Local Boy Scout troop needs 12 Canyon Springs "kits"

Update: The troop has received all of the boxes it needs. Thank you Canyon Springs!

If you can help this troop by providing an "Office in a Box" or "Essential Tools" kit that would be awesome. They need to collect 12 of each. The contact e-mail for the troop is below and you can see the list of supplies posted earlier on this blog.

Pastor Jack -
I heard through the prayer vine that your congregation may be putting together file boxes for fire victims. Our son Cameron is in boy scouts with Poway Troop 479. We are the only family from Scripps Ranch, with everyone else being from Poway and Ramona.Our scoutmaster lives in Poway on Skyridge Road. His land burned, but his house was spared.This area they live in is very, very remote and down private roads. He has 12 neighbors who have lost their homes. I asked if he thought these would be supplies would be helpful, and could he get me up there to deliver them.He send me an enthusiastic "Yes!" He also said it would be helpful if there could be some sort of quick note with it mentioning how these supplies would be helpful as they begin to gather paperwork. He said they are all so dazed and confused, they can't even figure it out.

So, if you have 12 boxes to spare, our family would be happy to deliver these. I'd be happy to report back, etc. once the mission is accomplished.
My email address is dechants@san.rr.com

Places where you can go to help

Update: Please contact these centers before bringing items. Many of the needs have been met or changed since the first posting.

Maranatha Chapel and Samaritan's Purse are helping people
clear their land. They are focusing on uninsured, elderly, single parent, and handicapped people.
If anyone wants to contact them the website is: www.maranathachapel.org

Also, this was passed on from a friend of Edie Davis:
I discovered the Rancho Bernardo Relief Center, right across the street from the Rancho Bernardo Recreation building/field. The Rec Center is located at 18448 West Bernardo Drive,
and the Relief Center is sign-posted directly across from it. I drove in and asked what they need, and they gave me a list, which I have copied for you below. I asked if they could use
beds or couches . . . and the gentleman there said "yes - anything". Just as I was driving away, an elderly man drove up and told the relief center worker that he had lost everything in the fire.
If you can pass this list on to as many people as you can . . . the relief center worker said that things are flying off the table, especially cleaning supplies.
CLEANING SUPPLIES (high priority)
Basic cleaning agent (409, Simple Green, etc.)
Paper towels and rags
Brooms/Dustpans
Mops/Buckets
Rubber gloves
Sponges and steel-wool pads

DEBRIS CLEANING SUPPLIES (high priority)
Shovels and rakes
Work gloves
Sifters
Flashlights and batteries
Protective eye wear
N95 face masks

HOUSEHOLD ITEMS
Air purifiers
Toilet paper
Laundry detergent
Paper plates and plastic-wear
Napkins

NEW clothing (will not accept used clothing)
NEW shoes and socks (will not accept used shoes)

TOILETRIES
Men's deodorant
Disposable razors (in package/unopened)
Cotton swabs
Kleenex
Feminine hygiene products
Baby/children items

CHILDREN'S
Baby bouncers
Play mats
Children's playpens and cribs
Baby food

OTHER ITEMS
Disposable cameras
Can openers
Canopies
Rope
Pillows, blankets, sheets
Coffee makers

Helping Hands Needs Volunteers and Donations

HELPING HANDS VOLUNTEERS… RAMONA NEEDS OUR HELP!

TODAY WE TOOK 100+ COMFORT BAGS TO RAMONA. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO DONATED AND HELPED STUFF THE BAGS!!!!

WHILE WE WERE IN RAMONA WE DISCOVERED THEY NEED VOLUNTEERS. THEY ONLY HAVE A HANDFUL OF VOLUNTEERS WHO ARE WORKING 8-12 HOUR SHIFTS. THEY NEED TO BE RELIEVED. IF YOU HAVE SOME TIME TO HELP PLEASE LET ME KNOW.

THEY ALSO NEED THE FOLLOWING LIST OF DONATED ITEMS:
- A WASHER AND DRYER THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!!!!
- SHOVELS, BUCKETS, SIFTERS, GARBAGE BAGS
- WATERS, NON PERISHIBLES
- ADULT, TEEN AND CHILDRENS CLOTHES, SHOES etc.
- TOYS, BOOKS
- TOWELS, TOILETRIES
- GIFT CARDS
- WHATEVER ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO DONATE

PLEASE DROP OFF YOUR ITEMS TO 12438 KINGSPINE AND WE’LL MAKE SURE ALL ITEMS ARE TAKEN TO RAMONA FIRE SURVIVORS.

