Disaster Relief & Assistance Fund

St. Gabriel DRAF

Purpose:

The St. Gabriel Disaster Relief and Assistance Fund (DRAF) was created as a response to the catastrophic and unprecedented rainstorms and flooding in August 2025. The DRAF exists to provide one-time, compassionate supplemental financial assistance to parishioners in urgent need due to damage or losses related to the storms and subsequent flooding in August 2025.


The DRAF is intended as a source of last resort, to be used when the individual or family requesting assistance has explored other possibilities of assistance from appropriate sources (Dial 211, FEMA, insurance providers, etc.).


Distribution of the funds will be guided by prayer, fairness, and the mission of St. Gabriel Catholic Parish Church.


All funds received will be distributed by November 30, 2025, and no further donations or requests will be accepted or considered after October 14, 2025.


Review Committee:

  • St. Gabriel Parish Finance Council.
  • Members must commit to confidentiality, discretion, and pastoral sensitivity.


Areas of Support:

The fund primarily assists with:

  • Remediation, reconstruction, and replacement of property affected by the August 2025 storms and flooding.
  • 3.1.Exclusions:
  1. Legal fees.
  2. Long-term and repetitive expenses.
  3. Any expenses that would go against the tenets of our faith or the mission of the Church.
  4. Requests for non-essential or luxury expenses

Eligibility Guidelines:

Applicants must

  • Be active, registered parishioners of St. Gabriel Parish on August 10, 2025.
  • Demonstrate an immediate financial hardship related to lack of sufficient insurance coverage for this specific item or damage.
  • Provide reasonable documentation when applicable (pictures, insurance letter of denial, estimates for repairs or replacement, receipts, etc.).
  • Proof of income verification (IRS Form 1040) may be requested.



The Fund does not cover ongoing debt payments, business ventures, luxury purchases, or non-essential travel.


Application Procedure

  • Contact your insurance agency and determine any applicable coverage.
  • Call 211 and register.
  • Contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency about eligibility.
  • Submit the St. Gabriel DRAF Application, including all supporting documentation by October 14, 2025. The application can be emailed to Mike Reichert, mrecihert@stgabrielhubertus.org, or dropped off at the parish office.


Decision-Making Process:

  1. Application received with supporting documentation by October 14, 2025.
  2. Review by Parish Finance Council by October 31, 2025.
  3. Decisions are based on:
  • Urgency of need (life essentials come first)
  • Severity of Damage
  • Applicant’s connection to parish community
  • Household and Vulnerability
  • Availability of funds
  • Financial situation of the applicant
  • Other resources available to the applicant




Download Application PDF

Tradespeople:

If you are a skilled tradesperson and you are willing to donate your skills for free or at a reduced rate to parishioners within this program, please contact the parish office so that we can add you to our list.



To Donate:

We are asking that all donations and applications for the DRAF be received by the parish no later than October 14, 2025. If your household was not directly affected and you are able, we invite you to support your neighbors in need by contributing to the Fund.


Donations may be made by:

  • Dropping a check at the parish office or in the collection basket (please write DRAF in the memo line).
  • Participating in the September 20 & 21, 2025, second collection.
  • Give online by clicking the button below to be directed to our online giving platform, Givebutter.


Donate Here


Any questions or concerns should be directed to Mike Reichert, Director of Administrative Services, or Connie Helm, Director of Development.