Stan Hankins, PDA Associate for U.S. Disaster Response, recently returned from southern Florida. While there, he toured disaster sites, consulted with Tampa Bay and Peace River Presbyteries, attended the regularly stated meeting of Peace River Presbytery, and worshiped with congregations suffering from the effects of Charley.

Rick Ufford-Chase, Moderator of the 216th General Assembly, arrived on August 31. Ufford-Chase will be in the area until September 3 expressing the care and concern of the broader church and participating in some "hands-on" projects.

Hankins carried checks totaling $80,000 for response to Hurricane Charley. Half of the grant, funded by contributions designated for U.S. disaster response, will be used to meet the needs of hurricane survivors, while the other half, taken from the One Great Hour of Sharing offering, will help repair and restore damaged Presbyterian church property. Additional grants will be made to affected presbyteries and churches as funds are received in response to PDA's church wide appeal.

Members of the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Team (PDAT), with extensive experience in responding to major hurricanes, are continuing to volunteer their time and talent in southern Florida. Marian MacNeill is helping to coordinate volunteers in Peace River Presbytery, while husband George is working with the treasurers in Peace River and Tampa Bay. Katrine Anderson traveled from Duluth, Minnesota and will be on-site for three weeks to help Graham Hart and the presbytery's task force organize and manage the response. Jim Kirk is serving on the Peace River task force and just led a debriefing session for area pastors and spouses. Larry Graham-Johnson's extensive experience gained in response to Hurricane Andrew has been of great value.

Both Peace River and Tampa Bay Presbyteries are ready to receive and manage volunteers. Those interested may find more information and register on-line at Peace River Presbytery and/or Tampa Bay Presbytery.