Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
In the wake of Hurricane Helene, as we continue to support our communities across Western North Carolina affected by this disaster, I am pleased to share with you the members of the diocesan Disaster Relief and Response Team that I have assembled.
The Venerable Brenda Gilbert will serve as the Assistant Coordinator for Donations and Volunteers. As many of you know, Archdeacon Brenda stepped in to assist with coordinating both communication and relief efforts just hours after the storm hit. Brenda will continue her ongoing involvement as our point person for organizing donations of all kinds and connecting volunteers with opportunities to serve.
Mr. Dan Gilbert will serve as the Assistant Coordinator for Logistics and Technology. Dan, a retired Major in the United States Army, also stepped in to assist with communication and technology immediately after the storm hit. Dan brings years of experience in helping provide logistical support to large organizations and crisis situations. His gifts will greatly benefit our efforts in supporting our communities as we begin to rebuild.
The Rev. Dn. Kelsey Davis will serve as the Bishop’s Deputy for Disaster Response and Recovery. Many of you know Kelsey from her years as the Director of Blue Ridge Service Corps and Campus Missioner at UNCA and Western Carolina University. Kelsey brings years of experience and training in community engagement and organization, which is essential to this role. Kelsey’s gifts in building and sustaining healthy relationships across the various sectors of our communities will be invaluable to all of us in our work.
Utilizing funding from Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) as well as other generous donors, this team will lead our efforts to discern and develop a long-term rebuilding plan in partnership with non-profit, local, state, and federal organizations.
Please join me in offering our gratitude for these members of our diocesan Disaster Relief and Response Team and the ways they will support all of our efforts toward rebuilding our communities.
Faithfully,
The Rt. Rev. Bishop José McLoughlin
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