Fort Myers District Report

8/23/2004

First United Methodist Church, Punta Gorda:
The church is grateful to all the teams that have helped out there. North United Methodist Church and North Naples United Methodist Church responded quickly and have continued to provide help and support each day. The partnership and networking with Edgewater United Methodist Church has been great. The church is continuing to feed 600-700 people daily. They now have airconditioning in the New Life Center and have TV's, so it serves as a comfort station for many. The New Life Center is the only operable large space in the city, so it is in demand. The City Council will be using it for a council meeting. The sanctuary is operable, but no air in the fellowship hall.

Grace United Methodist Church, Cape Coral:
From the Rev. Jorge Acevedo, pastor of the church: I am overwhelmed at our people’s response to the hurricane. Since last Monday we have sent out over 350 unpaid servants into the community to cut down and haul away trees, patch roofs, offer food, medicine and. most of all, the Hope of the world, Jesus. Most of the people who went, themselves victims, without electricity and water and many with holes in their own roofs, served in Jesus’ name. I am convinced that our emphasis on missions is the reason this has happened so naturally here. It is such a privilege to pastor Grace Church! 

Cornerstone United Methodist Church, Naples:
A team from the church has been at work in Arcadia in the Sarasota District since last Monday. Volunteers have been cooking food on Main Street and providing hot meals and supplies to hundreds of people. In addition they have had United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) volunteers at work in the area. The church has become a drop station for supplies that are then delivered daily to the Arcadia area by their volunteers. 

North Naples United Methodist Church, Naples:
Took food, ice, drinks, supplies and work teams every day last week to different sites in Punta Gorda and were a significant part of the UMVIM team that blanketed the area on Sunday. 

UMVIM Teams From Naples and Fort Myers:
56 workers traveled to Cleveland United Methodist Church, Punta Gorda, and did a great job of assisting with cleanup and setting up a distribution center there. They then went to Port Charlotte where they sent teams out into the community to chop up downed trees and secure homes from the weather. They plan to repeat their efforts next Sunday afternoon as well. 

Anona United Methodist Church, Largo (St. Petersburg District):
Took a truckload of supplies to Port Charlotte United Methodist Church, Port Charlotte, on Friday and sent out work teams in the area. Those supplies were completely distributed by Sunday afternoon. 

Clewiston United Methodist Church Clewiston:
Work teams arrived at Cleveland United Methodist Church Friday and worked hard at the church and in the community. The fellowship hall at Cleveland had lost its roof and with a new plastic bonnet, this crew helped clean the fellowship hall and set it up as a distribution center.