Week 33, post 1: Bayou Grace update

Here is an update from Bayou Grace -- our organization. It's not personally me, but it gives excellent perspective on what's going on here. Let me know if you want to be added to a regular email of it...

Week of July 31—August 4, 2006


Camp Noah Success!
The two Camp Noah summer camps were a success. Both the camp at The Father’s House in Pointe aux Chenes and at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Theriot had full enrollment! Site coordinators and many parents and community members expressed their happiness with the Camp Noah curriculum and how much this camp was a blessing for children. These all-day camps were a relief for youth who continue to live the daily reality of disaster relief.

Bayou Grace and the community thank the volunteers from Pennsylvania and Minnesota for taking the time to volunteer for these camps. Disaster relief has been going on non-stop for over ten months now. These camps provided some much needed outreach not only for the youth but for the adults as well.

More Special Guests!
The Illini continue to bless Bayou Grace! Yet another team from around The Windy City is coming soon to volunteer its time and efforts. The group of up to twenty volunteers will arrive from St. Luke’s Lutheran Church on August 6th. They will be staying the week. In the group will be the pastor, two Stephen ministers, a nursing student, and a foreman. These volunteers will be staying at the new Bayou Grace volunteer site at the Chauvin Gym and will be working at the warehouse with Elaine Savoie, Courtney Pellegrin-Howell, and with Mennonite Disaster Service. Please pray for their safe travel.

How You Can Assist
• Electricians, plumbers and construction volunteers are needed! For construction, you do not have to be experienced. You can join another work crew. You can volunteer with either TRAC or Mennonite Disaster Service. Volunteers are needed Monday—Friday.

• Volunteers are needed to help give out distribution through the Bayou Grace warehouse. The warehouse is open two days a week. Some people do not have transportation and need their items delivered to them. If you can help bring distribution to people in need, this would help a family tremendously.

• Family Advocate/Case Manager Elaine Savoie also welcomes accompaniment on her home visits. This is a great way to serve and to meet people whom Bayou Grace is serving.

Please contact Bayou Grace Program Director Courtney Pellegrin-Howell @ 217-0068 if you have questions regarding any of the above.

DON’T FORGET WEEKLY MEETINGS
AT THE CHAUVIN GYM EVERY TUESDAY
TO RAISE COASTAL EROSION AWARENESS ET AL.
DINNER STARTS AT 6:00 P.M.


Peace, Warren.