Church Sets Goal Of 100 Health Kits For UMCOR & Haiti Relief
The United Methodist Committee on Relief or UMCOR was already working in Haiti at the time of the earthquake and is continuing to mobilize even more resources to help the people of Haiti. One of the ways our congregation has decided to help is to assemble health kits to be used in relief efforts. These kits provide for some of the most basic needs for health and hygiene. Many of the things we take for granted each day like a towel, washcloth, soap, toothbrush, Band-Aids, etc. are unavailable to those who have lost everything. These simple kits allow people to not only regain some dignity but they can also help prevent larger health issues as well. At this time we have set an initial goal to donate at least 100 of these kits to UMCOR.
Each kit contains the following items in a one-gallon plastic bag:
• 1 hand towel (15” x 25” up to 17” x 27”, no kitchen towels)
• 1 washcloth
• 1 comb (large and sturdy, not pocket-sized)
• 1 nail file or fingernail clippers (no emery boards or toenail clippers)
• 1 bath-size bar of soap (3 oz. and up)
• 1 toothbrush (single brushes only in original wrapper, no child-size brushes)
• 6 adhesive plastic strip sterile bandages
NOTE: UMCOR is now purchasing toothpaste in bulk to be added to health kits before shipping to ensure that the product does not expire before it is sent. Please include $1 for each kit you send toward the purchase of toothpaste. An additional $1 to help with shipping is also needed. The money should not be placed inside each bag. Instead, an envelope containing funds in the form of a check, money order or cashier’s check for the total number of kits in each box is preferred. All items included in kits must be NEW items. All emergency kits are carefully planned to make them usable in the greatest number of situations. Since strict rules often govern product entry into international countries, it is important that kits contain only the requested items—nothing more. Do NOT include any personal notes, money or additional materials in the kits. These things must be painstakingly removed and will delay the shipment.
Our church also welcomes the opportunity to serve as a drop-off point for anybody who would like to make their own kits for UMCOR. To make a cash donation or for more information on UMCOR or the Haiti relief efforts please check out the following links:
http://www.umcor.org
http://www.umcorhaiti.org
http://kwc.brickriver.com/files/oFiles_Library_XZXLCZ/sbdhealthkitv02%5B1%5D_PFXIPVKA.pdf
Together we can make a difference!
