Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief
Posted 2009.02.04
By Harmony Trevino
Past Shipments:
- 2009.04.28 – Send Supplies for Long-Term Efforts in Houston
- Send a Shipment of Supplies and Food
- Ship Food to New Orleans
- Send Two Shipments for Relief Efforts
- Send Ten Truckloads of Relief
Giving Children Hope has been working to restore the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005.
Join our long-term efforts to bring food and other necessities to the Gulf Coast area, and help people who are still struggling to get back on their feet.
Updates & Visuals
Photos:
Updates:
Children Raise Money for Families in Gulf Coast
The children at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church helped raise money for children and families affected by Hurricane Katrina. The church’s Vacation Bible School was set in the bayou this year, so the church wanted the children to get involved and help the recovering communities in the Gulf Coast.
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church serves the local community with their various outreach programs. Giving Children Hope wants to thank the church and the children for helping us continue our long-term efforts to the region!
Update from Church of the King
Giving Children Hope continues to help develop the New Orleans area after Hurricane Katrina. Here is feedback on a recent shipment from our partners Church of the King:
We hosted our 3rd community block party for the city of New Orleans and our focused theme was “Back-to-School”. Thanks to all of the volunteered time, and donated supplies, this event was a huge success!
With your help we supplied over 200 children with school supplies and backpacks, and served over 600 residents with free meals, and medical care. From the musical entertainment to the bounce houses, we were able to make a positive impact on families lives!
Thanks to everyone who made this event possible, and we look forward to the next one!!
—
Bryan Umphenour
Worship Leader/Reach Assistant
COTK
Donate today to help us continue these efforts.
Another Shipment Leaves for New Orleans
A shipment of building supplies, food and toys left the Giving Children Hope Distribution Center bound for New Orleans, Louisiana.
The building supplies will be used by Orange Lutheran High School students who will travel down to New Orleans the week of Christmas to partake in the rebuilding and refurbishment of houses in New Orleans.
Boxes of food will be delivered to Giving Children Hope partners, the Dream Center and the Awesome Girls mentoring program. The Awesome Girls will be receiving stuffed animals; one for each of the young ladies in the program.
The shipment will arrive in time for the December 21st tree lighting ceremony at which the ‘Awesome Girls’ will participate, distributing food boxes to children and families in attendance. James Rogers, Executive Director of the mentoring program, shared that food is among the greatest needs in the region even two years after Hurricane Katrina.
Giving Children Hope remains committed to the many communities along the Gulf Coast. On Wednesday, December 12th, a truckload of food and toys left the GCH Distribution Center bound for Houston, Texas, where Giving Children Hope supported shelters immediately after Katrina and remains supportive of local ministries and outreach programs.
A special “Thank You!” goes out to Mike at Millenium Transportation who made Wednesday’s Houston shipment possible!
President of GCH Visits Houston
John Ditty, Founder, President and CEO of Giving Children Hope made a special visit to the Lindale Assembly of God Church in Houston, TX. He was met by a shipment of humanitarian aid shipped from Giving Children Hope’s distribution center in Buena Park on May 16.
The food and clothing was distributed to over 500 families at church, where there Houston Department of Health and Human Services also offered free health services to those in the community whom could not afford it.
This shipment is part of Giving Children Hope’s long-term relief efforts in the Gulf Coast Region post-Hurricane Katrina and Rita. Check out more of our work in the Gulf Coast.
- We would like to give a special “Thank You” to Mega Fleet Corp for all their help
Trailer of Goods to Houston
Today, Giving Children Hope is sending a 53-foot trailer of goods to Houston, Texas, as a part of Giving Children Hope’s ongoing relief efforts in the Gulf Coast, a region devastated Hurricane Katrina and Rita in 2005.
The container, shipping from Giving Children Hope’s distribution center in Buena Park, is filled with food, baby formula, diapers, and school supplies; items still needed in that area.
The goods will arrive at the Lindale Assembly of God in Houston and the church will pass out the goods to their list of people who were greatly affected by Hurricane Katrina.
Hurricane Katrina was the costliest and one of the five deadliest hurricanes in the history of the United States. It was the sixth-strongest Atlantic hurricane ever recorded and the third-strongest hurricane on record that made landfall in the United States.
Hurricane Rita was the fourth-most intense Atlantic hurricane ever recorded and the most intense tropical cyclone ever observed in the Gulf of Mexico. Rita caused $11.3 billion in damage on the U.S. Gulf Coast in September 2005.
