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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Latest News
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MDS church-building helps bring hope back to Alabama community
April 4, 2012 -
Sweet Homes in Alabama
February 23, 2012 -
These MDS workers cook up a storm
October 25, 2011 -
MDS Minot needs you this winter.
October 25, 2011 -
No such thing as an average MDS volunteer
October 24, 2011
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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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Volunteer tapers and mudders with Pastor Dwight at his home in New Orleans, LA.
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Homeowner, Mr. Doug, receives the keys to his newly finished home from New Orleans Project Director Gil Friesen.
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Volunteers from Rosedale Bible Institute frame walls at Ms. Robin's house in Bastrop, TX.
Marlene and Eva cutting spindles for the porch
Marlene and Eva cutting spindles for the porch at the RV project in Cordova, AL.
Volunteers-measure-and-cut-drywall-for-Pastor-Duplessis-home
Volunteers measure and cut drywall for Pastor Charles' house in New Orleans.
Volunteer-David-cleans-switch-plate-at-Pastor-Charles
David cleaning switch plates at a home in New Orleans, LA.
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Tornado damage in West Liberty, KY. Local MDS volunteers are in the area and are working with local authorities to determine where and when volunteers are needed.
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Jerry Klassen, Disaster Response Coordinator, and Kevin King, Executive Director, assess damage in West Liberty, KY. -photo by Paul Hunt
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Executive Director, Kevin King, talks with MDS volunteers in West Liberty, KY. -photo by Paul Hunt
Loading turkeys at Grant Nebels farm after tornado
Volunteers move turkeys from a destroyed barn to a safe location. The barn was destroyed in the tornado that hit near Wayland, IA, on May 3.
MDS volunteers respond to recent tornados.
Volunteers worked through the night, loading an estimated 1,000 turkeys on tractor trailers Thurs., May 3, after a tornado destroyed several barns. An EF2 tornado struck approx. one mile south of Wayland, IA, and cut a four-mile path of destruction. MDS Iowa Coordinator, John Schrock and MDS volunteer, Wilbur Litwiller investigated in the area to assess the needs for additional volunteers.
Landis Homes residents partner with MDS to create a good night’s rest.
On Wednesday, Apr. 4, Landis Homes Retirement Community residents toured the new MDS bunk trailer that they were instrumental in creating. Without their generosity, this valuable facility would not exist.
This is not your normal trailer, RV or camper. This bunk trailer can sleep 18 people, has three showers, dressing rooms, two restrooms, a utility room and two sinks. The trailer is 51 feet long with 44 feet of livable space.
It’s big enough to sleep a very large family, but a different sort of family will be using it. The trailer will be towed to communities where MDS volunteers are working to help disaster survivors clean up and rebuild. The MDS volunteers will sleep in the bunk trailer at night and work in the community during the day.
The need for a bunk trailer came to light in the spring of 2011, after multiple tornados ravaged the US.
After a disaster strikes, the phones at the MDS headquarters in Lititz, PA, ring off the hook. Many of these calls are from MDS volunteers, ready to give their time to help at the disaster location. Some are day volunteers, driving in to work for the day, then heading home to sleep. Some volunteers work for a week or more. But in a tornado devastated area, where do these volunteers sleep?
Sleeping accommodations can be difficult to arrange in disaster zones. Hotels may not be available and fire codes restrict the use of churches or other buildings without sprinkler systems and proper egress doors. A properly equipped bunk trailer could make it easier to house volunteer groups overnight.
The bunk trailer project was born after a number of factors converged.
After hearing the idea, a generous donor gave $10,000, and challenged Kevin King, MDS Executive Director, to find matching funds. Landis Homes residents stepped up to this challenge and raised over $29,000 for the bunk trailer project. To reach the final goal, the original donor added another $3,000 to the total.
Thanks to the work and heavily discounted rates of MH Eby Trailers and Haller Enterprise (Haller Enterprise did all the HVAC, plumbing and electrical work on the trailer), the bunk trailer came to life.
After the trailer’s debut at Landis Homes, where residents were able to tour the trailer and write messages of hope and encouragement on one of the bunk boards that will be in the trailer, it’s headed to West Liberty, KY, where it will be parked at the West Liberty Mennonite Church. West Liberty was struck by a tornado on March 2, 2012. MDS volunteers have been working in the area, and having a place to sleep will allow more of the MDS volunteer “family” to help residents in West Liberty rebuild their lives.
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:
To donate, send click on Donate on this website, or send checks to MDS, 583 Airport Road, Lititz, PA 17543 in the US, or in Canada, 6A-1325 Markham Rd Winnipeg, MB R3T 4J6 CANADA. MDS does not accept material donations.
As more information becomes available, this website will be updated.
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.