wfn.org | ABCUSA: 'Gift of the Heart' School Kits Requested

["SCHRAMM, Richard" <Rich.Schramm@abc-usa.org>]

American Baptist News Service (Valley Forge, Pa. 1/7/05)--Needs stemming
from the tsunami tragedy in Southeast Asia are prompting Church World
Service to seek partner denominations' help in replenishing its supply
of "Gift of the Heart" School Kits. The kits are needed for
rehabilitation efforts and will be used first in temporary schools that
are likely to be housed in tents and later in permanent structures. (CWS
had made a similar appeal earlier this week to counter shortages of its
Health Kits.)

American Baptists are being urged to respond.  A School Kit includes:
one pair of blunt scissors, pads or notebooks of ruled paper 8-1/2" X
11" containing 150-200 sheets of paper, one 30-centimeter ruler (12"),
one pencil sharpener, six new pencils with erasers, one large eraser,
twelve sheets of colored construction paper, one box of 24 crayons, one
12" X 14" cloth bag with cloth handles and a closure (Velcro, snap, or
button).

Pack these items in the cloth bag and secure contents with the closure.
Another option is a donation of $11 per kit, which will allow Church
World Service to buy school supplies for use in classroom settings.

Complete kits should be packed in boxes. Clearly mark the outside of the
box with the contents.	Include the name and address of the church,
group or individual sending the kits at the top before sealing the box.
Do not include money in the box. Secure the boxes with packing tape.

Ship all kits prepaid to: Church World Service, Brethren Service Center
Annex, 601 Main St., P.O. Box 188, New Windsor, MD 21776-0188.	Please
add $1 per School Kit for processing/shipping. Additional support can
help Church World Service make these resources go further.  Checks,
earmarked "Processing/Shipping," should be mailed to: Church World
Service, 28606 Phillips St., P.O. Box 968, Elkhart, IN 46515 (phone
1-800-297-1516).

"Each day brings us closer to understanding the short-term and long-term
needs of the survivors of the tsunami," said American Baptist Churches
USA World Relief Officer Lisa Rothenberger.  "Earlier this week Church
World Service issued an appeal for health kits and they are still
needed.  At the same time, assessment done to date has concluded that
education will be a primary focus of Church World Service in South Asia.
The rebuilding of schools, complemented by the distribution of these
'Gift of the Heart' school kits, will enable survivors to begin to
educate the children once again.  The ministry of providing school kits
is a wonderful way to get people of all ages in your church involved in
hands-on relief.  Children especially enjoy gathering and packing up
supplies just like the ones that they use each day."

K/2005ABNS/04ABN5

American Baptist News Service: Office of Communication, American Baptist
Churches USA, P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851; (800)ABC-3USA
x2077 / (610)768-2077; fax: (610)768-2320; www.abc-usa.org;
richard.schramm@abc-usa.org