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JYM Retreats Service Project

Hurricane Katrina Relief Effort: By now it seems like most schools, faith communities, civic organizations and everything in between have launched some kind of response and support for the people impacted by this terrible tragedy. And I am hoping that our program can do its part as well. I  have been networking  with a local Baptist church whose pastor and other members have been driving van loads of relief supplies directly to Baptist churches that are still operational and who have been assisting persons in need continuously since the hurricane struck. Many of these churches continue to function as shelters, either independently or as part of a wider government and Red Cross sponsored disaster response. Being faith-based and having a direct relationship to churches near the storm center, they’ve been able to by-pass the red tape and check points that have hampered some relief efforts. 

 

They desperately need the following items:

  • Bath towels (new)

  • Cash or gas cards to help offset the cost of driving to and from the Gulf Coast. (Of course it's best not to send currency through the mail. But if Friends do wish to offer a small donation as "cash," please send a check made out to Friends Youth Ministry. I will deposit your check in the account used for my ministry and give cash, or a gas card directly to the church that is transporting goods to Louisiana. This way, you'll receive your cancelled check knowing that it was deposited in the Friends Youth Ministry account.) 

 

A second contact that I have is through Betty Ann’s work at Head Start. They are in daily contact with a Head Start program that serves St. Mary and Vermilion parishes outside of New Orleans. These areas, many of which are rural, have been decimated by the hurricane and in many cases received scant help in the days and weeks following the storm. I will work with Betty Ann's Head Start agency in New Bedford to get these items headed south where they’re needed.  Their need list is a page long, but we could assist their efforts with any of the following items: 
  • First Aid Kits (prepackaged) 
  • Bath Towels and Hand Towels
  • New Underwear 
  • Coloring books and Crayons

Thanks to all who contributed items to date.  Please consider bringing any one of the above items to a future retreat, or mail them to me at 48 Carlton Street, Dartmouth, MA 02748-1622. Thanks for whatever assistance might be possible. 

 

 
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