Hurricane Michael Outreach Project

Dear Families,

Last week’s historic Hurricane Michael was one of the strongest storms to ever hit the Florida panhandle and Big Bend area. Most of us personally know someone who has suffered great losses as a result of the storm and the need to help our friends and neighbors is strong. There are many ways to show our support. At Holy Comforter Episcopal School, we would like to offer outreach in three ways at this time.

Project 1: Hygiene Kits

The first is for immediate relief. At Friday’s Fall Festival, if you are able, please consider donating items from the following list. The children will be putting together “hygiene kits” to distribute next week. There will be a donation box at the check-in table.

Hygiene Kit Materials*
  • Hand towels (15 x 25 –17 x 27 inches) – Please no kitchen, cleaning, or microfiber towels 
  • Washcloths
  • Combs - Must be sturdy with at least 6 inches of teeth, but no pocket combs or picks
  • Toenail or fingernail clippers - Please no emery boards or metal nail files 
  • Bath-size soaps (3 oz. bar or larger) - Please no Ivory or Jergen's soap
  • Adult toothbrushes - single size, in original package
  • Adhesive bandages (¾ by 3 inches) - Common household bandages acceptable 
*All items must be new. Please do not remove from packaging. Please do not wash any of the items as they will no longer be considered new. Contents of kits or the containers of kits should not be imprinted with cartoon characters, advertisements, religious, patriotic, military or camouflage symbols

Project 2: Non-Perishable Foods

The second way to help is to bring non-perishable food cans to Fall Festival to restock the Holy Comforter Episcopal Church food pantry. Mother Beth stated, “The Food Pantry is completely bare and we are not able to schedule a truck from Second Harvest because they have been depleted due to Hurricane Michael relief efforts.” If you have leftover items in your pantry that you purchased prior to the storm that you no longer need, your donation to the Food Pantry would be greatly appreciated. There will be a donation box at the check-in table during Fall Festival.

Project 3: Donations

Finally, again if you are able, consider making a donation to Episcopal Relief and Development’s Hurricane Relief Fund. This agency seeks to fund long-term relief and recovery efforts from disasters such as Hurricane Michael. You may click on the link to make a donation or bring monetary donations to the Fall Festival. If writing a check, please make it out to Holy Comforter Episcopal School and write “hurricane relief fund” on the memo line. Once all money is received we will write one check from the school to Episcopal Relief and Development. Donations will support institutions such as our sister school, Holy Nativity Episcopal School, in Panama City, who suffered extreme roof damage to their facility.  Holy Nativity’s Head of School, Judy Hughes, co-chaired our own reaccreditation last February. Judy is active in Florida’s independent school organization FCIS, and is a good friend to our school. More information will follow regarding how our community can assist Holy Nativity once they determine their needs in the weeks ahead.

Once again, we are so blessed here on our Holy Comforter campus. Our thoughts and prayers remain with those who have been affected by this storm. “Compassionate God… Draw near to us in this time of sorrow and anguish, comfort those who mourn, strengthen those who are weary, encourage those in despair, and lead us all to fullness of life; through the same Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.”

Sincerely,

Peter Klekamp
Head of School

* Artwork by Grace Reichelderfer, 8th Grade
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