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Need for Charity after West Virginia Flooding

Fr. Christopher Eid, Dean of St. George Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral in Charleston, West Virginia, writes:

Your Eminence, Yours Graces, Reverend Clergy and Esteemed faithful,

Master bless,

Greetings to you all and your families in the name of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ; I pray you all had a blessed feast of Saints Peter and Paul.

The entire state of West Virginia has undergone, recently, heavy rain which caused a deadly and devastating flood. Most of the counties in the State of West Virginia were severely affected by this flood disaster. At least eight counties are eligible to receive federal assistance by FEMA. Roads, houses, farms, businesses, malls and schools were, if not destroyed, at least damaged by water, sewage or mud. Many of the infrastructure is no longer qualified to be reoccupied or repairs will cost more than clean up and rebuild. Many of these areas lost power and drinking water. In addition to that sad situation, it was reported that in some areas there were looting incidents. To say the least it is an extremely sad and difficult situation.

Some newscasts report that the state is back in business after the rain has seceded. That is far from the truth. Large numbers of lives have not gone back to anything close to normal and may never go back to what was normal. Roads are not passable. Houses are not on even ground anymore. Cars destroyed. Trees have been uprooted and electrical wires destroyed. Supermarkets are no more. Water is not available for drinking or washing.

Phase one of the relief operation has started with clean up, yet it will take a long time. Phase two will focus on rebuilding and furnishing the houses. The hardest and most important work will start with building the human spirit. During all phases of supporting our community, food is in a great need.

St. George Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral in Charleston W.V. has opened the doors of its facilities to IOCC and is ready to help supporting their efforts on all levels. Mr. Dan Christopulos, the U.S. Country Representative for International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC), will be in Charleston WV with his Alpha team to lead IOCC efforts in the region. We know that the residents of the State of West Virginia are in this for the longest and we are part of that effort.

On behalf of all the members of St. George Cathedral, all Orthodox in West Virginia, I thank you for your prayers and thoughts for all those who were affected in West Virginia. We also very much appreciate any financial and other donations and contributions for this humanitarian work.

Yours in Christ,
Rev. Fr. Christopher Eid

Note: Checks for flood relief may be sent to the Archdiocesan Chancery in Englewood, NJ, payable to "Antiochian Archdiocese" and earmarked "West Virginia Flood Relief."