Do you Want to Help?

I've had a few out of town friends ask me how they can help with the Hurricane Sandy Relief. I've been meaning to post for awhile on this, but I was reminded tonight when I met a sweet lady who lives in Coney Island and told me her story.  It is so easy even in Manhattan to lose sight of all the destruction that is so close to me.  It is easy to get caught up in other things and "forget" that many many people are going through great loss due to this storm.  As I walked and talked with this lady I was reminded how long this recovery is going to take.  In a sense she gave me more hope that I probably shared with her as she went on and on about how the Lord has provided.  It was amazing to hear her heart of thanksgiving in a sentence where she tells me that she has no grocery store to shop at b/c every single store has been destroyed.  It was incredibly challenging for me to hear that her greatest concern was not all that she has lost, but that a place where she volunteers where Spanish kids come to get tutored was completely flooded and wouldn't be able to reopen for at least 6 months.  She expressed her worry that these kids do not have parents who speak English and who would help them with their homework.  Even in her loss she was putting others before herself. I walked away from this conversation completely blessed and reminded that I need to continue to be praying and helping!

If you live in NYC you have probably been flooded with opportunities to help.  They are all around us.  But if you live outside of the city I would love to invite you to help.  Hope for New York is the mercy and justice arm of our church.  They do amazing work with many organizations in the city who are serving the poor and marganilized.  They fund these organizations and they connect volunteers to them.  I have partnered with HFNY as a staff member of Redeemer and as a volunteer and have been richly blessed through this organization.  All that to say they are on the ball getting help to those who have been affected by Sandy.  They set up a fund that will go directly to these affiliates working with the people.  I can 100% promise you that if you give, your money will go to those who are in need.  And belive me there are MANY people who need our help. I know we all probably give to many things, but I would encourage you to go to HFNY's Page  and prayerfully consider giving towards the Sandy relief efforts.  It is a way for you to be a part of the great restoration that is taking place in our area.  It is a way for you to greatly help those who lost so much just 2 weeks ago.

Thank you for considering this request...... 

If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me at bethanygriffith@gmail.com