Catholic Charities of Arkansas is collecting money to aid with the recovery efforts in southeast Arkansas after tornadoes injured dozens and destroyed homes and businesses in the region Feb. 24.
Sister Mary Lou Stubbs, DC, Catholic Charities director, said the American Red Cross of Greater Arkansas reported Feb. 27, that as many as 200 homes were damaged, 50 of which were destroyed, in Desha, Union, Drew and Bradley counties. Dumas was the hardest hit city, with 160 homes damaged or destroyed.
Sister Mary Lou said the DePaul Health Center in Dumas, which is run by the Daughters of Charity Services of Arkansas, will be the base of operations for the Catholic Charities’ relief efforts.
Sister Mary Lou also requested $10,000 in emergency funds from Catholic Charities USA. The organization already sent 1,000 emergency kits for babies and 500 emergency hygiene kits. These were scheduled to arrive at the DePaul Health Center this week.
Pastor Father Phillip Reaves of Holy Child of Jesus Church in Dumas said the storms did not damage the mission church, which is located three blocks north of the path of the strongest tornado.
He said he was aware of one parish family in Dumas hospitalized after they lost their home and another family in Warren who was not injured but lost everything.
In a letter written by Msgr. J. Gaston Hebert, diocesan administrator, to be read at all Masses this weekend, he said, “One week ago we all witnessed the fragility of daily life as tornadoes ripped through the southern part of our diocese. Many people have been without basic necessities; some lost their homes, possessions and health, and many lost their employment …
“Our Catholic faith compels us to want to do something to help. I offer that our first response be to join in prayer … Secondly, I ask that a special collection be taken up in all the parishes of our diocese this weekend to assist the many individuals and families who need our help. May we be a sign of hope to all who are facing the struggle and difficulty of rebuilding their lives.
“Catholic Charities of Arkansas is organizing a response that will assist with the relief and recovery needs of the survivors of this disaster. We maintain a Disaster Relief Fund at the diocese that we will use to respond to the immediate and longer-term needs of our sisters and brothers in the storm damaged communities, including Dumas.”
Donations can be mailed to Disaster Relief Collection, Diocese of Little Rock, Diocesan Finance Office, P.O. Box 7565, Little Rock, AR 72217.
Fund established to help tornado recovery in Dumas
