Sending Relief After Midwest Tornadoes | | Photo from Convoy of Hope | |
On Friday, March 14, a line of severe weather pushed through the Midwest, bringing tornadoes, straight-line winds, and heavy rain, affecting millions of people. You or your loved ones, might have even been hunkered down, awaiting the storm.
It’s a terrible feeling, preparing for the worst, and sometimes, the worst happens. Over 50 tornadoes were confirmed across the Midwestern United States.
In Missouri multiple EF-3 tornadoes struck small towns, destroying everything in its path. Communities woke up to unrecognizable towns, with hundreds of homes and businesses affected.
But, when disaster strikes, Midwest Mission is ready to respond!
Our partner, Convoy of Hope in Springfield, Missouri, was on the ground the day after the tornadoes, assessing the needs, and handing out food, water, and relief supplies.
Convoy of Hope called Brad Walton, Midwest Mission’s Director of Operations, over the weekend, to find out what supplies we had available to send.
Because of your generosity after Hurricane Helene, we had almost completely replenished our disaster relief kits and supplies. Brad was able to tell Convoy that Midwest Mission had more than enough to help.
They requested:
- 936 Cleaning Kits to help families whose homes were damaged begin cleaning up the debris
- 130 Menstrual Hygiene kits and 1,020 Hygiene Kits to help those who lost everything, have been displaced from their homes, or don’t have the ability to purchase items in stores.
- Games and puzzles to bring joy to children, even in the midst of some of their most difficult moments.
The supplies will be picked up on Monday, March 24, and will be delivered to Convoy of Hope’s World Distribution Center in Springfield, MO. From there, the supplies will be sent out to the affected communities, such as Poplar Bluff, MO, West Plains, MO, and Cave City, Arkansas. The value of this shipment is $94,668.00.
You can be a part of bringing hope to people in crisis, by helping us have the supplies needed to quickly respond to disasters. Donate at midwestmission.org/donate, or send a check to 1001 Mission Dr, Pawnee, IL 62558. Your monetary donations will help us replenish supplies that we will send, so that we are ready for the next ask, and the next disaster.
| | Shipment to the Dominican Republic | | |
The 10th international shipment of the year went to the Dominican Republic!
We partnered with Food For The Poor to send this load of supplies to the Fundación Cruz Jiminián. The shipment included:
- 840 Student Kits
- 20 Bikes
- 16 Wheelchairs
- 38 Stacking chairs
- 55 Tarps donated by Lamar Advertising
- 92 School desks (donated by a school)
- Blankets, disposable diapers, exam gloves, dry wipes, bed pads, and games!
The value of this shipment is $129,579.00.
Hundreds of hands made this shipment happen. From collecting wheelchairs at home, to assembling Kits at Midwest Mission, to helping load the shipment, each part of the process is vital — YOU are vital to this mission. Thank you for your generosity!
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Midwest Mission has been blessed with volunteers across the Midwest who give of their time, energy, and resources to assist us in carrying out God’s mission to help those in need. Some of these volunteers use the facilities God has blessed them with to provide a donation collection point for needed supplies. These are our Permanent Collection Sites! You can find their contact information at www.midwestmission.org/permanent-collection-sites.
What's Happening @ Permanent Collection Sites?
Asbury UMC, Sioux Falls, SD – Lloyd Petersen is excited about bringing a group of volunteers to our Jefferson, IA location in June. He will also be heading that way in the next couple of weeks with donations. Keep spreading the word!
Riverside UMC, Park Rapids, MN – Spike Wellman is working to create a “bike push” later this year. As part of our Micro Business core area, bicycles are needed around the world not only as transportation to work, but as a potential business.
Nebraska City FUMC, Nebraska City, NE – Howard Orndorff will be working with a team in May to tear down bleachers from a local school. The wood will be recycled and used to make school desks in our Illinois location. This is a hard job. Thank you for helping to plan this event.
