Not long after the major destruction of Hurricane Harvey ensued on the Texas Gulf Coast, Methodist Children’s Home rose to action to help in the wake
of loss and recovery.
Through a donation made to Methodist Children’s Home, student leaders from Bulldog Pride, a group of staff-selected MCH students, assembled 100 hygiene kits for those affected by the hurricane. The kits were handed off to First United Methodist Church of Waco to be gathered with other donations and distributed by United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) among those impacted across Texas.
UMCOR is a ministry of the United Methodist Church through the General Board of Global Ministries. According to the UMCOR website, as a nonprofit organization, they work to alleviate human suffering and advance hope and healing around the world.
The hygiene kits included nail clippers, bandages, a face towel, a washcloth, soap, a toothbrush and $1 for toothpaste.
With the help of several other faculty personnel, Amy Grisham, director of school support for the charter school on the Waco campus, purchased all of the necessary items for 100 hygiene kits with the MCH donation.
After Grisham shared about the need, what UMCOR is and the opportunity, the youth assembled, packaged and boxed all 100 kits in a short time.
MCH was just one of many organizations in the greater-Waco area to join in on UMCOR’s cause to help those affected by Hurricane Harvey.
According to Victoria Trappe, administrative assistant of membership and discipleship at FUMC Waco, her church has worked with UMCOR to deliver hygiene kits and other resources to those in need since Labor Day.
When the direct intensity of Harvey dissipated, MCH President and CEO Tim Brown said, “The magnitude of the recovery work is just beginning. We now have the awesome task and opportunity to stand in the gap with our children and families, offering hope to those who are most at risk of losing it.”
UMCOR Director of Disaster Response and Partner Relations, Catherine Earl, stated, “UMCOR understands that this is a long term event and that we will be there alongside of the conferences, people of the UMC church and our external partners through the recovery process.”
Traci Wagner, program administrator for the Eastern region of MCH Family Outreach, shared at a conference for MCH case managers that she is proud of how MCH worked together to respond to different communities in need after Harvey.
During Hurricane Harvey, Wagner witnessed all areas of MCH working together to help in any way possible. From the IT department, to the executives, other outreach offices, and MCH students, everyone had a role in the work, she said.
“I am honored to lead MCH and serve alongside staff and volunteers who day after day care for children, youth and families in whatever storms life has thrown at them,” Brown said. “We have done this since 1890 and will continue to do so.”
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