Celebrating Red Cross Month

By Nurse Diane

191 years ago, on Christmas Day, an angel was born in North Ford, Massachusetts.  Her name was Clara Barton.  At the young age of 16, she became a school teacher.  Under her direction attendance in the schools exploded increasing to over 600, and she had hopes of becoming the head of the school, but instead a man was hired for the job.  Frustrated, she moved to Washington and began working as a clerk in the US Patent office.  This was the first time a woman held a job with pay at the same level as a man.  Subsequently, under political opposition to women working in government offices, her position was reduced to that of copyist, and in 1857, under the administration of James Buchanan, eliminated entirely.  She was now 36 years old, and  spent the next several years living with family and friends.  When President Lincoln was elected she went back to Washington and worked as a temporary clerk, in order to pave a way for women in government service.  Then the Civil War started.

I learned about Clara Barton while in nursing school.  Nine days after the start of the Civil war, a train full of dead and wounded soldiers arrived in Washington.  Clara, using her own supplies, help take care of these men, nursing them back to heath.  She was given permission to ride on the ambulances, and was called "the woman in charge" over the hospitals.  

Following the war Clara traveled all around, telling stories of the conditions of war.  When Clara Barton returned to the United States, she inaugurated a movement to gain recognition for the International Committee of the Red Cross by the United States government. When she began work on this project in 1873, most Americans thought the U.S. would never again face a calamity like the Civil War, but Barton finally succeeded during the administration of President Chester Arthur, using the argument that the new American Red Cross could respond to crises other than war.  She became the first President of the American Red Cross in Washington, in 1881 at the age of 60.  She continued working to help people after wars around the world as well as other crises, building orphanages and helping to rebuild until 1903, at the age of 83.

Today the Red Cross is still going strong.  Today, the American Red Cross responds to nearly 70,000 disasters a year, providing shelter, food, emotional support and other necessities to those affected. Through a worldwide network, the American Red Cross provides 24-hour support to members of the military, veterans and their families – in war zones, military hospitals and on military installations around the world. Red Cross Blood Services collects and distributes more than 40 percent of this country’s blood supply. And, more than 9 million people across the United States receive American Red Cross training in first aid, water safety and other skills every year.

I know first hand of the help from the Red Cross after the effect from Hurricane Katrina.  The volunteers were first on the scene offering medical aid, food, supplies and support.  They are readily available during all types of crises, hurricanes, floods, tornados and in other tragedies such as plane crashes, bridge disasters and assistance during 911.

March is American Red Cross Month.  They depend on support from the community through donations, volunteers and blood donations.  If you are able, why not go and donate some blood at your local Red Cross, or visit this site to learn more about what they do, and perhaps send a cash donation or offer to volunteer your time to assist others in need.

http://www.redcross.org/

(All images from Google) 

Volunteer Blood Donor Month

(Google Image)

By Nurse Diane

When I was in high school, the blood mobile came to the school for donations.  Nearly everyone who was 18 went to donate because it was a free pass out of class. I was no exception.  When it was my turn to go, I was a little apprehensive, not being one to like being stuck with needles.  Since my veins aren't the best in the world, when I was a baby I had to have an iv surgically inserted in my ankle due to lack of veins, it took several attempts to have the needle stuck in my arms so I could donate.  In fact, every one of the workers there took a turn sticking me.  When they finally struck blood, I only filled a half bag before the well ran dry.  Not only could they not use my blood, but they wouldn’t give it back, and made me go right back to class, without any punch and cookies!

I am the exception, not the rule.  Donating blood is an easy, relatively painless procedure.  And sometimes you even get a free shirt or other gift.

(Google Image)

Since 1970 January has been Volunteer Blood Donor Month.  This month was chosen for many reasons.  Blood donations are the lowest during this month.  With bad weather, holiday schedules, colds or other illnesses keep people home and even the routine volunteers fail to keep appointments to donate.  Icy roads or other accidents also make January one of the busiest times to need blood.

There are a few guidelines for donating blood.  They include:

Be healthy

Be at least 17 years old in most states, or 16 years old with parental consent if allowed by state law

Weigh at least 110 lbs.

