|
Home
Churches Reach Out to Those Displaced by Wildfires
SAN DIEGO, CA (November 5, 2007) – There have been no reports of Evangelical Covenant Church members losing their homes to recent fires that wreaked havoc in Southern California, but congregations have been reaching out to people who were not as fortunate.
Care groups at Canyon Springs Church have adopted nine families, says Kim ONeal, office administrator. The church is located in the Scripps Ranch area of San Diego, which was hard-hit by the fires.
In addition to caring for other needs, church members have distributed “essential tools” and “office in a box” kits through a local Boy Scout troop. The “essential tools” kits include a variety of basic tools needed for general household projects, minor repairs and the like. The office kits include items such as stamps, pens, a file box, paper and a calculator.
Clairemont Covenant Church is working with local relief agencies and a local school to distribute goods to people in need, says pastor Greg West. The congregation already has donated clothes, food and games.
The congregation is looking at how it can help beyond the immediate need, West says. “The long-term recovery work will make the most difference,” he explains. The church probably will focus on residents of mobile home parks and a local Indian reservation.
College Center Covenant Church donated air mattresses to evacuees who sought shelter at the Qualcomm Center, says pastor Tom Eisenman. Members also visited residents who had been forced from Mount Miguel Covenant Village.
The church has offered its building to relief agencies on several occasions, but they determined the facilities were not needed, Eisenman says. The church has collected monetary donations and is determining the best way to use the funds.
Alpine Camp and Conference Center has offered free meals to local residents who lost their homes. The fire came close to the camp, but turned away at the last minute.
To read earlier accounts of the fires, please see Residents Return Home, Relief Fund Created, and Residents Evacuated.
Copyright © 2008 The Evangelical Covenant Church. |
|
|
|
