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Tornado -- April 24, 2010

Catholic Charities, Inc. Disaster Preparedness & Response is currently working with victims of the April 24, 2010 storms.  Your support is much needed in further serving those devastated areas.  Urgent needs include:  

Disaster Story

Do you know where Weir, MS is?  I did not.  But, after the severe weather system of April 24th, I will never forget it. The community of Weir was devastated by the storm.

Catholic Charities, Inc. Disaster Response team is activated after emergencies to provide assistance for those who fall through the gaps, the most vulnerable in our community. We divided our efforts between Yazoo City and Weir, since both areas sustained heavy damage.  I went to Weir.  It was there where I met with our local parish leader, Sr. Alies Therese. 

 Now Sr. Alies was hammering a "free meals here" sign in the front yard when we pulled up at he Mt. Mariah Baptist church where her and several other faith based leaders had set up a community stop.  Sister immediately introduced me to those she had been working with, and then took us to see the damage and meet those who had survived.  We went to White Rd., where like most small rural communities many families lived on the same street.  We met Ms. Ethel, whose home was completely destroyed but one wall.  Ms. Ethel asked me politely to sit on her couch, which weathered and torn from the storm was sitting on the slab of what use to be a floor.  We worked with Ms. Ethel and moved on to the next house, the Carters.

The Carters were not as lucky.  The Carter's children and grandchildren lived in a trailer next to them.  Their niece and 3 month old baby lived in the house near them as well.  Mr. Carter relayed the most horrific story I have ever heard about the loss of two of his grandchildren and his baby niece.  Both Mr. Carter's son and daughter-in-law are hospitalized.  Their trailer has yet to be located. We have gone back to White Road many times.  The families remain near their property locations with more and more loved ones surrounding them.  I don’t know the reason for such tragedy, but I do know that God and love is in their midst. 

Sr. Alies and our team prayed with the survivors and we continued and continue to provide assistance for those in the community.  Sr. Alies is there in the community every moment, helping with distribution of goods, holding a hand, searching for loved ones who have not been located.  And, amazingly all the while kind, patient and providing a sense of peace. 

We continue to work in Weir and the surrounding communities need seems to grow day-by-day.  However, the continued love and support and contributions continue to rise to the needs of the community.  Many may not know about the devastation in Weir, MS, but those that do will never be the same.   

For further information please contact the following:  
STORM AND DISASTER INQUIRIES OR NEEDED ASSISTANCE:
Chamon Williams
(601) 850-9532
 Michael Ann Galliano Oropeza
(601) 326-3725 OR (601) 960-8490
Greg Patin
(601) 355-8634

DONATION INQUIRIES:
Michael Thomas
(601) 326-3714

VOLUNTEER INFORMATION/OPPORTUNITIES:
Kami Le  Vern
(601) 624-3001

Catholic Charities, Inc. would like to thank the following sponsors for assisting us as we continue to serve the poor and vulnerable affected by the tornado.

Wal-Mart
Pepsi Americas/Pepsi Bottling Group North Mississippi
Comcast
Catholic Charities USA