LDRNY Eletter | Eletter Archive
Dear Friends of Lutheran Disaster Response of New York:
Here’s the October 26th edition of Comfort & Renew Online, a monthly e-newsletter provided by LDRNY. If you have something to share, please drop an email to mikki@LDRNY.org .
EDITOR'S NOTE: Comfort & Renew Online is now being distributed monthly
Check online for New Ground Day Camp summer photos
More than 275 children from around the New York area attended New Ground Day Camps for the fifth summer in a row. Started after Sept. 11 as a way to help children understand what had happened, New Ground was organized by Koinonia NYC, an LDRNY partner. To see photos of the children, go to www.LDRNY.org and click on Top News.
N.Y. legislators fight for more victim assistance
Rep. Carolyn Maloney and Rep. Vito Fossella introduced legislation that would re-open the Victims Compensation Fund so that many of the people developing 9/11-related illnesses will be eligible for assistance. The bill is entitled the James Zadroga Act (H.R. 6045), after the NYPD Detective whose recent death was linked to 9/11 health effects. They have also introduced a resolution (H. Res. 1031) under which Congress would request that the Department of Health and Human Services develops a long-term plan for dealing with the crisis. Comprehensive medical monitoring and treatment legislation (H.R. 6124), similar to the Remember 9/11 Health Act, also includes $1.9 billion in federal funds. Find out more about this pending legislation at http://maloney.house.gov
LDRNY prays for families & recovery teams
As more remains are recovered at Ground Zero five years later, we're reminded that the WTC site is sacred ground. We pray for those who lost loved ones and are grieving still; for recovery teams that continue to search for remains; for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner that faces an unprecedented mission; for our leadership that they may make wise and compassionate decisions.
Mikki Baloy named director of operations
LDRNY's Mikki Baloy has a new title -- director of operations. She can still be reached at mikki@LDRNY.org.
Register now for LDRNY's & Faithful Response's pastoral retreat
LDRNY and its partner, Faithful Response, are planning a retreat "Strategies for Pastors During Times of Crisis and Anxiety"? -- Nov. 13-15 -- with Lutheran pastor and psychotherapist the Rev. Dr. Peter Steinke as the keynoter. Dr. Steinke is an expert on family systems theory, and is often called upon to discuss how pastors can take care of themselves during crisis. For more information, go to www.LDRNY.org.
LDRNY needs volunteers to wrap Christmas gifts
LDRNY need volunteers to wrap gifts at Barnes and Noble (Astor Place, Manhattan) in December. All donations received will provide immediate financial assistance to 9/11 recovery workers this Christmas. If you'd like to volunteer, contact Mikki at mikki@ldrny.org.
Donate Christmas gifts to those at sea
Seafarers and International House in Manhattan, a Lutheran seafaring ministry, is collecting gifts (wool caps, gloves, sweatshirts, canned nuts, chocolates, books and DVDs) for port chaplains to deliver to those at sea this holiday season. For more information and collection locations, contact nfleming@sihnyc.org. To read a story, click here.
Lutheran Counseling Center names Molly Blancke to top position
The Administrative Board of the Lutheran Counseling Center, an LDRNY partner, has promoted Molly Blancke to executive director. Blancke has served the Center in various capacities for the past six years, providing a reassuring voice on the phone when people in crisis call for help and referral.
Faithful Response offers preparedness brochures
If your area experienced a hurricane, would you be prepared? Would you know what to do? Faithful Response, an LDRNY partner, has created a series of preparedness brochures. These brochures were designed to help you begin to take the steps necessary to protect your family, business, school and house of worship. Just last week, the New York area was hit with the remnants of Tropical Storm Ernesto. Even though Ernesto was considered a low-pressure system, winds and rain created chaos for many communities. Power was interrupted, trees were down and flooding blocked many roadways. Even though we know it is important to be prepared, more than 90 percent of businesses and 80 percent of home owners have yet to begin implementing a preparedness plan. Are you one of these families or businesses? It is not to late. You can order these brochures by calling 516-679-0080 or e-mailing Help@faithfulresponse.org.
Red Cross still provides 9/11 aid
The American Red Cross reminds you that people affected by this tragedy can still receive financial assistance if they need it for mental health and substance abuse treatment. The deadline to enroll in the 9/11 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Program is Jan. 2, 2007. More than 10,000 people have already enrolled. Visit www.9-11mentalhealth.org.
Does your church want to learn about preparedness?
Michael Arcari, program director for Faithful Response, an LDRNY partner, is available to discuss disaster preparedness at your church. He can discuss how to be prepared, along with showing what goes into a Go Bag, or a topic of special interest to you. To schedule a talk at your church, call Arcari at 516-679-0080, or faithfulresponse@ldrny.org. Visit www.LDRNY.org
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 month, a donation was given to LDRNY in memory of Gail Bigler, Arnold Bashwiner and Fred Schmidt, from Walter and Margaret Schuffenhauer. 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.
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
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
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