The Lutheran School Association received this message from Jeremy Schamber, the Principal of Martin Luther School, in Joplin:
Dear Friends,
I finally have internet at home which means I can type on my laptop instead of on my phone. I want to give you a better update on Joplin. This information could change.
First of all, as stated earlier, all of our students, families, and staff are safe.
Mrs. Doner - Math Teacher - Lost their home and vehicles
Mrs. Robertson - Second grade teacher - lost their home and vehicles
Mrs. Randles - Preschool teacher - lost their home and vehicles (Husband is Joplin fire chief)
Mrs. Billings - Art teacher - severe damage to home
Miss Thorne - Kindergarten Teacher - Damage to home
Mrs. Cook - Science Teacher - Lost her brother
Pastor and Karen Mech - Parsonage has damage
Church - Will need new roof
School - Possibly new roof, will need boiler repairs, needs new hot water tank, broken window, play ground fence needs repairs, air conditioners need repairs.
12 church families lost their homes
8 school families lost their homes
A number of church and school families had severe damage to their homes
The school is safe for us to use as a hub for our community. Donations of food, water, clothes, toiletry, medical supplies, etc. are being collected at school. Thanks to St. Paul's Lutheran in Farmington, MO, we are using our school as a medical clinic staffed with Doctors and nurses from Farmington. We are providing meals at school for emergency personnel and for families within the community. We are also taking meals on Gators to the tornado struck area for anyone who needs them. Many churches and schools in the area are helping us with this awesome task. We have been involved in "search and rescue" and helping with families salvage what they need. Also, we are providing pastor care for our community at school and in the devastating areas.
Volunteers from all over the country are helping in this effort. We know Martin Luther School will be used all summer long to help our families and the community. We understand we may have a lot of donations but this is just the beginning. We are in this for the long haul.
We are all very humbled by your offers, support, and prayers. This has meant a lot to me personally especially during the these long days of little sleep.
Many of you are calling or emailing me about how you can help. I apologize for not replying. There is no email at school at this time. Listed below are a few ideas your ministry can help Joplin.
Gift Cards - JC Pennys, Wal-mart, Lowes (not Home Depot - destroyed), gas cards, Target, Sears, etc.
Monetary gifts for families and teachers
Monetary gifts for families to off-set tuition - many families lost jobs and it's to early to tell if and when they will rebuild.
Toys
Letters of encouragement to give to families as we distribute food, water, and other items into the community
Gatorade/Powerade - if you are close to Joplin
Any type of devotions which help families cope with this disaster
Donations may now be sent to the school:
Martin Luther School
2616 Connecticut Ave.
Joplin, MO 64804
You may use my home address since mail is still not being delivered to school.
2878 Southern Hills Drive
Joplin, MO 64804
If you have other ideas or have been through a catastrophe before and have other suggestions of how to help, please let us know. Don't hesitate to call or email. We are trying to plan long term but currently we are doing things day by day as needs arrive.
A very special thank you to the principals, staff, and families at Lockwood Lutheran, Freistatt Lutheran, Springfield Lutheran, and Farmington Lutheran schools. By the way, Farmington is five hours away. A crew arrived Tuesday, and another crew led by their principal Andy Sherrill arrived today.
Please continue to pray and drop words of encouragement. I will post them on a bulletin board for people to find comfort.
In His Guidance,
Jeremy Schamber, Principal
Martin Luther School
Immanuel Lutheran Church
Joplin, MO
417-624-1403 Ext. 3
TORNADO Recovery at Immanuel Lutheran Church - Joplin, Missouri
I finally have internet at home which means I can type on my laptop instead of on my phone. I want to give you a better update on Joplin. This information could change.
First of all, as stated earlier, all of our students, families, and staff are safe.
Mrs. Doner - Math Teacher - Lost their home and vehicles
Mrs. Robertson - Second grade teacher - lost their home and vehicles
Mrs. Randles - Preschool teacher - lost their home and vehicles (Husband is Joplin fire chief)
Mrs. Billings - Art teacher - severe damage to home
Miss Thorne - Kindergarten Teacher - Damage to home
Mrs. Cook - Science Teacher - Lost her brother
Pastor and Karen Mech - Parsonage has damage
Church - Will need new roof
School - Possibly new roof, will need boiler repairs, needs new hot water tank, broken window, play ground fence needs repairs, air conditioners need repairs.
12 church families lost their homes
8 school families lost their homes
A number of church and school families had severe damage to their homes
The school is safe for us to use as a hub for our community. Donations of food, water, clothes, toiletry, medical supplies, etc. are being collected at school. Thanks to St. Paul's Lutheran in Farmington, MO, we are using our school as a medical clinic staffed with Doctors and nurses from Farmington. We are providing meals at school for emergency personnel and for families within the community. We are also taking meals on Gators to the tornado struck area for anyone who needs them. Many churches and schools in the area are helping us with this awesome task. We have been involved in "search and rescue" and helping with families salvage what they need. Also, we are providing pastor care for our community at school and in the devastating areas.
Volunteers from all over the country are helping in this effort. We know Martin Luther School will be used all summer long to help our families and the community. We understand we may have a lot of donations but this is just the beginning. We are in this for the long haul.
We are all very humbled by your offers, support, and prayers. This has meant a lot to me personally especially during the these long days of little sleep.
Many of you are calling or emailing me about how you can help. I apologize for not replying. There is no email at school at this time. Listed below are a few ideas your ministry can help Joplin.
Gift Cards - JC Pennys, Wal-mart, Lowes (not Home Depot - destroyed), gas cards, Target, Sears, etc.
Monetary gifts for families and teachers
Monetary gifts for families to off-set tuition - many families lost jobs and it's to early to tell if and when they will rebuild.
Toys
Letters of encouragement to give to families as we distribute food, water, and other items into the community
Gatorade/Powerade - if you are close to Joplin
Any type of devotions which help families cope with this disaster
Donations may now be sent to the school:
Martin Luther School
2616 Connecticut Ave.
Joplin, MO 64804
You may use my home address since mail is still not being delivered to school.
2878 Southern Hills Drive
Joplin, MO 64804
If you have other ideas or have been through a catastrophe before and have other suggestions of how to help, please let us know. Don't hesitate to call or email. We are trying to plan long term but currently we are doing things day by day as needs arrive.
A very special thank you to the principals, staff, and families at Lockwood Lutheran, Freistatt Lutheran, Springfield Lutheran, and Farmington Lutheran schools. By the way, Farmington is five hours away. A crew arrived Tuesday, and another crew led by their principal Andy Sherrill arrived today.
Please continue to pray and drop words of encouragement. I will post them on a bulletin board for people to find comfort.
In His Guidance,
Jeremy Schamber, Principal
Martin Luther School
Immanuel Lutheran Church
Joplin, MO
417-624-1403 Ext. 3
TORNADO Recovery at Immanuel Lutheran Church - Joplin, Missouri
Please note that we do not have Jeremy Schamber's email address. If you have any questions please contact Debbie Cook at dcook@lsany.org
