CWS Buckets, Blankets and Kits Reach Flood Survivors in Colorado


September 26, 2013

Fr. Lou Christopulos from St. Catherine Greek Orthodox Church in Greenwood Village, CO, examines CWS Kits delivered to Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Windsor, CO, for survivors of September flooding in Colorado. Photo: Daniel Christopulos/IOCC

Fr. Lou Christopulos from St. Catherine Greek Orthodox Church in Greenwood Village, CO, examines CWS Kits delivered to Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Windsor, CO, for survivors of September flooding in Colorado. Photo: Daniel Christopulos/IOCC

In areas of Colorado ravaged by floods earlier this month, CWS Emergency Clean Up Buckets, Blankets and Kits are getting into the hands of survivors.

In Longmont, Colo. — population 88,000 — some 7,000 houses were affected, said the Rev. Rick King, Senior Minister of the United Church of Christ, Longmont.  His congregation’s disaster response team is assisting local households with clean-up and recovery, and requested 250 CWS Emergency Clean Up Buckets.

“People need them,” King said.

“The sooner people can muck out, clean up and dry out their homes, the better, to prevent mold from developing,” he noted.  “Having clean up materials on hand helps make this possible.”

King added, “We chose to have the CWS buckets delivered to the joint city-FEMA Disaster Assistance Center so that people can get everything they need in one place.  They can register for federal assistance and pick up buckets, food and whatever else they need.”

CWS material goods also went to Denver and Windsor, Colo., by request of International Orthodox Christian Charities, a CWS emergency response program member.

Products including CWS Buckets, Kits and Blankets were delivered to Windsor, CO church and then sent to distribution centers in Loveland, Greeley, Ft. Morgan, and other areas. Photo: IOCC

Products including CWS Buckets, Kits and Blankets were delivered to Windsor, CO church and then sent to distribution centers in Loveland, Greeley, Ft. Morgan, and other areas. Photo: IOCC

The IOCC’s U.S. Country Representative, Daniel Christopulos requested 500 CWS Emergency Clean Up Buckets, 2,000 CWS Hygiene Kits and 360 CWS Blankets — divided evenly between the Salvation Army warehouse in Denver, Colo., and Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, Windsor, Colo., which are in turn getting the goods out to affected communities.

Christopulos noted at least two populations that are just now stepping forward for help: migrant workers who are reluctant to approach governmental agencies like FEMA but will seek help from a church, and people whose homes are in the mountains.

“Temperatures in the foothills have been in the low 40s, and there is snow in the mountains, so there’s definitely a need for the blankets,” Christopulos said.