CEC Outreach News: August 20, 2021
Disaster Aid for Haiti Goes to Episcopal Relief and Development
After Haiti was slammed by back-to-back natural disasters, Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) has taken steps to relieve suffering and help in recovery. Saturday’s powerful earthquake led to the deaths of nearly 2,000 people, and survivors were drenched only days later by Tropical Storm Grace.
On behalf of Christ Church parishioners, members of the Outreach Commission voted Tuesday to contribute $1,000 to ERD to assist Haitians like the woman who described her plight in an interview on PBS Newshour on August 17th.
“The rain fell on top of us. We slept sitting down on chairs. Nobody has come to help us. We have no tarpaulins. We sleep here sitting down. I don't want to go home. I am in God's hands,” said Theard Andrise.
ERD stated in a news release that it has begun supporting the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti and other partners in response to the 7.2 magnitude earthquake. Besides a death toll that could increase as rubble is cleared, the earthquake caused at least 9,000 injuries and affected more than 1.2 million people, according to the United Nations.
Acting through the diocese, ERD in its first grant will support 400 vulnerable households in 21 isolated communities. It remains in close contact with the diocese and other partner organizations on the ground in Haiti as leaders assess needs.
Please pray for Ms. Andrise and all those who have been affected by the earthquake and tropical storm as well as by COVID-19 and other perils. Haiti is still seeking to recover from Hurricane Matthew in 2016, from an even deadlier earthquake in 2010 that was followed by a cholera outbreak, and by persistent civic unrest.
If you wish to make a personal donation, go online to ERD’s Haiti Fund, which will allow our worldwide aid organization to continue its response to this latest disaster. Anyone who prefers donating by writing a check to ERD should put “Haiti Fund” on the memo line and mail it to ERD, P.O. Box 7058, Merrifield, VA 22116-7058.
Columbia Community Care Plans Holiday Break, Fewer Distribution Days
As summer wanes, the all-volunteer organization Columbia Community Care (CCC) has announced changes for Fall 2021.
The CCC sites will be closed the week of Labor Day, from Sunday, September 5-11. That means the three distribution sites will not open on Wednesday, September 8th nor on Saturday, September 11th. There are no signups created for those two days on the “I Can Help” part of its website or in the volunteering posts of the CCC group on Facebook.
With the return of school, CCC will reduce the days per week that its sites operate by eliminating Wednesday distribution. That means the next distribution day after the break will be on Saturday, September 18th. Organizers say CCC plans to monitor site numbers and determine if changes to hours and days are needed after that. Signups have been updated with dates through October 30, 2021.
Saturday hours are 10 a.m. to noon for recipients. Volunteers and donation drop-off begin at 9 a.m. The distribution sites are at Oakland Mills Middle School, 9540 Kilimanjaro Road; at Long Reach Village Center, Suite 9, 8775 Cloudleap Ct., and at Wilde Lake Interfaith Center, 10431 Twin Rivers Rd., all in Columbia.
CCC shared its gratitude with all those who help: “Thank you all for your time and energy in keeping our community fed and supported this summer! We love our volunteers and the people we serve!!
At Christ Church, members of R.A.G.E and the Outreach Commission ask parishioners to continue supporting CCC by collecting diapers, baby wipes, sanitary and personal care items, and adult diapers. Please put any of these items in the yellow bin that's marked “CCC,” inside the Parish Hall. You can drop off items on weekdays until 2 p.m., but we ask that you call the church office (410) 381-9365 ahead of time.
LEMS Supplies - Can You Help Us this Monday?
Thanks to our wonderful parishioners, we have raised over $5,000, ordered supplies, filled 50 bags for incoming Lake Elkhorn Middle Schoolers, and boxed supplies for 75 more students. Principal Melissa Shindel is so appreciative of your generous support. The last step is to load the bags and boxes into vehicles and deliver them to LEMS this coming Monday, August 23rd. We need a few strong people who can come to the Parish Hall at 11:00 a.m. to help carry 50 bags and 34 boxes of supplies outside and load them in vehicles. If anyone in your family would like to help us, please contact Onyx Williams (ow6062@gmail.com) or Cathy Whittaker (catharinewhittaker@gmail.com) so we will know you are coming. Thank you!
Donate Personal Care and Cleaning Supplies for FISH in Bin on our Breezeway
Organizers for FISH of Howard County request household cleaning supplies such as liquid dish soap, bleach, and cleanser as well as personal items such as deodorant, shampoo, and bath soaps. At present, its pantry has an adequate supply of groceries. The bin is between Old Brick and the Parish Hall.
In general, if you have suggestions about ways to help the community, if you want to get involved, or if you need assistance, please email Christ Church Outreach at outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org. Your help is greatly welcomed and appreciated. Thank you.
