We wanted to create a place on our web site where volunteer opportunities may be found. The parish office can also provide information on volunteering.

Haiti Relief

Habitat for Humanity Relief Efforts

You can be a part of the early recovery phase to help the people of Haiti! Volunteers are needed to assemble emergency shelter kits April 7–10 and April 12–15.

Habitat for Humanity is planning a multiphase response strategy in Haiti that includes early recovery and mid-and long-term response. As part of the early phase, Habitat for Humanity put together over 10,000 emergency shelter kits, designed to help families make immediate repairs and construct emergency shelter, in February.

This work was possible thanks to the dedication of volunteers like you. For those of you that helped with the first round of kits, we are grateful for your support.

Now, we are asking again for your help to assemble 13,250 more recovery starter kits. Funds for these kits have been provided by The American Red Cross and CARE.

The 7.0-magnitude earthquake and strong aftershocks that struck near Port-au-Prince, Haiti, in January 2010 caused massive loss of lives and destruction of housing and infrastructure. Damage from the earthquake has added yet another dimension to the humanitarian crisis and poverty conditions faced by Haiti, where more than 80 percent of the people live on less than US$2 per day and 55 percent live on less than US$1 a day. Habitat for Humanity International, which has been offering a hand up to families in Haiti for 26 years, is responding and will remain there long after relief efforts have faded and long-term recovery work begins.

Volunteers for kit assembly are needed to receive and unpack materials, count, re-pack into individual kits, and load into containers. No experience is necessary, but the work may include heavy lifting and repetitive tasks.

The kits will be assembled at the Whirlpool Regional Distribution Center located at 195 King Mill Road, McDonough, GA 30253. Whirlpool Corporation has generously donated this space to Habitat for Humanity while kits are being assembled.

Volunteer shifts are available during the following dates and times:

• April 7 – 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• April 8 – 8:30 a.m to 5 p.m.
• April 9 – 8:30 a.m to 5 p.m.
• April 10 – 8:30 a.m to 5 p.m.
• April 12 – 7:30 a.m to 4 p.m.
• April 13 – 7:30 a.m to 4 p.m.
• April 14 – 7:30 a.m to 4 p.m.
• April 15 – 7:30 a.m to 4 p.m.

Volunteer spots are limited. You must register online (https://www NULL.habitat NULL.org/cd/volunteer/rka/apply NULL.aspx) to attend.

The work will include unpackaging or handling tools. Please bring work gloves with you. The work takes place in a large warehouse; please dress in layers. Volunteers must be aged 16 or over.

If you have questions, please contact Rita Bennett at Rbennett@habitat.org or 1-800-422-4828 ext. 7656.

Drop Haiti’s Debt

Click here to add your name to our “Drop Haiti’s Debt” petition (http://www NULL.one NULL.org/us/actnow/drophaitiandebt/) and help us get to 200,000 signatures now.

MedShare

Tish Wallace is organizing a group to volunteer through MedShare (http://www.medshare.org/ (http://www NULL.medshare NULL.org/)). MedShare is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the environment and healthcare through the efficient recovery and redistribution of surplus medical supplies and equipment to underserved healthcare facilities in developing countries. Please contact Tish if you are interested in volunteering.

Episcopal Relief and Development

• Donate Online (https://www NULL.er-d NULL.org/donate-select NULL.php)
• By mail: Send check payable to Episcopal Relief and Development to ERD at P.O. Box 7058 Merrifield, VA 22116-7058.
• By phone, call 1-800-334-7626, ext. 5129.

Food for the Poor

Information and donations (http://www NULL.foodforthepoor NULL.org/HaitiQuake).

American Red Cross

• Donate Online (http://american NULL.redcross NULL.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ntld_main&s_subsrc=RCO_ResponseStateSection)
• Volunteer (http://www NULL.redcross NULL.org/portal/site/en/menuitem NULL.d8aaecf214c576bf971e4cfe43181aa0/?vgnextoid=7bf51a53f1c37110VgnVCM1000003481a10aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default)
• Give Blood (https://www NULL.givelife NULL.org/)

Oxfam

Oxfam (https://secure NULL.oxfamamerica NULL.org/site/Donation2?df_id=3860&3860 NULL.donation=form1) has four offices in Haiti and more than 200 experienced aid workers on the ground. They’re sending badly needed emergency supplies including clean water, temporary shelters, and sanitation equipment from a base in Panama.