What Friends Organizations nationally are doing to help?

Eastern Region

Dean Johnson (Friends Disaster Service Eastern region) reports they have sent two semi trucks full of food to a community north of New Orleans which is feeding a lot of people. He needs money to continue to buy more food to send. Checks may be sent to Friends Disaster Service, 241 Keenan Road, Peninsula, Ohio, 44264. Eastern region will be sending personnel in soon. They will let us know when and where.

Mid America Yearly Meeting (Houston)

Tom Hoke will be sending crews in as soon as they can and he will also let us know where and when. They presently are involved with the displaced that have been sent to the Houston area. Communications in and out of Louisiana have been hit and miss. Tom Hoke talked with the Peercys on Friday and this is what has been discussed:

A tentative date in October will be the week of 16-23.  If this is confirmed we would be leaving early on Sunday, October 16 and returning on Sunday, October 23.

Places for housing are being arranged at a couple of churches in Slidell and Mandeville Louisiana.  The word is that teams need to be self-sufficient due to lack of tools, materials, food, etc.  Kitchen help will be needed, so if there are any volunteers to help in that capacity they will be greatly appreciated.

Dale Peercy is putting together a list of tools that will be needed long term in the areas to be used by other teams coming in.  I will share that with you as soon as we get it.  If they can put together a supply of tools to leave in the area it would benefit all coming in to help.  We want to be as much help as possible, so if that means leaving tools we need to be able to do that.  Building supplies are not available in the area so much of what we will be doing is clean up and tear out.

What we need is a number from each of you as to how many will be coming.  It is important for the purchase of food and supplies.  If anyone wants to arrive on Saturday the 15th, we need to know how many so we can provide overnight housing.  A second trip will be put together for November and another after the first of the year.  We should be able to let you know next week once we confirm the October and November trips.  You can email, fax (281) 316-0627, or call (281) 332-6631 to confirm the number of people that are willing to serve on this trip.  Remember, it is important to get that number to us as soon as possible.  Thanks for your cooperation.

Riverton Friends

Riverton Friends are helping in Lacombe, Louisiana. They have been there twice and are making a third trip today to do clean up. They started down the first time to get people from the Superdome and bring them back to their gym and house them as long as needed. However, they were not able to get to New Orleans so with God’s help, they hooked up with the Red Cross and found Lacombe. The damage is unimaginable. They will be making a 4th trip on Monday, September 12th.