Frequency of donations:

Blood (whole blood) Every 56 days

Platelets - Every 7 days, up to 24 times / year

Plasma - Every 28 days, up to 13 times / year

Double Red Cells - Every 112 days, up to 3 times / year

Additional weight requirements apply for donors 18 years old and younger and all high school donors.

(Google Image)

The Red Cross urges everyone to make donating blood a priority this winter. Your help could mean hope for those in need. To find out where you can give blood and to schedule your appointment, go to redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS, for additional information.  If your school, church or place of employment has a blood drive, I would encourage you to participate if you are eligible.  You could save someone's life.

World Red Cross Day

(Google Image) 

By Diane Forrest, RN

This time last year we had seen some major catastrophes in the form of tornados and floods.  This year we have been fortunate. The storms our country has encountered have not been as sever, in fact, even the winter storms this year have been mild.  People have been able to relax, take a breath and rebuild from past storms.  The ones who have not been able to relax are the volunteers at the Red Cross and Red Crescent Society.  These volunteers work around the clock, and around the globe helping those in need.

(Google Image) 

World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day dates back to1922. At that time, the Czechoslovakia Red Cross National Society proclaimed a three-day truce at Easter to promote peace. The goal is to recognize one day every year to advocate for the relief of human suffering from disease, and the humanity of seeing a world free from suffering due to war.

(Google Image) 

The Red Cross idea was born in 1859, when Henry Dunant, a young Swiss man, came upon the scene of a bloody battle in Solferino, Italy, between the armies of imperial Austria and the Franco-Sardinian alliance. Some 40,000 men lay dead or dying on the battlefield and the wounded were lacking medical attention. Dunant organized local people to bind the soldiers' wounds and to feed and comfort them. On his return, he called for the creation of national relief societies to assist those wounded in war, and pointed the way to the future Geneva Conventions.

(Google Image) 

The idea of pooling the skills and resources of Red Cross Societies to provide humanitarian assistance in peacetime, and not just to prepare for relief in times of war, goes back to the founder of the Movement, Geneva businessman Henry Dunant, who was born on May 8.

Ways to celebrate this day include:

• Learn more about the Red Cross
• Support Red Cross programs and efforts
• Send a donation to the Red Cross
• Donate blood today
• Become a Red Cross volunteer
• Thank Red Cross volunteers for their service.

Red Cross Month

(Google Image) 

By Diane Forrest, RN

191 years ago, on Christmas Day, an angel was born in North Ford, Massachusetts.  Her name was Clara Barton.  At the young age of 16, she became a school teacher.  Under her direction attendance in the schools exploded increasing to over 600, and she had hopes of becoming the head of the school, but instead a man was hired for the job.  Frustrated, she moved to Washington and began working as a clerk in the US Patent office.  This was the first time a woman held a job with pay at the same level as a man.  Subsequently, under political opposition to women working in government offices, her position was reduced to that of copyist, and in 1857, under the administration of James Buchanan, eliminated entirely.  She was now 36 years old, and spent the next several years living with family and friends.  When President Lincoln was elected she went back to Washington and worked as a temporary clerk, in order to pave a way for women in government service.  Then, the Civil War started.

(Google Image) 

I learned about Clara Barton while in nursing school.  9 days after the start of the Civil war, a train full of dead and wounded soldiers arrived in Washington.  Clara, using her own supplies, helped take care of these men, nursing them back to health.  She was given permission to ride on the ambulances, and was called "the woman in charge" over the hospitals.

(Google Image) 

Following the war Clara traveled all around, telling stories of the conditions of war.  When Clara Barton returned to the United States, she inaugurated a movement to gain recognition for the International Committee of the Red Cross by the United States government. When she began work on this project in 1873, most Americans thought the U.S. would never again face a calamity like the Civil War, but Barton finally succeeded during the administration of President Chester Arthur, using the argument that the new American Red Cross could respond to crises other than war.  She became the first President of the American Red Cross in Washington, in 1881 at the age of 60.  She continued working to help people after wars around the world as well as other crises, building orphanages and helping to rebuild until 1903, at the age of 83.

