 |
 |
Local Walk Websites
- Barrington Area
- Chicago
- Crystal Lake
- Naperville
- Proviso
- Quad Cities
- South DuPage County
- Tri-Cities
- Walkathon West (Oak Park, River Forest, Forest Park)
CWS Speak Out
- Read about...
Tools & Blankets
 In the rural community of La Bombita, Dominican Republic, this mother takes a moment to cuddle her children under a blanket provided in November by Church World Service, with Blanket Sunday funds.
Photo: Julia Jones
|
Many congregations are planning Blanket Sundays for spring. Recently, Julia Jones, regional assistant director of Church World Service, visited Haiti and the Dominican Republic which were affected by Hurricane Noel in November 2007. In the DR, some 16,712 houses were affected, of which 737 were completely destroyed. People had to evacuate flooded communities, and many are still cleaning the mud from their homes. In many poor communities in the southern area, Church World Service distributed water, food, Hygiene Kits, and lightweight, water resistant blankets. The blankets were provided with Blanket Sunday offering funds. Residents lost many possessions, and even friends and relatives, but the people Julia spoke to expressed a sense of hope for the future, and, as they clutched their blankets to them, or wrapped them around sleeping children, deep gratitude for the help they received from Church World Service and the Blankets program.
For information on the Tools & Blankets program, please contact the regional Church World Service office at (888) 297-2767. Speakers are available, as well as videos and other educational materials for Tools or Blanket Sundays.
The 26th Annual Festival of Sharing just keeps giving to Church World Service.
In 26 years the Festival of Sharing Quilt Auction has generated $737, 064 for the Church World Service Tools and Blanket Program! What an amazing effort by countless women and men, stitching their love and care into quilts to benefit people in need. In 2007, quilts at the Festival generated nearly $35,000!
Also in 2007, an incredible 35,000 lbs in kits went to New Windsor, Maryland and Ferncliff, Arkansas, with special thanks to Dave Porter Trucking donation. And thanks to the many participants who brought all the materials and spent hours sorting and packing the kits. So many hearts and hands do wonderful work!
The 2007 Festival of Sharing was the third largest year in Festival of Sharing history. The highest year was in 2005, in support of Katrina and the Tsunami disasters. The overall Festival this year generated $939,588 in cash and in kind giving – an increase of 18% from 2006!
We want to send our sincere “Thank You”, to all of the churches and all of the Volunteers who support the Festival of Sharing.
Also in 2007, an incredible 35,000 lbs in kits went to New Windsor, Maryland and Ferncliff, Arkansas, with special thanks to Dave Porter Trucking donation. And thanks to the many participants who brought all the materials and spent hours sorting and packing the kits. So many hearts and hands do wonderful work!
The 2007 Festival of Sharing was the third largest year in Festival of Sharing history. The highest year was in 2005, in support of Katrina and the Tsunami disasters. The overall Festival this year generated $939,588 in cash and in kind giving – an increase of 18% from 2006!
We want to send our sincere “Thank You”, to all of the churches and all of the Volunteers who support the Festival of Sharing.
Tools & Blankets Resources
- Visit the CWS Tools & Blankets Resources page for graphics, skits and other materials to liven up your Tools & Blankets event.
- Order materials online or phone our national service center, 1-800-297-1516