[PBARC] Hurricane Relief

[WOLF, EARNEST G]

A note from Mike Sanford ----



As you may or may not know, there has been set up a relief center at the PB Convention Center for persons trying to escape the devastation from Katrina.  At this point, there are 50 folks at the center.  The churches in Pine Bluff are trying to mobilize their members to assist the local Red Cross and FEMA officials to help these displaced persons.

It may be up to six weeks that these persons may be in our area, so this will be a long term event for Pine Bluff. But for right now,  
they need towels, and personal items plus diapers for the children.   
At some point down the line, there may be more needs.  The local Red Cross also needs money.  For those in St. Joseph Parish, you can leave the items at the church office as well as the checks for the Red Cross and Gail will see that they get to the right persons.

The other needs will be both personal and spiritual.  St. Joseph will plan to pick up catholics who want to attend Mass on Sunday and will need a couple of volunteers to operate the church vans starting at 1000 AM.  For those on this list who are not catholic, I suggest that you talk to your church to do the same thing.

As I said, this may turn out to be a long term event for Pine Bluff and as the clean up in the Gulf Coast progresses the needs of the people who are displaced may become more complex.  So let us all pray for these people and for the rescue workers in the Gulf Coast area.

God Bless

Mike