From Rev. Alan Coe, UCC Florida Conference Disaster Response Coordinator

We watch from our homes and ask the question, “How can I help?” The easiest and best answer for churches in the Florida Conference is to give monetarily through the denomination. The link for Hurricane Harvey donations is here, and 100 percent of these donations will be used in direct aid to the recovery efforts. There is also a Harvey webpage here.

Prior to coming to Florida in 2012, I served as Director of Disaster Recovery after Katrina in New Orleans for six years. The images and rescues we have been watching from Harvey are reminiscent of Katrina. The work the UCC did in New Orleans would not have been possible without the generosity of people from across the denomination.

I encourage you to donate through the denomination. For those who may want to physically go and help, there will be opportunities down the road for that. If you are thinking of donating goods, that almost never works out well. It becomes more of a burden in the affected area. Monetary donations are the best way to help.
If you want to physically help now, there is a great opportunity in Florida with Hurricane Matthew recovery efforts. The link for information to help with Matthew recovery efforts is here.