Huber Heights pastor, son of Oregon District shooting victim collect donations for hurricane victims

By: Jenna Lawson
Updated: September 21, 2020 – 9:57 PM

SPRINGFIELD — The devastation caused by Hurricane Laura is personal for Aldersgate United Methodist Church Lead Pastor Rick Nance and Dion Green, survivor of the Memorial Day tornadoes and the Oregon District mass shooting.

Pastor Nance told News Center 7 he grew up in the Lake Charles, Louisiana, area and still has family and friends there. When Hurricane Laura hit, Pastor Nance said he wanted to do something to give back to those whose lives were upended by the storm.

“When we have been blessed, we simply pass it on,” he said. “I think it’s the right thing to do because we’re connected as Americans and as a people.”

Pastor Nance joined forces with Green – founder of the Fudge Foundation, named after his late father Derrick Fudge who was killed in the Oregon District mass shooting – to start a donation drive for the areas most affected in Louisiana.

Green endured the EF-4 tornado on Memorial Day as well and extensive damage was done to his home.

“I was in this situation last year… stressed out.. don’t know what the next move is,” he said. “Until people from around the country started coming in and helping.”

The two are asking for baby wipes, diapers, pet food, clothes, bottled water and other non-perishable food items to take to Lake Charles next month.