Disaster strikes. How do we respond?
Three years ago, when the tornado ravaged Parkersburg, people of our community rolled up their sleeves to help. On May 22, our neighbors in Joplin, Missouri, were hit by a mile-wide tornado that took the lives of 138 people. Hundreds of people whose lives were spared are now homeless and without the basic necessities of life.
How does our community help our neighbors in Missouri?
How do we let them know their lives matter?
The Lighthouse Center of Hope in Iowa Falls, Iowa, learned that one of the buildings left standing in Joplin is the Life Choices Medical Clinic. This is a caring pregnancy center very similar to The Lighthouse. Because Life Choices was spared damage, they want to do the most they can to help those who lost every earthly belonging. Life Choices is working as a central location for families that need clothing, blankets, diapers, and daily personal items.
The Lighthouse saw this as an opportunity to help those in need. In order to determine what is most needed, a Lighthouse board member visited Life Choices in Joplin. She learned there has been an outpouring of toiletry items, diapers and so on. However, the need for clothing and daily-use items continues to grow. How could we be of the most help? By providing gift cards for use at Target, Wal-Mart, Dollar General, Caseys, and J.C. Penney.
The Lighthouse knows that reaching out to the larger community is being a good neighbor. It is part of our ministry to people in need. Will you join The Lighthouse in offering support to the people of Joplin?
The Lighthouse is sponsoring a FUNDRAISER OF GIFT CARDS with a deadline of June 20. All gift cards received at that time will be sent to Life Choices Medical Clinic in Joplin so that they might, in the best way possible, help provide for families in need.
The Lighthouse invites you to please:
- Purchase a gift card at any of the stores listed above.
- If you like, tuck the gift card in an envelope along with a written prayer of encouragement.
- Drop it off at The Lighthouse on Monday between 3-8 or Thursday between 10-8, or mail it to The Lighthouse, 409 Washington Avenue, Iowa Falls, Iowa.
The board and volunteers of The Lighthouse have already pledged to contribute gift cards. They offer you the opportunity to join them and multiply our community’s outreach.
Won’t you please consider making a difference for our neighbors in Joplin? Your gift card – of any amount – will provide relief and encouragement for those who have experienced tragedy. To some family, it may be a ray of hope.
At The Lighthouse, we believe there is always hope.
Linda Bartlett, former president of Lutherans For Life, is the co-founder of the Lighthouse Center of Hope, a caring pregnancy center in her home town of Iowa Falls, Iowa, and serves as president.