INDIANAPOLIS
Methodists to collect flood supplies for region
United Methodist pastors and church members will donate flood supplies Saturday at the special session in Indianapolis uniting Indiana's two regional church conferences.
Attendees will drop off flood bucket cleanup kits, health supplies and money to be trucked to Northwest Indiana, according to a news release from the church. These buckets may be distributed through local relief centers, according to the release.
GARY
Furniture, clothing for flood victims arrive in city
Gary Mayor Rudy Clay was on hand Wednesday morning at the Hudson-Campbell Fitness Center when two semitrucks arrived with furniture and clothing for flood victims.
The clothing and donations are among items received from across Northwest Indiana to aid victims of the September floods. The trucks transported the items from the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Munster that served as a relief site after the disaster. The Hudson-Campbell Center is located at 455 Massachusetts St.
MUNSTER
Salvation Army sets its long-term recovery plan
The Lake County Salvation Army released its latest recovery plan for all disaster regions. The statement was released Wednesday. The plan, which will take effect on Monday, consists of partnering with support agencies and FEMA as the assessment process begins. Depending on FEMA time frames, the Salvation Army will continue to support residents, but after completion of assessments, will adjust to dealing with unmet needs.
Captain Alex Norton said the Salvation Army is always more concerned about people, "that's why we will assist our communities until everyone can turn their porch lights on and children can run safely through neighborhoods."
The Salvation Army is encouraging all families affected by this disaster to continue to call their offices so that they can connect families to the right services.
Monetary donations marked specifically "Disaster Relief" may be sent to the Salvation Army of Lake County, Ind., 8225 Columbia Ave., Munster, IN 46321 or made online at http://www.salvationarmyusa.org or by calling (800) SAL-ARMY.
MUNSTER
Permit fees for flood work waived until March
The town of Munster reminded residents that permits are needed to do work to restore their homes, however, those permit fees will be waived on flood-related improvements until March.
Permits can be obtained through the Town Hall's Building Department. Residents are asked to call the Building Department to schedule an appointment if the electrical or gas problem has been corrected, and their residence has been re-energized.
MUNSTER
Fagen Pharmacy will still serve customers
Fagen Pharmacy, which was located on the first floor of the Hammond Clinic on Calumet Avenue, also lost everything as a result of the September floods. In late September, Fagen Pharmacy opened an emergency location at 5550 Hohman Ave. in Hammond to continue serving its customers.
A spokesman said all was lost in the floods with the exception of patient files, which are always safe. They said customer prescriptions can be filled at any Fagen Pharmacy. If getting to the new location is a challenge, Fagen Pharmacy officials say customers can utilize the company's prescription delivery service offered by all stores in the area.
INDIANAPOLIS
Unemployment aid is available due to disaster
As a result of the recent federal disaster declaration issued for Northwest Indiana, some workers in Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties may be eligible for special disaster unemployment benefits. The disaster declaration was issued as a result of the flood damage caused by Hurricane Ike that occurred Sept. 12-14.
To be eligible for assistance, workers or self-employed individuals, such as farmers, must be unemployed as a result of a federally declared major disaster.
The deadline for affected workers to file is Oct. 22.
Persons can apply at the local WorkOne centers or online at http://www.in.gov/dwd. To find the nearest WorkOne location, go to http://www.in.gov/dwd/WorkOne/regions.html.
MUNSTER
Oct. 12 concert to aid recent flood victims
Family Christian Center is hosting a concert of local performers including the Munster High School marching band. They have invited a number of local stars to participate in the concert, which will begin at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 12.
Pastor David Jordan Allen said it will bring to light immediate needs for Munster residents who suffered from the flood. There is no fee but a collection will be taken up during the event.
MUNSTER
Training to help people recover from flood is set
Case management training is tentatively scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 21 and 22 at Ridge United Methodist Church, 8607 Columbia Ave. in Munster. Case managers will help people recover from the flood.
Christy Smith, from the United Methodist Committee on Relief, will lead the mandatory training. Lunch will be provided. Registration is available by calling the church at (219) 838-4770 or by filling out the registration form on the Ridge Church Web site at http://www.ridgeumc.org/flood.