Two More Shipments Arrive
Giving Children Hope continues to send containers of aid to help relieve those still affected by Hurricane Katrina.
The last shipment arrived in late May for distribution by the New Orleans Dream Center and the Awesome Girls Mentoring Program. It contained boxes of food, hygiene supplies, school supplies and medicine.
The food and supplies are given away to anyone in need. Past distributions have brought relief to the homeless, needy families and senior citizens.
The long term damage of Hurricane Katrina has left so many homeless and impoverished. Although this region is no longer the focus of the media, Giving Children Hope asserts that its people still need our help.
Update from New Orleans Dream Center
The New Orleans Dream Center, a recipient of food aid from Giving Children Hope, hosted a free community party for the people of New Orleans on March 15th.
The party was part of a two week service event called “Converge” put on by volunteer groups from across the country. It included a free BBQ, free medical and dental checkups and free boxes of food.
Each attending family was given one full box of dry good groceries. These boxes were part of a container donated by Giving Children Hope, which continues to send monthly shipments of aid to New Orleans. A total of 156 boxes of food were distributed to needy families during the event.
The New Orleans Dream Center is sponsored by Church of the King in Mandeville, Louisiana. This event is one example of their many efforts to help repair the long-term damage caused by hurricane Katrina. Although this region is no longer the focus of the media, Giving Children Hope asserts that its people still need our help.
Update from Lindale Assembly of God Church
Giving Children Hope has an ongoing relief and development program focused on communities along the Gulf Coast that are still rebuilding in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
In December 2007, Giving Children Hope sent truckloads of food, clothing, and toys to partners in Houston and New Orleans, which were then distributed to children and families in need. Long time friends and partners of Giving Children Hope, Pastor Randy and Jana Meeks at Lindale Assembly of God in Houston, Texas, received a truckload of food and clothing in time for a holiday distribution, benefiting children and families still struggling to rebuild their lives after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Jana Meeks sent a package this January 2008 with pictures of the distribution and this letter:
“I just can’t even begin to think that I can express to you the gratitude that Randy and I and our church has for you and [Giving Children Hope]. We are absolutely stunned every time a truck pulls in and starts unloading.
Over the Christmas and New Year’s season, we fed and clothed over 400 families, many of them returning Katrina & Rita victims. They could hardly believe after all that time that they were still being remembered. At the beginning of our planning sessions for the holiday season, I told my staff that we were not going to be able to give out as much food this year. The budget had tightened unexpectedly, leaving us wondering how God was going to provide. My heart ached for the ones I knew would be looking for us to help… When your call came that you were sending food, I came into my office, shut the door, and cried like a baby.
The clothes and shoes were just a huge bonus. Mother and dads, little kids, [and] teenagers all reacted pretty much the same. They walked around kind of dazed for a couple of minutes and then they went into search and seize mode. It was so much fun to be a part of.
We have been overwhelmed and humbled by the generosity and unbelievable timing of the blessings from our “West Coast” family. We pray continually for God’s blessing and provision for every mission of kindness you undertake.
Much love and thanks,
Randy and Jana & Lindale Assembly of God
Thank YOU for your partnership and contribution which helps us here at Giving Children Hope send much needed items in to our partners, such as Randy and Jana Meeks, who in turn can get them in the hands of children and families in dire need. This is truly YOUR organization, and with your help, we can continue to touch lives!
Shipment Leaves for New Orleans
A shipment of building supplies, food and toys left the Giving Children Hope Distribution Center bound for New Orleans, Louisiana.
The building supplies will be used by Orange Lutheran High School students who will travel down to New Orleans the week of Christmas to partake in the rebuilding and refurnishing of houses in New Orleans.
Boxes of food will be delivered to Giving Children Hope partners, the Dream Center and the Awesome Girls mentoring program. The Awesome Girls will be receiving stuffed animals; one for each of the young ladies in the program.
The shipment will arrive in time for the December 21st tree lighting ceremony at which the Awesome Girls will participate, distributing food boxes to children and families in attendance. James Rogers, Executive Director of the mentoring program, shared that food is among the greatest needs in the region even two years after Hurricane Katrina.
Giving Children Hope remains committed to the many communities along the Gulf Coast. On Wednesday, December 12th, a truckload of food and toys left the GCH Distribution Center bound for Houston, Texas, where Giving Children Hope supported shelters immediately after Katrina and remains supportive of local ministries and outreach programs.
A special “Thank You!” goes out to Mike at Millennium Transportation who made Wednesday’s Houston shipment possible!
