Hurricane Harvey

Ways to Help as the Body of Christ

Friends, Over the last few days, I have been compiling a list of organizations where we might be of assistance during the immediate disaster and after the affects of Hurricane Harvey. For the most part, I have kept the list “local” in the hopes that it will help us all commit to serving our brothers and sisters in crisis without having to leave our neck of the woods. Mostly, organizations are in need of financial assistance to help them do the work they excel at doing, so I ask you to make every effort to give, even just a few dollars, to an organization whose mission and strategy you feel drawn to. I hope the list below will help you discern where to give and how to serve! Thank you for your generosity and your enthusiasm for serving!

Yours in Christ,

Dana

FIRST…

Episcopal Relief & Development: As the parish liaison to Episcopal Relief & Development, I would like to encourage you to consider making a financial contribution to the wonderful work of this fine group of people. They are committed to the 3 R’s: Rescue, Relief and Recovery; in it for the long-haul, not just for short-term assistance. I cannot speak highly enough of this group. I have attended their annual convention and know many of the board members. They are the real deal. This really is my personal first choice of organizations to support. If you can afford even a small financial contribution, please do consider ERD!

To read about their approach, how to donate, AND how to put yourself in their “Ready to Serve” database for times such as these, visit http://www.episcopalrelief.org/stories/hurricane-harvey-2017-what-can-i-do-to-help

If you would like to join St. Andrew’s in making a financial contribution, please send you check in via the collection plates this week, or make a donation online at www.standrewsonline.net/give. Make sure to note that it is for “H&F Harvey.”

NEXT…

For the next two weeks at St. Andrew’s, we will collect diapers, wipes and feminine hygiene products for Trusted World, the organization helping to provide supplies to the three shelters that will be set up here in Dallas (see below for more info about Trusted World). Please drop your donations in the blue bins in the fellowship hall. Deadline to do so is 9/10/17. Thank you!

THEN…

Other Ways to Help (in alphabetical order)

Please note: we are NOT collecting for these organizations. If you wish to donate, please do so directly. We encourage you to give and serve how you are able and where you feel called. Please pay attention to the promptings on your heart! The Holy Spirit may indeed by trying to direct your energy and passion!

Austin Pets Alive: Make a donation to Austin Pets Alive to help rescue cats and dogs from the floods. https://www.austinpetsalive.org/hurricane-harvey…/

Carter Blood Care: Donate blood this Saturday and Sunday (9/1 & 9/2) from 9am to 2pm at the Carter Blood Care bus parked at Allen Event Center. Carter has been called on to act as the supply hub for South Texas. High water vehicles are picking up units collected here and dispersing them throughout South Texas as needed. If you’re interested, you can also visit our Donor Center in Allen — the address is: 1328 W McDermott Dr #250, Allen, TX 75013 (Note: Flooding doesn’t directly cause blood loss; but with the travel restrictions and infrastructure damage, it causes the loss of blood donations, which in turn causes shortages.)

Good Shepherd Parent’s Day Out: The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Dallas is welcoming evacuee children into their Parents Day Out program. They have published a list of items currently needed by the families (particularly diapers, bottles, and clothes) which you can find here: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c45a5ad23a2fb6-harvey

Harvest Truck of The Abundant Harvest: Like our BlessMobile, the Harvest Truck is a food truck that will go out with a. team of The Abundant Harvest will be in disaster relief mode as soon as it is safe to respond. They need financial support. Please consider giving directly, as all funds will be marked to use in their response efforts. Visit The Abundant Harvest to make a gift here: http://www.harvesttruck.org/give.html

North Texas Food Bank: NTFB is working closely with Mass Care Task Force partners (including Red Cross) to ensure food needs for evacuees in local shelters are being met. Three shelters are currently open in Dallas and Tuesday, a mega-shelter will open at Dallas Convention Center to house approximately 5,000 evacuees. At this time, donated goods are not needed. Currently, monetary donation are the most effective way that you can support their efforts. Donate here: https://www.ntfb.org/get-involved/donate-money-landing/disaster-relief

Ragan’s Hope: Ragan’s HOPE, one of our Hands & Feet community partners, has over 30 families they have been supporting in the South Texas area which now have been affected by this hurricane. Their numbers will be rising as the hospitals notify them of new families that will be in more need than ever before. We’ve been praying of the children and families this ministry serves for years now, and periodically we help by providing furniture to families in need. They support families who have children going through serious health problems, and have families all over Texas. Please go to https://raganshope.org/campaigns/hurricane-harvey-families/ to make a financial contribution. Any amount will help meet the needs of these families. They will be using these funds to assist with food, clothing, medical supplies and more. This will be a long term need so continued support is appreciated.

Reading is Fundamental: As part of the community, Reading is Fundamental is helping by teaming up with local officials to donate 25,000 new books and educational resources to thousands of displaced children. Join RIF to create a safer and more comfortable environment for children who have lost everything by donating today. Together, we can do more to help children affected by Hurricane Harvey. https://secure2.convio.net/rif/site/Donation2?df_id=5081…

SPCA: The SPCA in the Gulf Coast areas are transferring all adoptable pets to the Dallas and Mckinney SPCA Shelters. They desperately need donations: The supplies most needed are:

• Cat litter and litter boxes
• Towels & blankets
• Large wire crates & newspaper
• Toys, treats & pet beds
• Gas gift cards

In-kind donations can be brought to the SPCA of Texas’ Russell H. Perry Animal Care Center in McKinney at 8411 Stacy Rd, McKinney, TX 75070.

Texas Diaper Bank: The Texas Diaper Bank is in need of cash and diaper donations to provide emergency diaper kits to the families that are being displaced by Hurricane Harvey. Visit www.texasdiaperbank.org

Trusted World: Trusted World is collecting resources for the 3 shelters being prepared here in Dallas. Specifically, they’re looking for:

• New underwear and socks (all sizes)
• Non-perishable foods
• Toiletries
• Feminine hygiene products
• Baby diapers, wipes and formula

Drop off directly at Trusted World at 15660 Dallas Parkway, Dallas TX. Donation Hours: Monday 3 pm to 8 pm, Tuesday through Friday 9 am to 7 pm. https://trustedworld.org/hurricane-harvey-volunteers/