FEBRUARY 2024 – VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES WITH WORLD RELIEF

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JANUARY 2023

The Committee on Missions/Church in Society is organizing a drive to collect Hygiene Kit items for refugees/asylum-seekers being served by World Relief. As we already know many persons are arriving in Chicago from places like Venezuela, Colombia, and other countries in order to seek asylum. Asylum seekers are following what U.S. law requires. In order to seek asylum people must physically come to the U.S. and present themselves to an official to declare their request for asylum. Once here, they are granted entry as they wait to present their case.

Why do they need so much help? Asylum-seekers may wait months before getting the chance to present their case for asylum. During this time they need money to live and a place to stay. However there is no financial provision for them and they aren’t legally allowed to work in the U.S. until they have received work authorization. This authorization can take 6-9 months, leaving them at risk of poverty and homelessness. World Relief therefore gives opportunities for the community to help asylum-seekers during this difficult time.

The Committee on Missions/Church in Society is responding by organizing a drive to collect hygiene kit items for these refugees/asylum-seekers. Youth group members will join the congregation in assembling these kits on January 29, 2023 in the Fellowship Hall between services.

Congregation members are invited to bring needed items to the Donation Station any time during the month of January. Needed items are:

  • Shampoo
  • Soap
  • Toothbrushes
  • Toothpaste
  • Deodorant
  • Disposable razors
  • Shaving Cream
  • Feminine hygiene products
  • Socks
  • Basic first aid supplies
  • Ibuprofen/Acetomenaphin
  • Durable shopping bags/totes

The Committees thank all of you in advance for your willingness to support “the strangers among us.”

APRIL 2022

WORLD RELIEF COLLECTION OF GIFT CARDS ON SUNDAY, MAY 8

They are looking for donations of gift cards from Amazon, Aldi, Goodwill, Target, or Walmart for groceries, medicine, and basic needs. They also would like gift cards for Uber or gas stations to help families get to urgent appointments.

The Mission Committee will deliver these items to World Relief in Carol Stream.  

November 2021

Dear Church Members,     

Thanks to all of you who attended the World Relief presentation by Chicagoland Executive Director Susan Sperry on October 24th.  I recently received an update from Rev. Keith Draper, Head of the Church and Volunteer Engagement Team for World Relief.  He writes…”we have now seen 23 people arrive in our Aurora office, 19 in our DuPage office, and 12 in our Chicago office.  And the numbers are growing from Afghanistan and around the world, so we want to see a sustained response to the growing needs.  We are now speaking about the waves of arrivals we expect over the next 6 to 9 months so churches can plan for and engage as they are able.”  I would add that the World Relief October Newsletter stated that, in the year ahead…”World Relief Chicagoland expects to welcome 235 Afghans and over 700 newly arriving refugees from all over the world..”  To put this in perspective…”This is an increase in refugee resettlement of over 600% since 2017.”     So the need remains great. 

My idea is to assemble at least one “kit” for a refugee family.  These kits are extensive, and include basic household necessities for a newly arriving family.  They include items for a bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen, as well as food, cleaning supplies, and miscellaneous items. I’ve already asked the leaders of groups within our church to spread the word and mobilize support within the groups they lead.  But it’s up to ALL of us to respond if we can. Please examine the Welcome Kit Lists to see if you could supply an item. (Bedroom sheets should be new but otherwise items can be “gently used.”)  Items are to be brought to the former Rt. 56  Sunday School room beneath the Fellowship Hall, (or old sanctuary), and will be delivered to the World Relief office in Carol Stream before Christmas. So let’s all work together to welcome the new neighbors in our midst!  Thanks to all of you for opening your hearts yet again.”  

In Christ,

Nancie Lillie and the Committee on Missions/Church in Society

For more information go to World Relief Chicagoland Website