IMMEDIATE SUPPORT TO THOSE IN THE GULF COAST

As always, Genevans have responded generously to a crisis. To this date, the Geneva family has donated almost $8,000, which will be sent to the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Fund (www.pcusa.org/katrina/) run by our denomination. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has sent relief and recovery teams to five southern states in response to the destruction and human suffering caused by Hurricane Katrina and the flooding that followed. Your generosity will help them in their relief efforts. You can give directly to PDA by clicking on the above link.

CONTINUOUS SUPPORT TO THOSE IN THE GULF COAST

Church World Service (insert link: http://www.churchworldservice.org) is supporting immediate needs and organizing for long-term recovery, working within affected communities to meet the unmet needs of the most vulnerable. As of September 2005, CWS has provided more than $300,000 in material assistance to affected areas, including 18,100 CWS Blankets; 14,335 "Gift of the Heart" Health Kits; 500 CWS "Gift of the Heart" Children’s Kits; and 1,000 "Gift of the Heart" School Kits. Shipments have arrived in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi.

Church World Service has requested donations of additional Health Kits, and Geneva has committed to supply as many as possible. Please consider helping in one of three ways:

• Write a check to Church World Service. Health Kits can be provided at a cost of $12.00 each. Drop off the check at the Katrina Disaster Relief table Sundays in the courtyard or during the week in the church office.
• Assemble kits as a family and drop them off at the Katrina Disaster Relief table or in the church office.
• Bring several of the items on the list and the Katrina Disaster Relief Task Force will see that the kits are assembled.

Health Kit

• One hand towel
• One washcloth
• One comb
• One metal nail file or nail clipper
• One bar of soap (bath size)
• One toothbrush
• One tube of toothpaste (4-7 ounces)
• Six Band-Aids
  

SUPPORT TO GULF COAST FAMILIES
RELOCATED TO ORANGE COUNTY

Nearly 150 Gulf Coast families have relocated to Orange County and more families are expected over the coming weeks. Public and private agencies throughout the county have come together to form OperationOC which is being administered through the Orange County Resuce Mission.

Together, the collaborative members of OperationOC plan to assist each relocated family to transition into our community. OperationOC volunteers are finding that a majority of the victims are very much in shock and finding it very hard to think of what they need for their future. Consequently, long-term case workers are being assigned to each of these families to assist them in their planning process.

SHORT TERM ASSISTANCE TO KATRINA FAMILIES

The Red Cross has provided 14 days of housing in motels to most of the displaced families. These "stays" will soon run out and local volunteers will be needed to help the families when these stays end.

OperationOC volunteers are also needed to:

• Assist with incoming and outgoing phone calls
• Transport family members to appointments
• Sign up to temporarily house families

You can sign up directly with OperationOC by calling 800.956.1613, by stopping by the Katrina Disaster Relief Table on the courtyard, or by emailing pamallison@aol.com or calling Pam Allison, task force chair at 949.215.2332.

LONG TERM ASSISTANCE TO KATRINA FAMILIES

OperationOC is looking for sponsors to provide two- and three-bedroom apartments at its new Village of Hope for displaced Hurricane Katrina families. When the time comes, we will ask you, the Geneva family, to consider sponsoring an apartment.

The Orange County Rescue Mission, Second Harvest Food Bank, Infolink Orange County 2-1-1, County of Orange, Orange County Sheriffs Department, HomeAid Orange County, Calvary Church of Santa Ana, have all joined OperationOC as partners, and will be assisting in the provision of food and supplies.

Should you wish to put you or your family on the list of people interested in directly sponsoring a Katrina family, stop by the Katrina Disaster Relief Table on the courtyard, or email pamallison@aol.com or call Pam Allison, task force chair at 949.215.2332.

KATRINA DISASTER RELIEF TASK FORCE

Should you wish to join the task force and/or have any suggestions, please contact Pam Allison by email pamallison@aol.com or at 949.215.2332.