One of Six Trucks Arrive in Baton Rouge
The first truck of supplies arrived in Baton Rouge Monday morning and was distributed by Monday afternoon. Over 37,000 pounds of food, water and hygiene supplies were sent to several locations in the New Orleans area. One of these locations was the city of Donaldsonville. Though the town itself sustained little damage in the storm, they have been overwhelmed with refugees from New Orleans. The mayor is organizing the churches of the town to provide hot meals each day and Giving Children Hope provided them with a mobile kitchen and six pick up trucks full of food. The mayor and the State Representative for the district were thrilled to be able to receive our help.
Six More Trucks of Relief Aid Bound for the Gulf Coast
Since the first truck arrived in Baton Rouge, LA on September 3rd, six more trucks filled with relief supplies have been sent to Baton Rouge, LA, Biloxi and Gulfport, MS, and Houston, TX and another one is scheduled to leave our Buena Park distribution center on September 16th.
Several tons of products, including non-perishable food, diapers, water, hygiene products, feminine products, new blankets and sleeping bags, and kitchen and cleaning supplies have been delivered to churches and shelters for distribution to people in need.
To date, churches and shelters working with GCH to assist hurricane victims have been thrilled with the help and have immediately worked on giving out donated products to hurricane victims who have been forced from their homes.
Etnies Shoe Company Donates Shoes
Etnies CEO Pierre Senizergues donated 5,000 pairs of shoes and 5,000 pieces of apparel to Giving Children Hope on Friday for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The donation of over four tons was collected from the Etnies Lake Forest headquarters, with camera crews from FOX, ABC, and KOCE, there to document the exceedingly generous donation.
Giving Children Hope is extremely thankful to Etnies for their assistance in the vital task of providing relief. Thousands of residents in the Gulf Coast states lost everything, forced to evacuate their homes out of necessity with only the clothes on their backs. With the Etnies donation, GCH will be able to serve many of these evacuees and victims by providing them with much-needed brand new shoes and t-shirts.
The majority of the Etnies shoes and shirts will be sent by truck to Lindale Assembly of God in Houston, TX on Tuesday and distributed to evacuees in the shelter there by Thursday.
Coca-Cola Helps GCH's Efforts
The Coca-Cola Company has collaborated with Giving Children Hope and has provided two truckloads of pink lemonade to hurricane victims in Kenner, LA and Houston, TX. Coca-Cola generously donated 2200 boxes of pink lemonade, and trucked them to Louisiana and Texas where GCH will direct and coordinate the distribution of the product.
Two Shipments Leave for Gulf Coast
Two 53-foot trucks full of cleaning supplies, kitchen equipment, food and clothing left for Lindale Assembly of God church in Houston, TX and St. Pual Methodist Church in Ocean Springs, MS.
Quiksilver Donates to Katrina Relief Efforts
Giving Children Hope is extremely thankful to Quiksilver for their generous donation to benefit and assist the victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The popular skate/surf company donated fifty pallets of Roxy and Quiksilver accessories and apparel to GCH today. After picking up the donation from Quiksilver’s headquarters, the product was brought back to GCH’s Buena Park warehouse, where boxes overflowing with brand new clothes, shoes, underwear, socks, pajamas, luggage, and purses were prepared for transport. The donated products will be sent out on Monday and Wednesday to the Powerhouse of Deliverance church in Gulfport, MS and Lindale Assemblies of God in Houston, TX.
Groups Receive Food Shipment
Awesome Girls have received Giving Children Hope’s shipment of food!
Vineyard Mercy Response also receive the 12 pallets of food, new shoes and clothing items La Habra Vineyard is sponsored.
The rest of the food shipment went toward the Church of the King’s and the New Orleans Dream Center. This full-scale project to impact and transform a community through the provision of much needed services. This includes CityReach Rebuild Teams, Adopt-A-Block, Adult Learning Center, Employment Center, After School Programs and Medical and Dental Clinics. GCH is outfitting a commercial kitchen to assist the Dream Center in its mission to serve those in need.
Food Shipped
GCH sent out a truckload destined for Awesome Girls. The program conducts health, nutrition and a variety of enrichment activities to fill in the gap and give guidance to young women in need.
Community Comes Together for Gulf Coast
Since the start of Giving Children Hope’s humanitarian assistance in the Gulf Coast, there has been a tremendous outpouring of community support for hurricane relief. This support is an essential part of GCH’s relief work and helps to expand the range of aid and assistance offered to hurricane victims.
