DOK parishioners’ donations for flood relief set a record
The East Tennessee Catholic
East Tennessee’s Catholic faithful stepped up when it counted in response to the devastating floods that overwhelmed communities like Erwin and Newport Sept. 26-27.
That response in resources and financial support has been, well, overwhelming.
According to the Diocese of Knoxville, more than $600,000 has been collected and will go toward disaster relief in upper East Tennessee.
Shannon Hepp, chief financial officer for the Diocese of Knoxville, reports that as of Dec. 10, $618,296 has been raised for the effort, including $43,267 that the diocese collected for local disasters in a prior year that had not been used.
Monetary collections just for Hurricane Helene relief since the devastating flooding Sept. 26-27 are more than $575,000.
That amount includes a $10,000 grant from the Catholic Extension Society, $1,500 from Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre of the Archdiocese of Louisville, and $20,344 from St. Catherine Parish in Columbia, Tenn., in the Diocese of Nashville.
Bishop Mark Beckman expressed gratitude for the many people who came forward to aid in the disaster-relief effort by donating supplies, assisting in serving all those impacted by the floods, and giving money to purchase much-needed food, housing, and personal supplies.
“It is so moving to witness the generosity of our people in reaching out to the needs of those affected by remnants of Hurricane Helene. The goodness of our people reflects their abiding love and faith,” Bishop Beckman said.
In addition to the many people who generously donated funds, Bishop Beckman also is thankful for the organizations that urgently responded to the flood victims, including Catholic Charities of East Tennessee, Catholic Charities USA, St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic, parishes and parish priests, deacons, Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul groups, and Catholic Extension Society.
