Friday, December 29, 2006

2006 was a great year!

In 2006 CREW had over 237 volunteers from 8 different states. The volunteers (counting only those who volunteered after May) put in 5480 volunteer hours at a in-kind donation total of $101,380. We also had numerous goods donated such as brand new tools, used furniture, a truck, building supplies, computers and related equipment and service, christmas gifts, air conditioners, office space, and more! CREW has been a testament of the generosity and good will of people who feel blessed and want to help those who have been sticken by disaster. We have helped over 300 victims of Hurricane Wilma in two counties. We are working on helping over another 300. We are also trying to help victims of Tropical Storm Ernesto and other local disasters.

But we need your help. Much of our donations are earmarked for very specific causes, which is greatly needed and welcomed. However, we have basic operating costs such as telephone bills, insurance, accounting fees, office suppplies, gas and truck maintenance, advertising, and fundraising activities. None of these costs are covered by any of our grants. We need your help!

Help us start the new year off right! We have 12 volunteer groups already lined up in the new year, we have many more people to help, and we need to find a new location! Call us to find out how you can help, or send your donation today!

Saturday, December 23, 2006

Some give at Christmas and all year long!

We have had some real generous donors that have helped our clients this year. Although giving is part of the Christmas spirit, this is something these groups do all year round!

The Lutheran Disaster Response has helped fund jobs for Hurricane Wilma clients and picked up expenses where others donors funds ran short. They have already given $25,000 and have pledged another $10,000.

The Rotary Club has already given $7500 to help hire roofers to fix Hurricane Wilma damged roofs four our residents, and have pledged to help fund roofers to replace five more roofs of residents still trying to recover from Hurricane Wilma.

The City of Clewiston gave us a place to stay for a year for $1.00 rent. They have also provided invaluable advice and assistance. In addition they have donated one of their retired trucks for us to help deliver materials.

PDA,UCC, UMCOR and thier Storm Recovery Center, the Empowerment Alliance, Catholic Chaities, the United Way, Publix, 211, and Neighbors to the Rescue have also helped us and helped local residents recover from disaster.

Friday, December 22, 2006

CREW Making Spirits Bright!

CREW has been busy this month making sure as many people as possible have a good Christmas.

Due to some private individuals who live in Cape Coral, CREW was able to make the wishes come true for 86 children in Hendry and Glades counties. Staff and Board members with kids from the Baptist Church spent the day Thursday before Christmas delivering gifts that had been handpicked for these specific kids.

Volunteers from East Lake United Methodist came and worked on replacing drywall in Moore Haven on December 2. First Presbyterian Church came and hung drywall, cabinets, and doors in Clewiston on December 16.

We have been very blessed and the New Year will see volunteers coming every week beginning January 6 till some time in March, and we are still scheduling. Donors have generously provided for the materials and costs of the repairs we are still making due to Hurricane Wilma. We still have 350 families needing to recover from Hurricane Wilma, and a handful from Tropical Storm Ernesto and from local fires.

Our Unmet Needs committee meets every month and finds local agencies and other donors and volunteers to help meet the unmet needs of these families. So far we have been able to help, or find others to help over 300 families. We are also helping low income residents strengthen their homes against future storms and disasters, through the statewide My Safe Florida program.

We are asking the community to step up and volunteer for CREW, we have had a few local volunteers, but most of our volunteers come from our town or state. We also need donations to help cover the cost of doing business, we often get donors willing to donate supplies or cover the costs incurred by volunteers, but we need donations simply to keep our doors open. Start the New Year off right by seeing what you can do to help!