Focus on Volunteers

     Volunteerism is contagious. If a person is inclined to volunteer for one thing, it seems he or she "gets bitten" to volunteer for any number of projects and programs – and not only those targeted to their local communities and churches, but also others benefiting their state, country, or the world at large.

     Volunteers at the Salvatorian Mission Warehouse certainly fit this description.  They share the belief that they've been blessed and thus eagerly volunteer to "give back," offering a helping hand wherever it's needed.  Since there are always "different strokes for different folks," each person embraces volunteer activities that suit one's distinctive gifts and talents.

     Hurricane Katrina proved catastrophic for millions of people in the Mississippi Delta.  And yet amid all the devastation, Salvatorian Mission Warehouse volunteers have found an opportunity to help those in the New Orleans area whose lives have been turned topsy-turvy.  Elmer Hanke is a regular volunteer who for the past three years has donated two days a week to the Mission Warehouse. Moreover, he has twice joined a group from Appleton, Wisconsin that journeyed by bus to Slidell, Louisiana.

     Elmer's skills as a home builder proved extremely beneficial and were greatly appreciated by the Habitat for Humanity crew with whom he worked.  He now donates his time to Habitat projects in the Appleton area as well.

     Relative newcomers to the Salvatorian Mission Warehouse are Jack and Karen Egan, who have volunteered for four years and donate one day per week.  They too were drawn to the hurricane-ravaged area of New Orleans to assist with Habitat for Humanity projects, in April 2007 and again this past May.  As members of the Katrina Sister Parish Outreach Program, they along with members of Catholic parishes in Sheboygan, Kohler, and Sheboygan Falls have raised money to send to their "sister parish" in New Orleans, providing assistance to those just getting back on their feet.

     Upon arriving in New Orleans in April 2007, the Egans and their group were shocked and dismayed at the destruction they found, despite the fact that most areas had been "cleaned up."  What they encountered was a ghost town with empty neighborhoods, gutted strip malls and businesses, and hundreds of FEMA trailers set up as mini-cities in parking lots and on company land.  Returning a year later, they've been pleased to note a number of impressive improvements.  Neighborhoods show evidence of restoration, and several businesses have reopened.  People definitely have returned and are attempting to restore life as it once was. Nonetheless, those gulf cities that were completely wiped out by Hurricane Katrina still have a long way to go, and New Orleans itself will depend on volunteers for many years to come.

     Some of you reading this may have traveled to New Orleans or some other Gulf Coast city, perhaps even as volunteers!  If so, congratulations, and thank you!  It is sad but inevitable that, with the flood, tornado, and fire devastation occurring in other parts of the country, thousands of people will likewise be needed elsewhere as volunteers.  Will you be one of them?  You're encouraged to join the forces.  Maybe you'll catch the bug!

