St. John the Baptist Catholic Church- Youth Programs

Parish Disaster Recovery Service Opportunities

Natalie Klostermann

St. John’s Parish Disaster Coordinator

Phone: (319) 551-7650

FLOOD RECOVERY UPDATE

ST. JOHN’S INVOLVEMENT

We all have our memories and stories of the Flood of 2008. Whether you were directly affected or watched news coverage of the devastation, the flood certainly left its mark in many ways—physical and emotional. The people of St. John the Baptist have responded generously with monetary contributions, food pantry donations, and a successful tool drive. Our parish has also had a group of volunteers helping with flood relief twice this summer. In July a group of St. John’s volunteers helped with flood clean-up in Cedar Rapids. And on August 23, our team helped a St. John’s parishioner whose home was destroyed by flooding.

Thank you SO MUCH to all who have volunteered their time and given in other important ways. Your gifts of time, talent and treasure are so valuable to those affected by this disaster.

TOOL DRIVE UPDATE

St. John’s tool drive was a huge success. The items have been delivered to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and have already been put to use. They were so thankful for St. John’s contributions. In a few short weeks we collected:

7 crow bars, 10 nail bars, 12 hammers, 1 pick ax, 4 goggles, 4 sledge hammers, 1 shovel, 2 saws, 2 wheelbarrows, 1 plastic wheeled container

And $40. THANK YOU ST. JOHN’S !!

You can still donate a tool or money to the tool drive. As the rebuilding process approaches, the crews will be in need of larger, more expensive items.

Please be assured that your donations to this cause are used strictly for tools needed for gutting and rebuilding. They are delivered directly into the hands of the organizer of the Cedar Rapids Catholic Churches, who is located at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. Please call Natalie at (319) 551-7650 for more information.

ST. JOHN’S VOLUNTEER CREWS

The feedback from the volunteers thus far indicates an interest in getting together once a month as a St. John’s group to aid in flood recovery. This could entail any number of tasks. We will most likely continue going out on Saturdays. If you are interested in getting emails or a phone call regarding our monthly plans, please let me know by calling or e-mailing me, and I will keep you informed.

CEDAR RAPIDS CATHOLIC CHURCHES

The Cedar Rapids Catholic Churches have been busy organizing their volunteers and sending crews out to help clean up. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and St. Pius X have been leading the efforts and have a structure in place to match work crews with homeowners who need help. They are welcoming volunteers and have a great link on the St. Pius website that is short and to the point and asks for a few specifics in terms of volunteers’ skills and what you may have to offer. This may be of interest to you if you would like to volunteer during the week or a weekend when St. John’s does not have a crew going out. The rebuilding process moves closer everyday, and there will be many flood victims who absolutely cannot afford to rebuild without the donations of labor and materials.

St. Pius website: www.stpiuscr.org. Click on the “Flood Relief/Recovery Survey” link.