Who We Are
Mennonite Disaster Service is a volunteer network of Anabaptist churches that responds in Christian love to those affected by disasters in Canada and the United States.
While the main focus is on clean up, repair and rebuilding homes, this service touches lives and nurtures hope, faith and wholeness.
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MDS Videos
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The All-Unit Meeting for 2014 is scheduled for Feb 7-8, 2014, in Bakersfield, CA. Click here for more information.
Check on what is happening in your Region -
Latest News
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MDS closes Joplin, MO, project
April 18, 2013 -
Faces of Crisfield
March 21, 2013 -
MDS Helps Crabby Town
March 21, 2013 -
MDS, NY Mennonites Serve Local Churches, post-Sandy
December 3, 2012 -
Mennonite Disaster Service Launches “Hay Drive East” in Canada
November 26, 2012
Click below for all news articles
Quilted Wall Hangings
Since November 2004, MDS house dedications include the gift of a quilted wall hanging to the new homeowners. The wall hangings are made and donated through the Mennonite Church USA Mennonite Women's group. If you are a quilter and would like more information on this program, e-mail MDS at communications(at)mds.mennonite.net.
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Agatha puts on the finishing touches at the project in Bastrop, TX.
Stan works hard at the log house
Stan is making sure things will line up while working at the project in Joplin, MO.
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The Millersville University group helped clean up after the storm hit Jasper.
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An MDS volunteer removes drywall from a basement in Staten Island, NY. -photo courtesy of Emily Ralph, Franconia Mennonite Conference.
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Personal belongings, now garbage, are piled on the side of the road in Staten Island, NY, after Hurricane Sandy. -photo by E. Ralph, courtesy of Franconia Mennonite Conf.
Verna and Alvin cutting sheetrock for the staircase
Verna and Alvin cut drywall for the staircase at the project in Braithwaite, LA.
Walls studded at Mr Ben and Ms Judys
The walls are studded at Mr. Ben and Mrs. Judy's house in West Liberty, KY.
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Project Director, Phil, gives a quilt to Miss Joan. MDS repaired her NY home after it was damaged by Hurricane Sandy.
Betty-putting-up-siding at the Cordova, AL, project.
Betty putting up siding at the project in Cordova, AL.
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Short-term volunteer, Tyler, from Eastern Mennonite University, mudding in a home in Far Rockaway, NY.
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Client, Mr. Keith, shows Project Director, Harold Friesen, the water line on his house from Hurricane Sandy.
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Uncle-nephew team, Keith Wagler and Brett Fournier, finish the floor in Ms. Janet's house. Passing the service tradition on to the next generation.
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Esther and Bill McCoy sit with Mr. Jessie on his new front porch in Birmingham, AL. Jesse's house was the last home built by MDS in Birmingham after the 2011 tornados.
MDS investigates tornado damage in Oklahoma
Updated May 22, 2013
MDS Disaster Response Coordinator, Jeff Koller, and MDS OK Unit Chair, Jay Blough, along with former OK Unit Chair, Bill Mast and volunteer Roger Claassen spent Tuesday assessing the damage of the Sunday (May 19) tornados around Shawnee, OK. A crew with chainsaws and skid steers from the OK MDS Unit is on the ground today cleaning up debris. They are working in the small communities of Shawnee (Tecumseh, Pecan Valley and Bethel Acres).
“There is plenty of tree work,” says Bill. “Many of the other agencies went to Moore since that is where the focus is, so it makes sense to stay in this small community until things open up in Moore.” Local authorities are limiting access to Moore, OK, until first responder efforts are completed.
Mast said the MDS OK Unit chair, Jay Blough, will be calling in local crews and assets as needed.
This morning the group delivered a large generator to the Immanuel Baptist Church of Shawnee to power the church’s volunteer feeding efforts. After this task is complete, Koller and crew will continue to Moore, OK, for assessment.
Search and Rescue efforts are still under way, and according to Oklahoma VOAD (Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster), relief groups are urged “not to self-deploy.”
MDS enjoys a long standing partnership with the Oklahoma VOAD and anticipates working with partner agencies within the VOAD to respond to this disaster as needed.
MDS accepts monetary donations to support the clean up work in Oklahoma and other areas hit by disaster. MDS does not accept donations of food and other items.
Monetary donations can be made on the MDS website, mds.mennonite.net, in the US by phone (717) 735-3536, or by mailing a check to MDS, 583 Airport Road, Lititz, PA 17543. In Canada, call (866) 261-1274 or mail cheques to MDS, 6A-1325 Markham Rd, Winnipeg, MB R3T 4J6 Canada. To designate the donation for Oklahoma, write "Oklahoma Tornados 2013" in the memo line of the check.
MDS will be accepting funds for the cleanup and recovery efforts of the Oklahoma Tornados.
MDS featured on NBC Nightly News! MDS was featured on the NBC Nightly News on March 29, 2011. To see the story that features our Diamond, La. project, click on the link below:
Volunteer
MDS volunteers are known for repairing and rebuilding homes damaged by disasters. But it takes more than construction skills to serve with MDS. During the time that you serve as a volunteer, you will learn that MDS also restores lives.
Donate
Your contribution will help to connect volunteers with disaster survivors who need assistance on their path to recovery. MDS depends on the support of people who believe that disaster response is an important part of helping those who are in need.
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MDS Locations
Mennonite Disaster Service project locations are the physical response centers established by MDS in a disaster-affected community. In addition to housing the local MDS office, the projects function as base camps for MDS volunteers who need a place to eat and sleep while they serve. This section of the MDS website contains updated information about current MDS projects.
Project maps best viewed with Microsoft Explorer.