Catholic Community Services has a key role in aiding those affected by the slide

ARLINGTONBy John Wolcott

Two months after the massive Oso mudslide swept away dozens of lives and homes, Catholic Community Services of Western Washington remains in neighboring communities, helping those affected by the disaster.

“CCS continues to provide direct support staff in both Arlington, at Immaculate Conception Parish, and in Darrington at the local family resource center,” said Vicki Howell, director of the CCS office in Everett. “We have a CCS disaster case manager working with service navigators on site, who direct people for finding solutions to their needs,” she added.

Donations continue growing to help those affected by the March 22 slide, which killed at least 41 people and destroyed 30 homes. As of May 16, more than $411,000 has been contributed to CCS, according to Debbie Sladek, operations/communications coordinator at CCS in Seattle. A week earlier, the tally was about $376,000, Howell said.

Those donations are being passed on to Father Tim Sauer, pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Arlington and St. John Vianney Mission in Darrington. The money is being used primarily to help victims’ families — Catholic or not— pay for funerals and related costs, including flowers and obituary notices.

Father Sauer estimated those costs will reach around $500,000, but he recently said donations have surpassed $600,000, including contributions through CCS and from churches, groups and individuals in the U.S. and beyond.

As recovery efforts continue for the long term, CCS staff are also working with the Red Cross and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help people in need in both communities.

May 22, 2014