Episcopal Relief and Development is providing emergency assistance to victims of Hurricane Charley in central Florida. The deadly hurricane struck on August 13th and affected cities from the southwest Gulf Coast to Orlando and Daytona Beach.

Twenty-five counties were declared disaster areas by the federal government. The hurricane left thousands homeless after destroying almost 12,000 homes and causing major damage to some 19,000 others. Thousands remain without power.

In the central Florida, heavy winds uprooted trees and damaged utilities, roads, and public buildings in Osceola and Polk counties.

“Some parishioners in Central Florida will probably never be able to restore their homes, and along with government and insurance agencies we are attempting to help them cope,” stated the Rt. Rev. John W. Howe, Bishop of Central Florida.

On behalf of the Episcopal Church, Episcopal Relief and Development is providing emergency funds to the Diocese of Central Florida to supply critical aid such as food, temporary shelter, and other basic needs to affected families.

Please continue to pray for hurricane victims in Florida.

To help victims of Hurricane Charley, donate to the US Hurricane Relief Fund online at www.er-d.org or call (800) 334-7626, ext. 5129. Gifts can be mailed to: Episcopal Relief and Development, c/o US Hurricane Relief Fund, PO Box 12043, Newark, NJ 07101-5043.

Episcopal Relief and Development saves lives and builds hope in communities around the world. We provide emergency assistance in times of disaster. When the immediate crisis is over, we rebuild devastated communities and offer long-term solutions in the areas of food security, health care, and HIV/AIDS.