Spirit

of

Service

In service,

Louisiana Flooding: 3 times more water than Katrina

US Coast Guard evacuates residents; (public domain)

Earlier this month, 20 parishes in southern Louisiana experienced disastrous flooding in what's been called the "worst US natural disaster since Hurricane Sandy in 2012."  To put this into perspective: Hurricane Katrina dumped about 2.3 trillion gallons of water on the state.  This latest storm has dumped about 7.1 trillion gallons of water on Louisiana, more than 3 times as much as Katrina, and enough to fill Lake Pontchartrain 4 times! (Facts courtesy of Wikipedia.org.)

An estimated 146,000 homes have been damaged or destroyed, along with thousands of businesses.  Most homeowners did not have flood insurance since they are not in an area considered to be high risk. 

Can you help, even a little?  News coverage of the flooding has been scarce, as media attention has focused on the upcoming election and the Olympics, so most of us didn't know how bad it was.  But a TOS worker in Louisiana wrote, " I am having a very difficult time trying to put into words how dire the situation is down here.  There are in excess of 100,000 homes that have been gutted . . . They had no warning that the water was coming.  Many had to be rescued and the only thing they got out with was the clothes on their backs, children, and pets.  They stayed in those same dirty clothes for days.  Over 150,000 people have put in claims with FEMA.  I was told by a FEMA agent today that most of the checks that will eventually be sent to home owners will be well below $10,000 dollars.  With that money, victims will have to rebuild their homes, replace a car or truck, buy household essentials, clothes, etc.  So, people are having to move back into these gutted homes with nothing.  And I mean NOTHING.  These people are going to need help on so many levels. . . .Tomorrow, as you go through your day, when you touch or pick something up, know that there are literally thousands of homes where that particular item will have to be replaced. Appliances large and small, sheet rock walls, door knobs, mini-blinds, mirror, pots and pans, toothbrush holder, light switches, a pillow, the dog's food bowl, etc., everything will have to be replaced. I'm hoping TOS might be able to help."

If you can help, please donate to the TOS by clicking here.  Choose "Other" from the drop-down box, and enter a payment comment "Louisiana flood."  Your donation will be converted to gift cards to stores such as Target, Walmart, Lowes and Home Depot.  A TOS representative in Louisiana will get the gift cards to the families in need. Thank you for your quick and generous response!

Milwaukee Lodge helps shelter for abused women

Milwaukee, Wisconsin (public domain)

For the past two years, members of the Milwaukee Lodge have helped support Daystar, Inc., a local long-term transitional housing facility for women who are victims of abuse and poverty.  With 10 private rooms, Daystar serves 18 to 25 women per year, offering a safe, home-like environment to women of all nationalities and faiths.  Residents have free access to laundry facilities as well as a computer lab, a fully-equipped workout room, a creative space and a peaceful outdoor space. Although Daystar offers workshops and groups onsite, it also offers referrals and transportation to outside services that help women heal and meet their goals.

Milwaukee TS/TOS members collected items for residents' needs as well as the needs of the facility itself. The group also collected monetary donations, and TOS Liaison Kathleen Neuman reports, "A check for $550.00 was given to Vicki Lipinski, Executive Director [of Daystar] on November 18, 2015, along with carloads of donations."  Yes, you read that right--carloads of donated items!  

"You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.” --John Bunyan

TOS Dharma Group distributes "War and the Soul"

to veterans with PTSD

The TOS Dharma Group, a study and service group at Olcott in Wheaton, Illinois, took on a project to help veterans in their area, one in eight of whom suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).  Soldiers suffering from PTSD are often unable to work, cannot sustain intimate relationships, and cannot engage in creative work or self-realization.

In War and the Soul, Dr. Edward Tick describes PTSD as an identity disorder, then shows ways to nurture a positive identity based in compassion and forgiveness.

TOS Dharma Group members delivered paperback and audiobook versions of "War and the Soul" to local veterans' organizations, putting Dr. Tick's information into the hands of those who need it most.

In Portland, TOS members supported the Chief Joseph School’s backpack program by purchasing backpacks and stuffing them with food items. 

The food-filled backpacks are sent home with children who otherwise would not have enough to eat over the weekend and during school breaks.

 "A union of those who love in the service of all that suffers."

www.TheoService.org