(Google Image) 

Today the Red Cross is still going strong.  Today, the American Red Cross responds to nearly 70,000 disasters a year, providing shelter, food, emotional support and other necessities to those affected. Through a worldwide network, the American Red Cross provides 24-hour support to members of the military, veterans and their families – in war zones, military hospitals and on military installations around the world. Red Cross Blood Services collects and distributes more than 40 percent of this country’s blood supply. And, more than 9 million people across the United States receive American Red Cross training in first aid, water safety and other skills every year.

(Google Image) 

I know firsthand of the help from the Red Cross after the effect from Hurricane Katrina.  The volunteers were first on the scene offering medical aid, food, supplies and support.  They are readily available during all types of crises, hurricanes, floods, tornados and in other tragedies such as plane crashes, bridge disasters and assistance during 911.

March is American Red Cross Month.  They depend on support from the community through donations, volunteers and blood donations.  If you are able, why not go and donate some blood at your local Red Cross, or visit this site to learn more about what they do, and perhaps send a cash donation or offer to volunteer your time to assist others in need.

(Google Image) 

http://www.redcross.org/

Tornado Safety Precautions

Wonder if her mother knows where she was?

What is a tornado?

A tornado is the most violent atmospheric storm. A tornado is defined as a violently rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm to the ground. The most violent tornadoes are capable of tremendous destruction with wind speeds of 250 mph or more.  Damage paths can be in excess of one mile wide and 50 miles long. 

Two times the fun ...NOT

Forget The Wizard of Oz notion that "twisters" only happen in Kansas. Tornados have been reported in every state. And while they generally occur during spring and summer, they can happen anytime during the year. With winds swirling at 200 miles an hour or more, a tornado can destroy just about anything in its path. Generally, there are weather signs and warnings that will alert you to take precautions. Be prepared by having various family members do each of the items on the checklist below. Then get together to discuss and finalize your Home Tornado Plan.

Plan and get ready: Pick a safety spot in your home where family members could gather during a tornado. (If you have a basement, make it your safety spot.) Make sure there are no windows or glass doors in the area. Keep this place uncluttered. If you live in a mobile home, choose another safety spot in a sturdy, nearby building.

http://www.redcross.org/www-files/Documents/pdf/Preparedness/checklists/Tornado.pdf

We can not stress strong enough the need to practice your plans for nasty weather.  Be prepared!  Thanks

Tornado Update

Last night Diane and I were chatting about the most recent outbreak of tornados across the country and felt that an update to our two earlier articles (April 16 and 30) was needed. During my research this morning I found this information on Wikipedia which provided a nice recap of the past two months. In addition, located a good preparedness article:

• http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/edu/safety/tornado.pdf  Tornados … Nature's Most Violent Storms – A Preparedness Guide. I strongly recommend that you print this guide, read it and prepare yourself and your family.

April 2011 was the most active month on record, capped by an extreme tornado outbreak that killed over 340 people in the final week. By contrast, the first three weeks of May were remarkably quiet with no major outbreaks and only isolated tornadoes. However, that pattern abruptly changed as a strong low pressure area and associated dry line and cold front tracked eastward.



EF3 tornado that struck Reading, Kansas



On May 21, a small system of thunderstorms began to develop in Brown County, Kansas. At the same time, another system formed to the southeast of Emporia, Kansas. The Brown county system developed into a tornado over Shawnee County, Kansas, and touched down over Topeka, Kansas, for several seconds causing minor damage nearby. Meanwhile the Emporia system continued to move to the northeast, where an EF3 (Enhanced Fujita Scale) tornado heavily damaged the town of Reading, Kansas. One person was killed there, several others were injured and at least 20 houses were destroyed. After hitting Topeka it hit several towns including Oskaloosa, Kansas, doing extensive damage to that community. Several other tornadoes touched down in the region that evening.



A moderate risk of severe weather was issued for much of the Midwest south to Oklahoma for May 22. The first tornadic supercell that day developed in the mid-afternoon hours over the western Twin Cities with a swath of damage, especially in and around Minneapolis, Minnesota. An intense tornado also tracked towards Harmony, Minnesota, that afternoon and a tornado emergency was issued. Late that afternoon, a very large and intense multiple-vortex tornado resulted in catastrophic damage in Joplin, Missouri EF-4). It was the deadliest single tornado in the U.S. since at least 1953.



