Aid agency expects recovery to take time for hardest-hit families;
volunteers needed in L.A.
FEDERAL WAY, Wash., Oct. 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As more
California wildfire evacuees return home this week, Christian relief agency
World Vision is distributing household basics to area families who have
been hard hit by the fires. Three staff members from Seattle have joined
World Vision's team in Southern California to continue its assessment and
response.
"It will take time for life to return to normal here," said Jo Carcedo,
World Vision's area director for Southern California. "World Vision is
especially concerned about families whose homes have been completely
destroyed, who didn't have insurance, who may have lost their jobs or who
were already struggling financially. We'll continue working closely with
our church partners in affected communities to make sure these families
receive the support they need to get back on their feet."
Corporations including Cardinal Health, Cypress Medical, Wal-Mart,
Starbucks, KIDS and others have so far donated an estimated $2 million
worth of new product to World Vision, which will help people in Southern
California recover in the days and weeks ahead. Items include bottled
water, face masks, bedding and blankets, clothing, personal hygiene
products, diapers and baby food, ground coffee and cleaning supplies.
Local volunteers will begin sorting and packaging donated items today
at World Vision's Storehouse in Los Angeles. World Vision is distributing
the goods through churches and community organizations reaching out to
returning evacuees and other households in need.
Rancho Bernardo Baptist Church in San Diego County is one congregation
that will distribute items from World Vision as a way to care for its
recovering community. "We cannot do this alone. We can use the resources of
World Vision to help supply the needs of our community," said Dan Maxton,
the church's pastor.
"Churches are on the frontlines when disasters strike our country,"
said Romanita Hairston, Vice President for World Vision's U.S. programs.
"World Vision's network of church partners around the country, our
extensive corporate partnerships and decades of experience in international
emergency response allow us to play a unique role in helping victims of
disaster here at home."
Beyond its church partners in the affected area, World Vision is
continuing to coordinate closely with the Red Cross, other voluntary
organizations and the local faith community. The public can help by calling
1.888.56.CHILD or visiting http://www.worldvision.org. Volunteers are still needed
at World Vision's Storehouse in Los Angeles; please call 323.751.4408.
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to
working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach
their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. For
more on World Vision's work in the U.S. or its emergency response work
around the world, visit worldvision.org/press .
SOURCE World Vision
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Related links:
http://www.worldvision.org/
CONTACT:
Rachel Wolff of World Vision,
+1-253-815-2072, or mobile, +1-253-394-2214
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