Glenview UMC, Glenview, IL & New Lenox UMC, New Lenox, IL – Ethel Doyle has collected seven sewing machines at the Glenview location and is expecting more to come in. They also have a collection of Student kits waiting to make their way to our warehouse. Every volunteer and every donor plays a part in helping those in need.
Forest Hill UMC, Peoria, IL – Deb Nuske shared that a local Mennonite School has asked her church to teach their students how to weave sleeping mats on the loom and how to make the one-handled school bags. The school needs ongoing projects for their students and we need volunteers. Win-win!
Trinity UMC, Elk Mound, WI – Joel Certa-Werner is leading his congregation and their four looms to challenge other local churches. He is working to set up a sleeping mat competition with a prize for the winner. Thank you for sharing our vision with your community.
Become a Permanent Collection Site
We need more Permanent Collection Sites! If your congregation is interested in becoming a new Permanent Collection Site, please contact teresa@midwestmission.org for more information. All you need is free space, and a willingness to be a part of the mission!
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Father, we thank you for the everlasting love and care from you. For the ways you lead us and care for us without every growing tired. We pray for your continuous love and strength so that we can do good work through you!
“Do you not Know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom."
-Isaiah 40:28
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Our 2024 Impact Report is available for download! Using the button below, you can download the report and share with someone you know! | | |
Please consider collecting and donating:
- NIGHT PADS!
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Baby Sleepers (0-6 month)
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Panties (sizes: child 10-14, women 5-8)
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Diaper Pins (with plastic closures)
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Onesies (0-6 month)
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Liquid Household Cleaner (56-80 oz total; no spray bottles)
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Leather Work Gloves (size Large)
You can purchase items on Amazon here.
Sewing Patterns and instructions here.
You can bring items to Midwest Mission or a Permanent Collection Site near you — or send them through the mail to 1001 Mission Drive, Pawnee, IL 62558.
| | Download the March Church Bulletin! | | |
Midwest Mission Weekly Projects
Work of the Mission Volunteers
Work Done
Onsite:
- Bike Shop
- Desk Shop (18)
- Poly Shop
- Sewing Machine Repair Shop (13 treadle)
- Cleaning
- Items Counted into Inventory
- Offsite Pack Prep
- 364 Blessing Bags
- 240 Home Care Kits
- 140 Personal Dignity Kits
- 910 Student Kits
Offsite:
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320 Blessing Bags, Church of the Pines, Minocqua, WI
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1,160 Blessing Bags, Asbury UMC, Kankakee, IL
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3,000 Blessing Bags, Tampico UMC, Tampico, IL
Disbursements:
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CICIM, Decatur, IL. 1,446 Pieces of Furniture and 388 Towel Items. Value: $8,888.00
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St. Martin De Porres, Springfield, IL. 250 Cleaning Supplies, 106 Toys, and 40 Bikes. Value: $5,554.00
Midwest Mission is able to do this work because of your generous donations and willingness to volunteer. Thank you!
| | Share some GOD news with those you love! | Do you have family or friends that need some GOOD News - GOD News - to uplift them? If so please click on the button below and share the link provided. The more we can spread the word about the work God is doing here, the more we can make the world a happier place. | | | | |
Here are three ways you can get involved at Midwest Mission:
1. Host an Off-Site Event
We have several hands-on mission opportunities you can host at your location! Visit midwestmission.org/off-site to learn more. Contact Melissa Brookens at 217-483-7911 or melissa@midwestmission.org to book your event or for questions.
2. Serve From Home
You can serve people around the world from right at home! From sewing, to assembling kits, there's something for everyone. Learn how at midwestmission.org/at-home.
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Volunteers at Work
March 17-21, 2025
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Tony & Rus DeBonis
Waterloo, IA
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DeBonis Family #2
Illinois and Iowa
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St Joesph UMC
St Joesph, IL
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Douglas Avenue UMC
Springfield, IL
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Union Reunion
St. Louis, MO
| | We are so grateful for all our local and regular volunteers, and the time they give towards volunteering at Midwest Mission. We appreciate their passion and dedication to the ministry! | | | | |
