From: HOLMSTROM, Virginia <Virginia.Holmstrom@abc-usa.org>
Subject: Peggy, Haiti response, and need for CWS kits
To:
Date: Thursday, January 14, 2010, 1:05 PM
Dear members of the national AB Women's Ministries board and AB GIRLS NLT,
1. Board alumna Janet Coleman from Columbus, Ohio, emailed an update on Peggy Burke, national coordinator of Mission & Service Ministries, who was in Haiti when the earthquake happened on Tuesday. Janet writes: "Peggy Burke and the group she went with are sleeping on the ground. The orphanage dorm was destroyed. One woman with her is injured and needs to be transported state-side."
2. We've featured on our AB Women's Ministries homepage at www.abwministries.org how AB women and girls can respond to the emergency in Haiti.
3. One important way to respond is by organizing in your region/state quick replenishment of Church World Service kits. Here is the word from Lisa Rothenberger, ABC World Relief Officer:
"We held an ecumenical conference call yesterday with CWS. During that call we learned that CWS' inventory of kits in New Windsor is down to just one container's worth of kits (8700 blankets, 3870 baby kits and 25,000 hygiene kits). Those kits will be packed up and shipped to Haiti as soon as possible. CWS is appealing to all denominatioins to encourage churches, women's groups, etc. to provide more kits--as they are greatly needed. Is this an appeal that you could share through ABWM?
CWS has asked that everyone follow the normal procedures of preparing kits and shipping them to New Windsor. The kits most in need are the hygiene kits and the baby kits. CWS is NOT asking for school kits at this time.
Here's the link to the CWS site about the kits....
http://www.churchworldservice.org/site/PageServer?pagename=kits_main
Here's the link specifically about the hygiene kits
http://www.churchworldservice.org/site/PageServer?pagename=kits_hygiene
Here's the link specifically about the baby kits
http://www.churchworldservice.org/site/PageServer?pagename=kits_babycare
As always, CWS and I appreciate any help you can give to the generation of more kits. With CWS inventory so low, this almost could not have happened at a worse time.
Blessings,
Lisa
Please get the word out to your networks...
We are vital partners for a vital ministry.
Thanks,
Virginia Holmstrom
Executive Director
American Baptist Women's Ministries
www.abwministries.org