Thank you for your generosity. It is very much appreciated! God Bless!
Contact Laura Olsen,The Helping Hands Foundation 619-992-6375 or 858-547-9440 for more info.

God at Work Already- Keep Shining the Light

"Thank you for the inspiration in today's message. After church today, our family went to Staples to put together file boxes for fire victims. We do not know anyone personally who lost their homes. So we then drove up to Rancho Bernardo and distributed the boxes to people who were at their properties. Needless to say, they were incredibly appreciative. Most interestingly, we gave one to a Muslim man. He said he is very interested in learning about different religions. Then he took us to his car to show us the only thing that he found in the rubble: a bible that a friend from work had given him. The inscription from the friend on the inside cover and the pages were still mostly in tact. A miracle!"

The Coats Family

Supplies You Can Provide to Fire Victims

The following "kits" were suggested by victims of the Cedar Fire. If you know about a family that has lost their home, here are the suggested kits you can put together to bring to them. In addition, at the bottom of this post are "10 Ways To Respond To A Fire Victim".

Office in a Box: Plastic file carrier box with handle including the following inside: book of stamps, personal address/phone book, 3-5 pens, 15-20 file folders w/ tabs, blank labels for files, 2 small notepads, box of standard envelopes, 2 spiral binders, scotch tape dispenser,small stapler w/ staples, rubber bands, paper clips,accordion file to place files in, basic calculator.

Essential Tools: Some type of tool box or carrier w/ the following inside: sturdy hammer, adjustable pliers, adjustable wrench, flat head screwdriver, Phillips screwdriver, picture hanging materials, measuring tape, small level, flashlight with batteries.

10 Ways To Respond To A Fire Victim

1. Let them talk, while you listen (you don't have to "fix" it)
2. Give a hug and say "I'm sorry"
3. Accept their reactions. These may include anger, denial, frustration, numbness, joking, sadness, tears. These will change throughout the next few years.
4. Avoid talking about yourself and your experiences.
5. Ask what they need; clothes company, errands, childcare, place to live, kitchen supplies, tools, meals..
6. Watch for what they need; remember that they may not be able to think of what they need.
7. Offer your time to go with them on errands, shopping, etc.
8. Commit for the long run as they will continue to have needs.
9. Anonymously drop off food, supplies, cashier's check.
10. Tell them you are praying for them and consistently do it!

Copyright2007 Edie Davis, MS, MFT

"Free Store" Locations Full

Due to a HUGE response, all of the drop off locations for the Kids Korps "Free Store" have been filled to capacity. Many thank yous to our generous community! Please do not bring any more supplies, as there is no room to store them.

However, they CAN use volunteers on Saturday (tomorrow, Oct 27) from 6am-noon to help sort and distribute all of these awesome donations!

Please go to South Creek Park near 12362 Springhurst Drive in San Diego starting at 6am to volunteer.

“Free Store” for fire victims

Note LOCATION CHANGE:
Here is info for a “Free Store” for fire victims. Debbie Kayton, one of our Canyon Springs family members, is hosting one of the drop off sites (11962 Mil Pitrero Rd)—or you can drop off items at South Creek Park, behind Creekside Elementary:

"We were fortunate enough to be able to host the KIDS KORPS FREE STORE for fire victims at South Creek Park, behind CREEKSIDE ELEMENTARY ON SATURDAY (NOT SUNDAY). You will be able to drop off donation items at the park directly behind the school : 12362 Springhurst Dr San Diego. We will open doors at 6:00 am on Saturday morning. We will begin the “FREE STORE” at 9:00am.Please focus your donations of items in good condition on the fire victims who need to set up a new rental home.(also school supplies, backpacks, Halloween costumes)"

This might be a great way for our kids and teens to give to other kids who have suffered loss. The simple act of shopping (with their own money) for a peer is a great way to learn about service and outreach. I know many of us know families who have been affected, and I am sure all of us are helping in some way. This is just another option to think about.

Praying that all of you are seeking what is important and valuable during this time. Let’s keep Christ at the center of all we do and say.

Through Christ,

Kirsten Loy