Camp Zion is being set up and will be operational starting on Monday, October 10.
General Information:
- Supply Donations: We have been receiving shipments of supplies. Thank you for your generous donations. Zion is NOT opening a distribution center. Donated items will be shared with school staff and families who have need, our other churches, and the rest will go to established distribution centers. Before sending anything, please contact us to see if it is needed.
- Monetary Donations: The best places to donate to are:
- Florida-Georgia District: https://flgadistrict.org/give/
- LCMS Disaster Response: https://www.lcms.org/givenow/disaster
All designated contributions will be used for Hurricane Ian expenses.
- Gift Cards: Sending gift cards is cheaper than paying for shipping on items. Gift cards are given to pastors to distribute to those in need. $50 is a good amount on a card. Cards needed are to: Walmart, Lowe’s, Home Depot, Shell, RaceTrack, or Visa
- Thrivent Action Team Cards: Thrivent is providing grants and donations with contributions. Action Team funds may be applied to the response. Send them with your volunteers for gas on the drive down or other expenses. Or send them to us for use for food or equipment for volunteers.
- Amazon Prime: It is usually cheaper to order items and have it shipped to Zion Lutheran Church – Hurricane Ian, 7401 Winkler Rd., Ft. Myers, FL 33919. We will try to post a Wish List.
- Do NOT Send:
- Clothing of any kind
- Water
- Adult diapers
- Flood buckets – we have over 300 available
- Hand sanitizer or wipes
Information for Volunteers:
- Housing: We have 24 cots and separate rooms for males and females inside Zion’s north wing. There is AC and restrooms.
- Showers: A 3-stall shower trailer was brought in from Christ Lutheran Church, Perry, GA. It has hot and cold running water.
- Meals: Breakfast and dinner will be provided by Zion members. Food and drinks will be available for lunches. Restaurants are opening. Grocery stores are open, but supplies are limited.
- Laundry: A regular-sized washer and dryer are on the shower trailer and may be used.
- Gasoline and Diesel: Gas stations are open and there are generally no lines or shortages.
- WiFi, Internet, Cell Coverage: Zion is up and running. Internet can be sporadic at times. Cell coverage is good, with a few areas still being worked on.
- Electricity: Zion has had electricity for a couple days, and more neighborhoods are coming up each day (about 17% still have no electricity). No need to bring generators.
- Background checks: Required for all volunteers. Checks must be done through the LCMS-LERT site. It may take a couple days before being cleared, so don’t wait until you are here to do it – you will not be allowed to work without being cleared.
- RV’s: Zion does not have electric, water, or sewer hookups for RV’s. Any RV’s will need to run on generator. Please contact us if you wish to bring an RV.
Bring:
- Sleeping: Cots are provided, so bring a sleeping bag or bedding and a pillow (air mattresses not provided.
- Meals: If you have any dietary needs, you are welcome to bring your own food. Since meals and lunch are provided, if you want snacks, please bring them. We have a few coolers, but you may want to bring your own for on the jobsite.
- Clothes: Bring at least 3 days of work clothes. Clothes should be old or “disposable” clothes that you won’t mind discarding when done. Boots – sturdy work boots are recommended; tennis shoes and open-toed shoes/sandals/flipflops are not allowed on the jobsite (ok for after work). Rubber boots are recommended. For chainsaw work steel toed boots are required, as is chainsaw PPE.
- Tools: It is always nice to work with your own tools and equipment – and we recommend that. We will have some tools and equipment available, so don’t worry about not having anything to work with if you don’t bring anything.
- Sunscreen and Bug Spray: It is still “summer” here – days are in the mid-80’s. It is easy to get sunburned. With so much water comes mosquitos. Be prepared for both.
Type of Work:
Muck-Out: The greatest need here, and the majority of the work will be muck-out and cleanup. Volunteers will wear N-95 masks, gloves, and appropriate work clothes (shorts and tank tops not allowed – save them for after work). Volunteers will remove household items, flooring, cabinets, drywall and insulation, possibly pressure washing, and mold mitigation (spraying Concrobium or ShockWave). A short muck-out orientation will be provided.
Chainsaw: Only those who have attended an LCMS LERT Chainsaw Safety class (or its equivalent) will be allowed to operate a running chainsaw. No exceptions. This training may be provided at Zion. All those operating or working close to a running chainsaw must wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), which includes chainsaw helmet with hearing protection, eye protection, chaps, steel toed boots, and gloves.
