October 18, 2024 Newsletter
Praise God with us as we celebrate sending $408,254.10 worth of disaster relief supplies to those affected by the recent hurricanes!
If you’ve been following along, you know that we had previously planned to send our first shipment of disaster relief on Monday, October 7, but due to Hurricane Milton’s arrival it was postponed due to our partner, Food For The Poor’s, request.
After Hurricane Milton made its landfall, and Food For The Poor made assessments on the ground, we were anticipating the first shipment going out this week. Instead, we sent THREE shipments of disaster relief out!
The first shipment was to the Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, Florida to provide much-needed relief to Pasco County residents still recovering from Hurricanes Milton and Helene. The shipment left our warehouse on Monday, October 14 and has already arrived and they have started distributing supplies.
Food For The Poor kindly sent us a video thanking Midwest Mission (volunteers, donors, prayer warriors!) for all that was sent. “Behind me are all of your amazing Cleaning Kits… I just want to say thank you from Food For The Poor to Midwest Mission.” You can watch the video here to hear all of their kind words, and to see what a distribution site looks like!
A second truck quickly arrived on Wednesday, October 16 and was filled with Cleaning Kits, Disaster Hygiene Kits, and tarps. The truck will make two stops – one in Lakeland, Florida and one in Safety Harbor, Florida. Both stops are distribution points about 20 miles away from the epicenter of the hurricane.
The third shipment was a little unexpected. Every year, we send Student Kits as part of Food For The Poor’s giant Disaster Relief Kits that they pre-stage in nine countries, and hold here in the United States in case of disaster. They asked if they could receive the shipment of Student Kits earlier, so they can pre-stage the Kits earlier, and if they could have more Student Kits than normal. So, Brad Walton, Operations Manager, prepared the supplies. But, there was still room. It was decided, since the truck would be going to Food For The Poor’s warehouse in Coconut Creek, Florida, that more hurricane relief supplies would be added for immediate distribution! When the truck pulled in on Wednesday, October 16, they loaded the Student Kits and were able to add 1,008 Disaster Hygiene Kits and 280 Personal Dignity Kits on the shipment! God works in great ways!
We can’t thank you enough for your outpouring of generosity.
Because of your quick response with monetary and physical donations, we have sent:
6,496 Disaster Hygiene Kits
3,024 Disaster Cleaning Kits
13,807 Heavy duty trash bags (Many donated by Masco in Springfield, in conjunction with the Bank of Springfield)
240 Tarps (Donated by Lamar Advertising)
208 Personal Dignity Kits
1 Generator
6,400 Disposable diapers
As stated above, these disaster relief supplies were worth a total of $408,254.10 – and that doesn’t even include the 7,280 Student Kits!
All of this was able to happen because of YOU. Whether you assembled Disaster Cleaning Kits at the Bucket Brigade at Midwest Mission Iowa, or assembled Disaster Hygiene Kits at Midwest Mission in Illinois, or you’ve volunteered here, donated funds, sent supplies, or built kits at home … we couldn’t do it without you.
Kent Douglas, a regular desk shop volunteer, is a Thrivent member. He applied for Thrivent’s Action Team Grant and received $250 that he used to purchase 32 bottles of laundry detergent and 11 boxes of heavy duty trash bags. If you’re a Thrivent member, you can also seek funds for a Thrivent Action Event, and go out and get supplies! Thank you, Kent!
Jenifer Brownell read the recent newsletters and knew we were desperately in need of supplies, so she gathered her friends together. They made 86 Disaster Hygiene Kits for the hurricane victims! WOW! Thank you, ladies!
Keep the generosity going! There are still so many people in need, and we foresee this disaster response continuing for several weeks, if not months. Our shelves are empty. We need to quickly replenish supplies so we can send out more relief as we receive requests.
You can:
Purchase supplies listed in the current needs section of the newsletter.
Donate funds here so we can continue purchasing supplies to build Cleaning Kits and Hygiene Kits.
Get a group together to make Kits at home.
Pray! Pray! Pray! Pray for those who are in the midst of this crisis, pray for the volunteers on the ground, the truck drivers, the donors – everyone involved in bringing help and hope to people in this devastating time.
It is Well with My Soul
Remembering Louise Corder
Louise “Weezy” Corder passed away, Tuesday, Oct. 8, at the age of 86. This beautiful woman wore a big smile that would melt your heart. She was also direct and didn’t mince words. You could be sure she meant what she said. Her eyes softened when she smiled, and simultaneously shone a hint of orneriness. And she loved spending time at Midwest Mission.
“Midwest Mission saved my life. When I lost John (her husband), I had to find something to do.” She expressed this sentiment many times when we visited on Tuesdays, and I am sure she shared the same story with others. She actually started volunteering in 2000, as the ministry launched. She gave 2,500+ volunteer hours, matching, rolling and packing over 100,000 little boy and little girl outfits. She enjoyed seeing the vast variety of fabrics people who sewed the outfits chose. As she sifted and sorted the dresses, tops, and pairs of shorts, she would hold each piece up and carefully inspect it, ensuring the quality. She then laid it flat on the table, and with her loving, beautifully manicured hands she smoothed out wrinkles and systematically folded each little garment. She smiled as she prayed for every child who would receive an outfit. It was so clearly her passion and filled her heart.
Her heart was in caring for others. The love she had for her three children, Wes, Laura and Sara, her three grandchildren, four great grandchildren, her entire family and even her church family led many conversations. That love and servant's heart carried over into her career as a teacher at the Illinois School for the Deaf, and as Youth Group Advisor at Grace United Methodist Church in Jacksonville, IL.
I noticed one day that she carried a MacMurray College key ring. Instantly, we connected as fellow alumni. We talked about our fond memories there, even though they were decades apart. When we sang happy birthday to her each April 27, during break time she always reminded us that she shared her birthday with President Ulysses Grant. She brought her lunch when she came in on Tuesdays. Often it was something from Wendy’s and a Luncheable. She was always happiest when her daughter, Sara, joined her. They would sit, sort, chat and serve the children as they put together what might be the only outfit a little girl or boy might receive. There was joy as they worked side by side, or across the table from each other.
There was one thing she was vocal about and didn’t like. Oh, my, trying to take her picture was a battle. Actually, I think she liked the coaxing and the attention, but she would never admit it. It did take some sweet talking, and I wouldn’t take no for an answer. Finally, she would give up and shine that smile of hers and the ornery sparkle shone bright. I am so grateful for those silly exchanges we had. For the many conversations we had and for the phrase I learned and felt from her. I vividly remember walking with her to break time and she said, “Lisa, I love you madly!” Louise, I love you madly and will miss you just as much! I am confident that your soul is well as you roam the streets of heaven. I am just as sure that as you met Jesus face to face and reunited with your beloved husband that you are in your forever “Somewhere,” and it is well with your soul. With Love and Gratitude, Lisa Rigoni and the entire Midwest Mission Family.
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