Students and teachers at several local schools – from grade schools, to high schools, to adult schools – have rallied together to make a difference in communities ravaged by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Below are some of the many examples of individuals and schools in the local community using creativity to reach out to those in need:
At Oceanview High School in Huntington Beach, members of the Future Business Leader’s Association organized a candy sale and generously donated their proceeds to Giving Children Hope. A GCH representative met with the students to thank them for their hard work.
Students at the Marine Avenue Learning Center
Students at the Marine Avenue Learning Center, a Wilmington branch of the Harbor Community Adult School purchased hygiene items, such as lotions, soaps, and shampoos, and put together several hygiene kits. The students, who are in English as a Second Language courses, also wrote notes to include in each kit, adding that extra personal touch. GCH distributed the hygiene kits to churches and shelters in the Gulf Coast.
Jayme Rubin developed a project she called “Sleep Tight.”
Jayme Rubin, a 5th grader at Brawerman Elementary School in Los Angeles developed a project she called “Sleep Tight.” Noting that many evacuees were constantly relocating, she “thought it would be nice if these children could have [personal sleeping bags], so if he or she had to move around they could at least have their own sleeping bag and pillow.” After finding a company that would sell fleece sleeping bag and pillow sets for $4.00 each, Jayme collected donations from classmates and friends – raising enough money to purchase 96 sleeping bags! Personal notes and drawings were included with each bag, showing the young victims of the hurricanes that they have not been forgotten.
President of GCH Spends Thanksgiving in Louisiana
Leaving GCH’s Buena Park headquarters on Thursday, John Ditty and his two sons Jonathan and Josiah spent the first half of Thanksgiving week in Lake Charles, LA, where they cleaned up and repaired dilapidated homes. After receiving and coordinating two truckloads of shipments at GCH’s Baton Rouge distribution center, Ditty and his sons joined a high school team in New Orleans.
GCH, with the high school students, served Thanksgiving dinner to over 500 individuals on Wednesday and Thursday. Over the two day period, 50 turkeys were cooked using deep fryers donated by Imperial Manufacturing of Corona. Dinners were served to families at the feeding center and also distributed to families in their homes. GCH made available several pallets of non-perishable food, school supplies, and hygiene items so that families could personally select needed items.
Students and parents packed several “Boxes of Love” that were filled with food and hygiene items to be distributed to families while Children’s Network International provided GCH with “Care Boxes” filled with hygiene items and school supplies to distribute.
The Thanksgiving outreach proved greatly successful and touched hundreds of families still attempting to rebuild their lives following the destruction of Hurricane Katrina. With the help of donors and partners, GCH was able to bring some much needed holiday cheer to one of the worst-hit parts of New Orleans.
GCH and High School Students Help Rebuild Homes
Orange Lutheran High School students along with the son of Giving Children Hope’s President, Jonathan, traveled to rebuild damaged homes still needing construction. The students used the donated construction supplies from GCH.
Jonathan describes his efforts:
We ripped up the floor in one person’s home and put another one in its place. Then we did insulation work on two homes and hung drywall the rest of the time. One day we sat and listened for an hour to a man who poured his heart out lamenting on what they had gone through. He was an intellectual guy. In one area a family who we had helped cooked eight of us ribs for lunch, the next day they fed 12 with steak, and then the following day there were 15 of us that enjoyed fried chicken. They were really nice people and the food was delicious.“
I think for all of us the work on the Jefferson’s home was by far the highlight. Mrs. Jefferson was so gracious and loving. She had been waiting for six months to get some work done on her house and now in a matter of days the crew of young people insulated, drywalled and transformed her stud bare shell of a house to a home of hope. Mark, our leader, even built Mrs. Jefferson two archways leading from her living room to the kitchen. Mrs. Jefferson was beaming from ear to ear and nothing pleased her more then viewing those new archways.
Everyday that we worked on her home she would make us a hot lunch. Mr. Jefferson would cook and Mrs. Jefferson would serve us. We had Salisbury steak, fried chicken, salad and always a wonderful desert. She made all of us feel special and right at home with family members always dropping in to see the progress of her home.
Rebuild the Gulf Coast
Giving Children Hope has sent a shipment of construction supplies to help rebuild the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina hit the region. The President of Giving Children Hope, John Ditty, will be visiting the area with a team that will help distribute food and will help rebuild infrastructures that were damaged.
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2012.02.29 – Philippines ($9,975) /$10k
2012.02.29 – India ($9,975) /$10k
2012.06.30 – United States of America ($10k) /$15k
2012.06.30 – United States of America ($276k) /$620k
2012.09.30 – Iraq ($10k) /$15k
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