LDRNY Eletter | Eletter Archive

Dear Friends of Lutheran Disaster Response of New York:

Here’s the June 2nd edition of  “Comfort & Renew Online,” a weekly e-newsletter provided by LDRNY. If you have something to share, please drop an email to mikki@LDRNY.org.

Hurricane season arrives this week
Hurricane Awareness Week and hurricane season began June 1. Experts say the battle against hurricanes is won today by being prepared. Read predictions for this summer's storm season and tips on how to be prepared on www.LDRNY.org, click on Top News.

LDRNY invites you to reception for Mikki Baloy's play, "eleven"
LDRNY is sponsoring a reception following the June 11, 2:45 p.m., performance of  "eleven," a one-woman show produced by Mikki Baloy, LDRNY coordinator. The show opens June 7 at the critically-acclaimed Brick Theater in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. "eleven"? tells the stories of the wave effects of 9/11. If you want to attend the June 11 show and LDRNY reception, RSVP to Mikki@LDRNY.org or call 1-866-864-1600. Tickets are $10 for the show and can be purchased at www.smarttix.com. The cocktail reception begins at 4 p.m. at Acquasanta, 556 Driggs Ave (and N7th) in Williamsburg. Go to www.LDRNY.org and click on Top News to read more and get ticket information. If you can't attend on June 11 but want to see the show on another date, the performance schedule is listed there, too.

Hurricane season a good time to get a Go Bag
All disaster and emergency experts recommend that the best way to be prepared for a natural disaster is to be prepared! A Go Bag helps you do that. You can make your own bag, or if you don't want to, LDRNY has done the work for you. LDRNY's Go Bag is the most comprehensive disaster-preparedness bag on the market today. The red standard backpack is filled with more than 50 items to help a person survive in the first 24 hours following a disaster or emergency. Items include a flashlight, water, energy bar, whistle, rain poncho, mylar blanket, hand-warmer packet, radio and compass, first-aid kit, toothbrush, hand-sanitizers, ID holder, DNA/fingerprint kit, pen and pad, and much more. The suggested contribution for the Go Bag is $70 each, plus $7.50 shipping/handling, and can be obtained by calling LDRNY at 1-866-864-1600, or by visiting the website, www.LDRNY.org . Click on the red logo on the homepage to get more information and an order form.

LDRNY partner gets Red Cross grant to fund Fujianese workers
Lutheran Family & Community Services, along with Life Matters, has gotten a grant from the American Red Cross to pay 100 Fujianese workers for 12 hours a week for eight weeks. If your church/organization could use the services of these workers this summer, contact Janet Bouman at the New Life Center in Chinatown, 800-729-9209. New Life Center is an LDRNY partner to help the Fujianese community, which was greatly impacted by Sept. 11.

Volunteers needed at Tribute Center near Ground Zero
9/11 community members, including family members, survivors, residents, recovery workers, and 9/11 volunteers are welcome to register for information about the Tribute Center Volunteer Program.  The Tribute Center is an exhibition and learning center that will open near Ground Zero next year. For more, visit www.911families.org, or send an email to TributeVolunteers@911families.org.

LDR still responding to last year's storms - woodchippers needed
Lutheran Disaster Response is still actively involved in the long-term recovery of last year's storms, four hurricanes that struck in six weeks. Many coastal counties do not have the infastructure or equipment to handle this scale of debris. Debris that has not been removed also circumvents the rebuilding process and becomes a significant health and safety concern.  With another hurricane season approaching, LDR is requesting that persons who are skilled with woodchippers and have this equipment available to be used in southern Alabama call 773-380-2719 or email LDRCOORD@LISTSERV.ELCA.ORG. Large industrial woodchippers are preferred with skilled operators.

Pastor captures emotions of Ground Zero on canvas
LDRNY Deputy Director for Long Island, Pr. Tom Taylor, who spent months as a chaplain at Ground Zero, has found it very therapeutic to paint. He has worked out his feelings and emotions of seeing the devastation firsthand by expressing himself on canvas. Pr. Taylor has donated several of his paintings to the LDRNY Comfort and Renew Center, where they proudly hang. To read more about Pr. Taylor's hobby and see his oil paintings, go to www.LDRNY.org .

Events, programs and training on www.LDRNY.org
You’re reminded to check the LDRNY.org website often for a complete listing of events taking place around Ground Zero and in lower Manhattan, and for programs and training relating to 9/11. They’re listed here:
http://www.ldrny.org/comfort/comfort3.asp

Job opportunities
-The Long Island Council of Churches seeks a secretary/receptionist. Twenty-five hours a week, good communication and computer skills (Word and Excel), and compassion and patience. An ability to speak Spanish or other language would be a plus. Send resumes to Alric Kennedy, director of Community Resources, at liccalkennedy@yahoo.com or alrickennedy@optonline.net, or fax to 516-565-0291. Call 516-565-0290, ext. 204 for further information.
- Hospice Care Network in Westbury seeks a FT manager of pastoral care. Serving terminally ill patients and their families in Nassau, Suffolk and Queens Counties, person will focus on the provision of spiritual care to patients with advanced illness and making every day count for them.  Visit www.hospicecarenetwork.org for details. 

Take a planned Faith Walk around Ground Zero
LDRNY partner Koinonia NYC invites you to take a Faith Walk around Ground Zero. Faith Walks are inspirational and educational tours of Ground Zero and surrounding landmarks, encouraging healing and hope in the face of despair. If you’re planning a trip to New York City, or want to read more about others’ experiences, go to www.LDRNY.org. Participants always report back that they liked the Faith Walk. Here is a comment from one person: "It was informative, very moving, and certainly uplifting. In your very kind and thoughtful manner, you put us all at ease. Your friendly way made us all able to participate and enjoy this opportunity."

Make a gift to LDRNY
LDRNY is grateful for the gifts it receives. This week, gifts were received in memory of SAL SCIBILIA, father of LDRNY Executive Director John Scibilia, by the Rev. Ann and the Rev. Tom Tiemeyer, Mikki Baloy, Steve Lee, Grace Kennedy, Marlene Lund, and Tony and Marie DeRupo. If you’d like to make a donation to honor or memorialize someone, send a check to LDRNY at the address below. Tell us who should be notified of the gift, and please provide an address. Thrivent members will have their gift matched.

You may now make a gift to support the work of LDRNY among the hidden victims of Sept. 11 online, thanks to Lutheran Community Foundation’s Charity Finder. Go to
http://www.thelcf.org/donors/charityfinder_details.asp?charity_id=145

Helpful sites you may want to visit
• Lifenet  www.9-11MentalHealth.org  1-800-LIFENET.

LDRNY contact info
To contact LDRNY, call 1-866-864-1600, or send an email to Mikki@ldrny.org Visit the website for information on any of our programs – www.LDRNY.org.

LDRNY
22 Cortlandt St.  10007
New York, NY
1-866-864-1600
212-406-9736
www.LDRNY.org
Dr. John J. Scibilia, Executive Director (john@ldrny.org)