To the Member Congregations of Lehigh Presbytery,

On behalf of the Helping Hands Care Team and all of the volunteers who traveled to Mississippi to assist in the rebuilding process after Hurricane Katrina, I would personally like to thank you for the assistance that you have so generously given to us to help us complete our missions. We have completed our seventh trip to Mississippi and have seen great progress in the work that is being done. Teams from all over the country travel down to the Gulf Coast to help those who have lost their homes completely or had them severely damaged. Insurance coverage for flood damage to these homes was minimal. Most of the residents had none. Who would have expected a water surge of 30 feet to penetrate 10 miles inland from the coast?

As the out-going chair for the Helping Hands Care Team (HHCT), I want you to know how much we appreciate your financial, property (vans) and most of all spiritual support in assisting this great mission. You can be sure that Helping Hands Care Team were good stewards of your donations and made every penny count towards a successful mission.
I pray that your continued support will help us to help people living near the Gulf Coast. And, I wanted to mention that HHCT is constantly growing, not only in the size of the care team, but also in the work that we would volunteer for. There are always disasters, perhaps not of the size that Katrina was but none the less impacting people’s lives. We are currently looking to travel to Iowa to assist in rebuilding damaged homes from the flooding. Here in Pennsylvania there is still much work to be done because of flooding. And, close to our hearts is the need for our skills in doing some rehabilitation work at Camp Brainerd. Please consider volunteering your talents in these projects.

To assist us with the expenses of the committee, we are sponsoring the annual Valentine’s Day dance which will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, 3231 Tilghman Street, Allentown, PA on February 14, 2009. So why not dust off your dance shoes, put on your poodle skirt and join us in what promises to be a fun evening. The cost of the dance is $12.50 per person. Thanks again and God Bless each and every one of you.

In Christ’s Service,
Kenn Smith
Helping Hands Care Team Member
 

---