UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OF THE USA
CONSISTORY OFFICE OF PUBLIC RELATIONS
PRESS RELEASE

Historic Flooding In Johnson City, New York
By Pam Scannell

Johnson City, NY and our surrounding local community have been devastated as a result of widespread flooding from Tropical Storm Lee which occurred September 7th, 2011. Our St. John Ukrainian Orthodox Church’s basement, library, museum, classrooms and boiler room received flooding and damage, as did our rectory basement, and boiler room in our Memorial Center.  Many of our own parishioners have been affected with loss of possessions or their homes. We currently have 15 families from St. John’s who have experienced damage due to flooding. We are reaching out to them all on a personal basis to assess their individual needs whether monetary, physical or emotional.  As we have talked to most victims about their loss from of this historic flooding, the devastation is overwhelming.   The tolls for many are great and the emotional burden has truly brought our parish members to tears and feelings of despair, depression and inability to cope. 

6,000 homes were impacted in our region and due to the degree of destruction and number of people affected; our community is struggling to provide relief for all those in need. As a parish family, we are reaching out to help our parishioners who have experienced flooding.  A plan is in place to offer financial, physical and emotional support.

If you would like to make a contribution to help our individual families or want to organize a relief effort in your community to make a difference for those in need, please respond to the address listed below. Due to the timely issue of repair and restoration, contributions should be received by October 31, 2011.

Please find it in your heart to contribute to this fund by immediately sending your donations to:

St. John the Baptist UOC
Sr. UOL Flood Relief Fund
P. O. Box 495
South Bound Brook, NJ 08880

Please give generously. With your help, we can truly make a difference for our family at St. John’s. Any assistance with this effort is greatly appreciated.