“Overnight the water had risen about eight feet. We couldn’t get to the barn except by boat.” – Fred Kaethler, Manitoba He and his wife Sue would become dedicated volunteers serving with MDS for more than 50 years
HURRICANE CAMILLE
August 17, 1969 – At the time the most intense hurricane to strike the U.S., Camille devastated the Mississippi Gulf Coast. In the first six months, some 1,800 MDS volunteers traveled to Mississippi to help in the recovery effort. During the recovery, the need for cooperation among disaster agencies became apparent. In 1970 National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD) was founded with MDS, American Red Cross, and Salvation Army among its charter members. The goal was to improve coordination for the benefit of disaster survivors. Previously, help came haphazardly as various organizations assisted independently with unnecessary duplication of effort or some needs not met.
Kansas
Virginia
Mississippi
“It was a real lift to our spirits when I saw those C-130 cargo planes with all those MDS volunteers
who came to help.” – Ronnie Geil, MDS leader in Mississippi
PALM SUNDAY TORNADOES
April 11, 1965 – At least 37 tornadoes slammed through six states in the Midwest, killing some 279 people. “The destruction was awesome. Those tornadoes struck a cruel blow to the lives and hopes of many.... In this hour of need, the Mennonites truly appeared to be heavensent.” – Birch Bayh, U.S. Senator from Indiana Still a fledgling organization, MDS had little experience in responding to so massive a disaster. As stories of devastation quickly spread through Mennonite and Amish communities, volunteers from all around flocked to Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio to assist in cleanup and rebuilding. It was reported that MDS provided 6,342 volunteer days during the first nine days following the storm.
Minnesota
RED RIVER FLOODS
April 15–June 12, 1950 – C.N. Friesen, an early MDS leader, coordinated lists of volunteers who brought their skills and equipment to respond to major flooding along the Red River in Manitoba and Minnesota. “I think it broadened our field when we worked together with other groups as well,” said Friesen.
Gathering to serve
In late summer 1950, young people from local Mennonite Sunday school classes gathered for a series of picnics in the park in Newton, Kansas, where the idea of forming a disaster service organization was sparked.
In the 1950s, MDS units began sprouting up across Canada and the U.S.
Mississippi
Manitoba
1960
1950
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Early leaders in 1954 developed a “Do’s and Don’ts” list for volunteers. Among the “Do’s” is the following: “Take time to visit with those you are helping. The boost in morale and the spiritual help you can give is worth more than the work you can do. (This doesn’t mean you should not work; you came to work.)”
Indiana
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behind the hammer
behind the hammer
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