Photo: Sign at Eagle River Methodist Camp in Juneau, Alaska, courtesy methodistcamp.org.
* VOLUNTEERS NEEDED IN ALASKA
Eagle River Methodist Camp needs volunteers to be staff at its Discover Camp. The Discover Camp is the 3rd-8th grade elementary camp that is led by Sandie Coon. The camp will be held July 26-31, 2009. For more information contact Alaska UMVIM Coordinator Lori Staats at staatslori@gmail.com and Susan Bus at susanb@serrc.org.
* UMCOR ON THE GROUND IN NORTH DAKOTA & MINNESOTA: VOLUNTEERS WILL BE NEEDED
UMCOR’s disaster response personnel are on the ground this week to assist the Minnesota Annual Conference and the Dakotas Annual Conference in flood recovery following last week’s river crest that flooded several communities in Fargo and Moorhead. About 3,000 cleaning buckets have arrived to aid in clean-up.
Red River basin residents are monitoring sandbag dikes, as bad weather continues and a possible second crest threatens the levees.
Volunteers may contact, Lorna Jost, Volunteers in Mission coordinator for the North Central Jurisdiction, at 605-692-3390 or send an e-mail to umvim-ncj@brookings.net. While volunteers will not be deployed right away, it is anticipated that help will be needed for months to come. You can also help Red River residents by giving to Domestic Disaster Response, UMCOR Advance #901670.
* NEW BIRTHING KIT FOR UMCOR
In developing countries, an estimated 60 million women give birth with the help an untrained birth attendant or family member. Without the basic, sanitary tools for delivery, newborns can develop a Tetanus infection, the leading cause of infant mortality.
To reduce this risk, UMCOR’s list of relief supplies now includes a birthing kit to aid attendants in conducting clean and safe deliveries. The birthing kit costs about $8 to assemble and contains basic yet essential items such as soap, latex gloves, plastic sheeting to receive the baby, string and a clean razor blade to cut and tie the umbilical cord, two receiving blankets and a zip lock bag.
Observe World Health Day (April 7) this week by supporting this new birthing kit initiative and promoting safe and healthy deliveries. Download the birthing kit instructions now or give to Material Resources, UMCOR Advance #901440. to purchase its contents.
* HUNGRY FOR CHOCOLATE?
UMCOR is encouraging United Methodists everywhere to stock up in advance on fair trade purchases, especially chocolate in preparation for Easter Sunday, April 12. Why not consider giving fair trade Easter baskets as gifts to family or friends? By doing so, you help small scale farmers increase their livelihood and help UMCOR meet its 100-Ton goal.
As of March 4, United Methodist congregations and individuals participating in UMCOR’s 100-Ton Challenge bought nearly 70 tons of fairly traded products through the UMCOR’s partner Equal Exchange. United Methodists purchased 115,506 pounds of coffee and 9,729 pounds of chocolate.
With every pound sold, small scale farmers in Latin America, Africa and Asia benefit. Buy your fair trade chocolate now at Equal Exchange Interfaith Store. You can also give to UMCOR SA&D Program, UMCOR Advance #982188.
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