Once again, a moderate risk of severe weather was issued for two regions on May 23 - the southern Plains and the lower Great Lakes - although the tornado threat was lower with the main threats being damaging wind and large hail. Such was also issued for May 24 across the southern Plains, centered around eastern Oklahoma, with strong to violent tornadoes considered to be a major threat.



Please join us in keeping these folks in our thoughts and prayers and give generously, if you can, to the American Red Cross (http://www.redcross.org/).



We will continue to monitor this year's tornado season and provide updates as needed. With regard to preparedness, this week in Hurricane Preparedness Week and we will post an article this week.



Almost a post script...the weather folks are predicting more severe storms today and tomorrow in many of the same areas hit since this past weekend.

Red Cross relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work

 

 

On Wednesday, April 27, 2011 one of the largest outbreaks of tornado's swept through 13 southern and Midwestern states killing over 300 people and caused billions of dollars in destruction.  Images that flooded the news were devastating and heart breaking.  People interviewed described their fear and loss, the loss of their homes and possessions that took years to accumulate, were all gone. 

That's when the Red Cross comes to pay a visit.  Disasters can happen in an instant.  Like the tsunami in Japan, tornado's in the south, or a fire in your home.  People are at a loss, in shock, and need help.

Since its founding in 1881 by visionary leader Clara Barton (who was a nurse), the American Red Cross has been the nation's premier emergency response organization. As part of a worldwide movement that offers neutral humanitarian care to the victims of war, the American Red Cross distinguishes itself by also aiding victims of devastating natural disasters. Over the years, the organization has expanded its services, always with the aim of preventing and relieving suffering.

The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work.

What can you do?

·       Donate

·       Volunteer

·       Give Blood

Do what you can when you can, you never know if you may be the next one who needs their services.

Inspire by Example

The Lion King

Good morning fellow readers and welcome to Keeping it Simple.  Today’s article is part one of two, that will focus on some very useful, resourceful and dedicated volunteer organizations.  They are in no particular order.  We have included a short overview and a link to their Internet presence. 

Habitat for Humanity International is founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a decent, safe and affordable place to live. Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat and its homeowner families have built or rehabilitated more than 400,000 houses. A nonprofit, nondenominational Christian housing ministry, Habitat invites people of all backgrounds, races and religions to build together in partnership.

American Red Cross  Since its founding in 1881 by visionary leader Clara Barton, the American Red Cross has been the nation's premier emergency response organization. As part of a worldwide movement that offers neutral humanitarian care to the victims of war, the American Red Cross distinguishes itself by also aiding victims of devastating natural disasters. Over the years, the organization has expanded its services, always with the aim of preventing and relieving suffering. 

Some four million people give blood—the gift of life—through the Red Cross, making it the largest supplier of blood and blood products in the United States. And the Red Cross helps thousands of U.S. service members separated from their families by military duty stay connected. As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, a global network of 186 national societies, the Red Cross helps restore hope and dignity to the world's most vulnerable people.

An average of 91 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work.

Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) Voluntary Service (VAVS) - If you want to give your time and talents to support the care of America's veterans, or if you want to help, but don't have time, we have many ways you can help. Over 140,000 volunteers gave more than 11 million hours in service to America's veterans. It is impossible to calculate the amount of caring and sharing that these VAVS volunteers provide to veteran patients. VAVS volunteers are a priceless asset to the Nation's veterans and to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Please join the VAVS family and make a difference in the lives of America's heroes.

4-H [  is a positive youth development organization that empowers young people to reach their full potential. A vast community of more than 6 million youth and adults working together for positive change, 4-H enables America’s youth to emerge as leaders through hands-on learning, research-based 4-H youth programs and adult mentorship, in order to give back to their local communities.

Junior Achievement - Volunteers embody the heart of Junior Achievement. Taking a message of opportunity and boundless potential to a classroom in your community, no matter what your profession, is JA in action. Register to volunteer today and tell kids how you took chances and shot for the stars – so they can do the same.

National Park Service - Since 1916, the American people have entrusted the National Park Service with the care of their national parks. With the help of volunteers and park partners, we are proud to safeguard these nearly 400 places and to share their stories with more than 275 million visitors every year.

Police Volunteers – Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) [logo] President George W. Bush created USA Freedom Corps (USAFC) to build on the countless acts of service, sacrifice, and generosity that followed September 11. When he announced USAFC in his 2002 State of the Union address, he called on all Americans to serve a cause greater than themselves.

