On Friday afternoon, a handful of Hope members visited various donation / distribution hubs, as well as a couple fire stations, here on the westside in search of opportunities to serve and support the effort. We have now partnered with a grass roots effort of Palisades High School parents and are operating a donation / distribution center based on our church campus. The group will be here Saturday, 1/11, sorting and organizing from 9am-12pm, and open for people to pick up items from 12pm-4pm. The donation center will also be open on Sunday 1/12 from 12pm-4pm. At this point, the organizers are saying that we don't need any more donations.

 

If you know of someone who has been directly affected by the fires and is in need of support, please copy and share this link: 

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https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScfSEujmcQu6R41Ccvnq4-7YBBYeCGE9xVEus5r4akD94B8dA/viewform

 

We don't know how long this program will continue. As a grass roots effort, it's day-to-day. Either way, we're very thankful that the Lord has provided this opportunity for us to support hurting people in our community. Please reach out to me if you're interested in getting involved.

 

Other opportunities on the radar for our Hope family include: 1) Distributing gift cards to victims (with $3000 financial support from WELS Christian Aid & Relief); 2) Financial support for individual families connected to our church and/or preschool (we're aware of a number of preschool families, both past and current, who have been directly impacted); 3) Provide temporary housing for displaced individuals / families (thank you to the two Hope families that have already offered space in their homes!); 4) Additional 'boots on the ground' volunteer efforts. (FYI: We are not taking collections of food or clothing because we've heard that many donation centers are inundated with donations, including the center operating out of Hope.)

 

Please also continue to keep your eyes and ears open to other opportunities for our Hope family to support and show love to our neighbors. 

 

Finally, one way that some prefer to help is by giving a donation. Click here to access our online giving page and click on 'Good Samaritan' in the fund dropdown menu and indicate that your donation is for fire relief.

 

Finally, please continue to pray for our community. Pray for safety for those in the fire zones, and also for fire fighters and first responders. Pray that weather conditions would be favorable for gaining control of the fires (as you may have seen, we're expecting another increase in wind early next week). Pray that the fires would be fully contained sooner rather than later. Pray that this would allow for opportunities to share the Good News of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.

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Blessings in Christ,

Pastor Steve