In May, the Diocese of Virginia received a wildfire relief grant from Episcopal Relief & Development after over one hundred wildfires broke out in Shenandoah County, Page County, Shenandoah National Park and Valley, and Fort Valley earlier this year.
“With prayers of thanksgiving, I am profoundly grateful to the ministry of the Very Rev. Kathleen Murray who led relief efforts in the Shenandoah Region, responding to those who were affected by the fires. Our communicants and clergy came together with support and resources, to provide essential aid to those in need. Partnering with Episcopal Relief and Development enabled that support to grow exponentially, providing significant assistance to those who sustained tragic loss.”
– The Rev. Canon d’Rue Hazel, Canon to the Ordinary
The wildfire relief grant has been dispersed to several families who lost everything in the fires. The Very Rev. Kathleen Murray, Dean of the Southern Shenandoah Valley Region, led the relief efforts to support those affected. Grant recipients shared the following quotes.
“My wife had to take two weeks off work to finalize a new house to rent. We lost everything we ever owned from the basics to every family [heirloom] ever inherited that can’t be replaced. Thank God no one was injured.”
– Joshua S.
“I lost everything I owned. This will help me rebuild my life. Thank you, so much. May God bless you all.”
– Susie M.
“My family lost everything.”
– Shelia B.
“I walked out with the clothes on my back. We lost our home and all our property. This will help a lot. There’s so much that insurance doesn’t cover. I had to pay almost $2,300 for the propane tanks that were destroyed.”
– Maxine C.
Original Article Published May 2, 2024
In March, over one hundred wildfires broke out in Shenandoah County, Page County, Shenandoah National Park and Valley, and Fort Valley as a result of downed power lines.
The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia has received a grant for wildfire relief efforts from Episcopal Relief & Development. Through this grant, local Episcopal congregations will be able to provide cash assistance to families and volunteer firefighters who have been affected by the fires.
The Rev. Canon d’Rue Hazel, diocesan Canon to the Ordinary, worked closely with Episcopal Relief & Development to secure this grant.
“We thank God for Episcopal Relief & Development and this grant. It will further our wildfire relief efforts in the Southern Shenandoah Valley Region.”
Tamara Plummer, Senior Program Officer, Global Program, Episcopal Relief & Development, shares these encouraging words.
“We are grateful for the diocese’s partnership with us in helping those who have been financially impacted by the wildfires. Using their asset-based approach and working together with both church and community partners has allowed them to have a larger impact than if they went at it alone.”
Read Episcopal Relief & Development’s press release regarding this grant.