Citizen Corps was created to help coordinate volunteer activities to make communities safer, stronger, and better prepared to respond to any emergency situation. It provides opportunities for people to participate in a range of measures to make their families, their homes, and their communities safer from threats of crime, terrorism, and disasters of all kinds.

Citizen Corps partner programs build on the successful efforts in place in many communities around the country to prevent crime and respond to emergencies. Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) is one of five Citizen Corps partner programs. The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) manages and implements the VIPS Program in partnership with, and on behalf of, the White House Office of the USA Freedom Corps and the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice.

 

 by Diane Forrest, RN

A volunteer is someone who works on behalf of others or a particular cause without payment for their time and services.  There are infinite areas in which you can volunteer your services.  You don't have to wait until you are retired, or married, or have children.  Anytime is a good time.  Many people say I just don't have any time to volunteer. 

In my experience the more responsibilities you have in your life, the more you can add to those responsibilities.  I come from a long line of volunteers.  My grandparents were active in their church, my grandmother helped at the prisons by grading papers and with the voting polls.  My father worked with boy scouts and city organizations, my mother with the schools.  I began early on being a candy stripier and working with the orphanages and church, and my son also began early with scouts and church and even went out of the country on two mission trips to Bolivia when he was just 14!  You can volunteer weekly, monthly, or anytime.  If you are skilled in a certain area you can use your skill to find a useful area to help your fellow man.  For example:

• If you are a teacher you can volunteer some tutoring time in the afternoons or evenings.
• If you are a medical person you can use your skills to teach a first aid or CPR course.  You can give lectures at schools or senior citizen centers.  Perform blood pressure checks at health fairs.
• If construction is your area of expertise you can work with Habitat for humanity.
• Even if you don’t think you have any skills there are still hundreds of ways to volunteer. 
• If you like animals, you can volunteer at your local animal shelter by walking the animals, giving baths, sweeping out the cages.
• If you like children you can volunteer to keep a nursery at church, or baby-sit for a neighbor or friend.
• If hosting parties is your thing, you can organize a fundraiser for a charity of your choice.

Getting Started:

• To start volunteering, first decide what you would like to do.  Check with your employer or co-workers. Ask if they have a certain charity they support or know of any organization that needs help.
• Call your church or local schools, offer to volunteer in any areas they need help.
• Contact local charities like Red Cross or meals on wheels, senior citizen centers or children's homes.
• Contact your local newspaper or chamber of commerce. 
• Once you make yourself available to help, people will be calling you!

Benefits of volunteering

When you volunteer to do a task, not only do you improve the quality of human life, but you improve your quality of life too.  Some benefits include employer recognition, resume' recognition, community recognition, having fun, meeting new people and maybe even a free lunch!  The main benefit gained from being a volunteer is having a sense of personal satisfaction.

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.  ~Winston Churchill

Good reference material:

National Volunteer Week 2011 Resource Guide

http://www.handsonnetwork.org/files/NVW_ResourceGuide_2011.pdf

Resource Center, Tools and training for volunteer and service programs

http://www.nationalserviceresources.org/calendar/national-volunteer-week-2011

Points of Light Institute

http://www.pointsoflight.org/signature-events-and-series

“Hope is not a dream but a way of making dreams becomes reality.”

National Day of Hope

April 7, 2011

Hope is defined as the belief in a positive outcome related to events and circumstances in one's life.  In the Bible, I Corinthians 13 discusses the greatest things, faith, hope and love.  Another version of that text describes hope as charity.  Today is National day of Hope.  This is a day to bring into focus the catastrophes our fellow man is experiencing and what we can do to supply hope to those in need.   It is very hard during a time of crises to have hope.  However, when things seem to be at their worst, it is the sense of hope that allows humans to keep moving instead of lying down and giving up.    The world has gone through so many catastrophes and crises lately.  From the tsunami in Japan to the war in Libya, it would be so easy to just give up...lose hope, but the human spirit continues, and hope is constant. 

·       I believe we are put on this earth to help our fellow man.  When we hope and pray for help, there is a person who is aware of that need, and provides it.

·       I recall a story about a church that was gathering supplies to send to Missionaries in a jungle area.

