Families weren’t the only victims overwhelmed by Hurricane Katrina and, more recently, Hurricane Rita and Wilma.

Scores of Awana-registered churches in Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Alabama and Florida have felt the consequences – in lives affected as well as monetarily – and the numbers grow by the day. Some churches have been severely damaged. Others are reaching out to aid affected members of their congregation and community. Still others are pouring funds and manpower into ministering to evacuees arriving on their doorstep from around the storm-ravaged region.

As a result, many of these churches are simply not equipped to operate Awana this year. And the Awana missionaries they financially support are preparing to survive on reduced faith-based funds as they care for churches that can't meet previous giving commitments.

You can help.

Here is a map showing the location of Awana-registered churches in the region affected by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma. Click here for a full-size map.

The Awana Hurricane Relief Fund has been established to enable impacted churches to purchase Awana materials when they are ready to restart club. The fund will also reimburse Gulf Coast missionaries for expenses as they extend themselves to meet their area churches' critical needs.

So many countless children and families need the hope of Christ during this time of tragedy. Local churches can deliver that hope with our assistance. Offer boys and girls a lifeline of support by giving to the hurting clubs and missionaries in our Awana family.