Mississippi Mission 6:
The Diocese of Easton teams
are returning to Camp Coast Care
“It’s all about hope + love” *

Volunteers can go either week or stay for both. We will again go to Camp Coast Care in Long Beach, Miss. on the Gulf Coast. This is a mission point for the Lutheran Episcopal Services in Mississippi, our partner for the Diocese of Easton, and is supported by Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD).
     Camp Coast Care has adapted to the ongoing needs of the people affected by Hurricane Katrina. The focus has settled on construction and rebuilding efforts in the communities of Gulfport, Long Beach and Pass Christian. There is no longer a need for food items, clothing, or medical supplies at Camp Coast Care. Monetary donations from parishes and individuals enable this very important mission to go forward.
     The specific needs are for skilled labor (framing, wall board installation and finishing, electrical, plumbing, roofing, painting) and helpers willing to learn construction skills. Workers are also needed at Camp Coast Care who support the work crews by doing on-campus jobs such as cook for a week, kitchen and dining room assistants, housekeepers for our volunteer home, and tool shop distribution. The main talents needed are flexibility and a willingness to work. Some advanced training in construction is requested for all volunteers. Team leaders will add to volunteers' skills. Workshops at building supply stores (Home Depot, Lowes, etc.) and participation in Habitat for Humanity type projects are highly recommended as great training for necessary skills for home rebuilding.
     Camp Coast Care has a very descriptive, newly updated, Web site (www.campcoastcare.com) which includes a list of needs and volunteer information as well as pictures and forms.
     If your parish or a group of individuals would like a presentation to encourage people to be involved, please call the diocesan office (410-822-1919) to set up either a Sunday morning or any evening program which will include pictures, stories, an opportunity for questions and a request funds or fundraising activities by your parish.
     It is very important for everyone to realize that you can go to Camp Coast Care as an individual or small group. It is not necessary to go with the Diocese of Easton group if that time is not convenient for you. They are very grateful for help and you can represent the diocese just as well as a large group can.
     This is real, hands-on helping ministry. Funds are desperately needed and go directly to the people in need. There are no administrative fees involved. Donations will be used mainly for building supplies or possibly to assist some volunteers with their travel expenses. So if you can’t go, perhaps you can help send someone in your place. We are the hands of Jesus.

    Thank you for caring from the people of the Gulf Coast.