·       One night, in Central Africa, I had worked hard to help a mother in the labor ward; but in spite of all that we could do, she died leaving us with a tiny, premature baby and a crying, two-year-old daughter.

We would have difficulty keeping the baby alive. We had no incubator. We had no electricity to run an incubator, and no special feeding facilities. Although we lived on the equator, nights were often chilly with treacherous drafts.

A student-midwife went for the box we had for such babies and for the cotton wool that the baby would be wrapped in. Another went to stoke up the fire and fill a hot water bottle. She came back shortly, in distress, to tell me that in filling the bottle, it had burst. Rubber perishes easily in tropical climates. "...and it is our last hot water bottle!" she exclaimed. As in the West, it is no good crying over spilled milk; so, in Central Africa it might be considered no good crying over a burst water bottle. They do not grow on trees, and there are no drugstores down forest pathways. All right," I said, "Put the baby as near the fire as you safely can; sleep between the baby and the door to keep it free from drafts. Your job is to keep the baby warm."

The following noon, as I did most days, I went to have prayers with many of the orphanage children who chose to gather with me. I gave the youngsters various suggestions of things to pray about and told them about the tiny baby. I explained our problem about keeping the baby warm enough, mentioning the hot water bottle. The baby could so easily die if it got chilled. I also told them about the two-year-old sister, crying because her mother had died. During the prayer time, one ten-year-old girl, Ruth, prayed with the usual blunt consciousness of our African children. "Please, God," she prayed, "send us a water bottle. It'll be no good tomorrow, God, the baby'll be dead; so, please send it this afternoon." While I gasped inwardly at the audacity of the prayer, she added by way of corollary, " ...And while You are about it, would You please send a dolly for the little girl so she'll know You really love her?" As often with children's prayers, I was put on the spot. Could I honestly say, "Amen?" I just did not believe that God could do this. Oh, yes, I know that He can do everything: The Bible says so, but there are limits, aren't there? The only way God could answer this particular prayer would be by sending a parcel from the homeland. I had been in Africa for almost four years at that time, and I had never, ever received a parcel from home. Anyway, if anyone did send a parcel, who would put in a hot water bottle? I lived on the equator!

Halfway through the afternoon, while I was teaching in the nurses' training school, a message was sent that there was a car at my front door. By the time that I reached home, the car had gone, but there, on the veranda, was a large twenty-two pound parcel! I felt tears pricking my eyes. I could not open the parcel alone; so, I sent for the orphanage children. Together we pulled off the string, carefully undoing each knot. We folded the paper, taking care not to tear it unduly. Excitement was mounting. Some thirty or forty pairs of eyes were focused on the large cardboard box. From the top, I lifted out brightly colored, knitted jerseys. Eyes sparkled as I gave them out. Then, there were the knitted bandages for the leprosy patients, and the children began to look a little bored. Next, came a box of mixed raisins and sultanas - - that would make a nice batch of buns for the weekend. As I put my hand in again, I felt the...could it really be? I grasped it, and pulled it out. Yes, "A brand-new rubber, hot water bottle!" I cried. I had not asked God to send it; I had not truly believed that He could. Ruth was in the front row of the children. She rushed forward, crying out, "If God has sent the bottle, He must have sent the dolly, too!" Rummaging down to the bottom of the box, she pulled out the small, beautifully dressed dolly. Her eyes shone: She had never doubted! Looking up at me, she asked, "Can I go over with you, Mummy, and give this dolly to that little girl, so she'll know that Jesus really loves her?"

That parcel had been on the way for five whole months, packed up by my former Sunday School class, whose leader had heard and obeyed God's prompting to send a hot water bottle, even to the equator. One of the girls had put in a dolly for an African child -- five months earlier in answer to the believing prayer of a ten-year-old to bring it "That afternoon!" "And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear." Isaiah 65:24

How can you help?

There are many ways you can give hope to someone else.  You can volunteer your time by tutoring a child, sitting with the elderly, reading to the sick.  You can donate your money to a charitable organization such as HOPE.org, the Red Cross, and the united way.  You can make sandwiches for the homeless or donate used clothing and shoes.  If you see a need that you can't fill, you can locate someone who can.    As long as we have hope, we have life.