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| Moore, OK; photo by Alonzo Adams, AP. |
You can assist those whose lives were devastated by the Oklahoma tornadoes
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ;
As
all are aware, the Bishop has asked Archdeacon Bette-Jo Kaufman and me
to coordinate our Diocesan efforts in assisting those hit by devastating
tornadoes in Oklahoma. As such we have discussed four ways you and your
congregations can help, they are:
1. Donate money directly to the Episcopal Relief and Development Fund and designate your check as Oklahoma tornado victims.
2.
Collect funds from your congregation through the next two to three
weeks and then send a check to our diocesan office designated for the
Oklahoma tornado victims. We will then combine our monies and send one
check directly to the Bishop of Oklahoma who will then distribute the
funds.
3. Volunteer to be a part of a team who will travel to Oklahoma in July to assist people directly with manual and skilled labor.
4.
Begin collecting household items such as linens, kitchen items, good
clean clothing, toiletries, shoe, socks, etc. Remember these people have
lost everything! Please donate either new or really good usable items,
do not send things you plan to throw away.
Many
of us here in Louisiana know firsthand what it is like to face such
devastation. The trip for our team is scheduled in July because we know
from experience that a few months from now these people will still be
suffering from the loss and destruction but the media will move on.
Victims are often forgotten and it is the second and third month that
people really begin to need someone to talk to and others to reach out
with a helping hand. So please consider being a part of this team
effort.
Also
as we begin this effort to assist others let's be mindful of our own
need to be prepared for such disasters. Hurricane season is just around
the corner. Please make sure you and your congregations have plans in
place for an emergency.
Thank you for your assistance, if you have any questions please don't hesitate to mothermitzi@hotmail.com or Archdeacon Bette Jo bjkauffman@gmail.com.
In Christ's Service
Mother Mitzi+
-The Rev. Dr. Mitzi George is Priest-in-Charge of St. Andrew's, Moss Bluff and Disaster Relief Officer of the Diocese.
