Concert benefits victims of Hurricane Charley

ST. PETERSBURG -First United Methodist Church here is the host site of a concert Sept. 12 that will benefit victims of Hurricane Charley.

The concert begins at 7 p.m. and features Susie Luchsinger, a multiple Christian Country Music Award (CCMA) winner and Dove Award Nominee. Luchsinger is also Reba McEntire's sister.

A love offering will be taken for Hurricane Charley victims in south Florida.

Congregations across the conference are invited to the event, which will also honor the volunteers who have been working to provide relief to affected areas.

To learn more about Luchsinger visit http://www.SusieLuchsinger.com.  For assistance in promoting the concert call the church at 727-894-4661.

Bilingual translators needed in Arcadia, Nocatee

LAKELAND - Bilingual translators are needed to help victims of Hurricane Charley in Arcadia and Nocatee complete paperwork for assistance while waiting in line at American Red Cross centers there.

Residents have been arriving as early as 1:30 a.m. to receive assistance, and translators are needed to help speed the process, according to American Red Cross officials.

American Red Cross centers are located at St. Paul Catholic Church in downtown Arcadia, at the college there, and at the RCMA center in Nocatee. Individuals interested in volunteering should first contact Viviana Carloss at 239-707-5149 or DR810-05LHR@usa.RedCross.org.  Volunteers will receive training before beginning work with residents.

.Tenemos gran necesidad de voluntarios/as bilingües para llenar los formularios de la gente que espera en línea para recibir los servicios de la Cruz Roja en Arcadia y Nocatee. Los voluntarios pueden contactar a Viviana Carloss, tel: 239-707-5149 Email: DR810-05LHR@usa.RedCross.org 
Los centros de la Cruz Roja están localizados en la Iglesia Católica de Arcadia, en el Colegio, y en el centro RCMA (Redlands Christian Migrant Association) de Nacotee. La gente está haciendo filas de espera desde la 1:30 AM. Los voluntarios pueden acelerar el proceso entrevistando a la gente en las filas. De esa manera el trámite se agiliza una vez que la persona es atendida por el asesor de la Cruz Roja.
 
Deben contactar a Viviana antes de presentarse en los centros de ayuda, de manera que ella los esté esperando para entrenarlos en el proceso de la entrevista.
 

Foundation, Credit Union offer special loans in wake of storm

The Florida United Methodist Foundation and Florida United Methodist Credit Union are offering special loans to help churches and members recover from Hurricane Charley.

The Foundation is providing emergency 12-month, 0 percent interest loans of up to $25,000 per church for churches damaged by Hurricane Charley. A total of $500,000 is available for the program. Sharing Plan loans of up to $50,000 per church are also available to churches at 0.5 percent above the Sharing Plan interest rate, adjustable annually. The current loan rate is 2 percent.

For more information on these emergency loan programs contact the Foundation at 1-800-282-8011, extension 106; foundation@fumf.org; or http://www.fumf.org. 

The Credit Union is providing unsecured disaster loans of up to $5,000 at 5.5 percent interest and with payments up to 24 months for all members of the credit union. Members should apply online at http://www.unitedmethodistcu.com.