The following emails and letters were received recently at the Salvatorian Mission Warehouse: Sister Dorothy Pelt Parroquia Sagrado Corazon de Jesus Puerto Cortes, Honduras Wednesday, July 2, 2008 Dear Brother Regis,      Once again we want to say a big "thank you" for the wonderful, helpful things that you send for all our people.  The words "thank you" seem inadequate for all the good that you do for those who have next to nothing.  All the paper goods, the Land's End gifts, the shoes, the food products, the candy which is always a special treat, and above all the medicines that you are able to send are invaluable.      In the last shipment there were very many cases of vitamins and calcium tablets.  We distributed them far and wide.  They were a great supplement for those who have a steady diet of corn and beans.  Now we have been receiving reports from the people that they are feeling better since they have been taking them.  We gave some to the local public hospital and health clinic where the poor arrive daily for help.  They really reached the people who needed them.      Another year has come around when we look forward to the celebration of Children's Day.  With your help this is an occasion when we can bring a lot of joy to the children in the poor villages in the mountains.  Your help is what makes it possible for us to help them.  There are some 60 villages where we provide what is necessary for the celebration.  You may be sure that it is a day when all the children show up.  There are at least 100 or more children in each village, so you can see how much joy you bring to so many people.  I wish that you could see the joy on the faces of the children on that day.      Your staff and faithful volunteers deserve a big "thank you", too.  Their dedication makes many things possible. May the Lord send you many blessings. Sincerely, Sister Dorothy ********** Chillan, Chile May, 2008 Dear Brother Regis,      First of all, I wish to tell you that our country is suffering a series of blows from nature.  First there was the eruption of the volcano located near the city of Chaiten in the Province of Palena.  At this moment, Chaiten looks like a ghost town.  Everyone was evacuated, and then came a torrential rain, which devastated many houses.  Soon the animals will begin to die as the result of contamination in the ashes that cover everything.      Right now, in our dioceses, we have been suffering from strong rains, which have caused closed roads, collapsed bridges, and isolated cities and towns, with many people housed in emergency shelters.      In both situations, we as Church have launched campaigns of solidarity.  And once again we see people's great solidarity, which, in addition to what you have sent, has been of great help to those who are enduring such hardships.      Donated products from the last container which you sent to the Diocese of Chillan have been delivered to the victims in both emergency situations.  This donation has been made through parishes, with the assistance of corps of Social Action volunteers which exist in every parish.      In addition, these supplies have been delivered to the poorest and most vulnerable groups in our diocese: senior citizens, parish workshops, soup kitchens for children and older adults, and other diocesan institutions which serve our neediest brothers and sisters in the Chillan community.      The medications have gone to the two diocesan clinics: Blessed Josepha and Saint Martin de Porres.  The latter is located in the barrio and the surrounding area.      We wish to express our gratitude for your donations, through which we are able to assist and serve our neediest brothers and sisters in this diocese.      We hope that we may continue to count on your generous collaboration, it is my pleasure to greet you and to assure you once more of our prayers for you, your coworkers, and benefactors. Marcello Gaete Silva Executive Secretary Department of Fraternal Action Diocese of Chillan ********** The following letter has been translated from Italian into English. Quelele Guinea-Bissau, West Africa June, 2008 Dear Brother Regis,      Peace Be With You!      Please accept our most sincere thank you for the three containers already received and distributed.      We encountered quite a few problems at the customs with the last one received because of the expiration date of some items.  It took longer but at the end we were able to satisfy over 500 families.      You should have seen the joy and smiles on everybody's faces thanks to the First Communion Gift Sets that we were able to put together and give away.      Your generosity and support is always a blessing, especially at this time when our economy is in trouble with the rising of the cost of living.      As usual, please extend our prayerful thanks to all of the volunteers, benefactors, and friends that made this donation possible.      You have always a special place in our hearts and in our prayers. Sincerely in Christ, Sister Rosanna ********** The following letter has been translated from Spanish into English. Cochabamba, Bolivia June, 2008 Dear Brother Regis,      Peace and Blessings!      We don't know how to thank you for the containers already received and the ones on their way.      We were able to give away nice gift baskets just in time for Mother's Day.  The joy and happiness on everybody's face was priceless.      Your generosity and continuous support is greatly appreciated.  Every little bit helps!      Please pass along our thank you to all the benefactors and friends in the U.S. that made this donation possible.      You are always remembered in our prayers.      May God bless you and your work. Sincerely in Christ, Sister Chiara and the Sisters of the Divino Sacerdote ********** Diocesis de la Santisima Concepcion del Paraguay Conception, Paraguay June 4, 2008 Dear Brother Regis!      Today I can confirm you that we received container number 700 279, which reached in good conditions the 27th of May, 2008.      The overcoats are so useful now, because here - after the summer heat - the temperature sank to 7 degrees celsius and nobody has heating in his house.      Thanks too for the shoes.  During the rest of the year our people use sandals, but now with the cold and rain they are glad to receive the shoes.      The same I can say from the Tylenol medicine for children and adults, because here many people are sick from influenza because of the cold.      For the poor which cannot buy new clothing in the shops, the sewing material is a great help to sew their own clothing, using the sewing machine you sent us.  Here we have a friend who controls all the machines and puts transformers, because here we have 220 volts.      The Tylenol Arthritis is such a great help for many sicks, which now can walk and live without pain.  Please - if you can - send us more of it.      The food items like cans, crackers, pretzels, etc. we continue to distribute among the Indian natives.      If you can, please send us again :  Lotrimine and Listerine and milk-powder.      Thank you very much for all your help. With the best greetings and wishes I remain, Monsignor Harald Wilhelm Vicario Episcopal