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January 4, 2018UPDATE: 125 pounds of powdered milk that has arrived in PR, too, sent from CLC-USA members to PR.
This note is to forward Jeanne's info about the powdered milk postage costs, as well as to provide a brief update on the on-going efforts of solidarity with Puerto Rico that CLC-USA's AAA community has been so gratefully engaged in this Advent/Christmas season.First, Jeanne's post for our participation:Opportunity to donate for POSTAGE COSTS for POWDERED MILK. [125 pounds of donated powdered milk (from Bob's Red Mill company) was shipped to the Mayagüez area of PR (as per their request of this item. CLC needed to cover postage costs which was approximately 260 and Jeanne upfronted this from personal credit card to facilitate timely shipment.]Jeanne DeSimone Sieger needs $79 dollars more to cover her credit card. Contributions have been between $10 to $50 so far.One of the contributions is in memory of Joan Haberman, an Omaha community member who passed away recently.If you want to contribute to this MILK ORDER, please let Jeanne know you are sending a contribution. Call or email: [email protected]Jeanne's phone number in Wisconsin is 414-761-0736 and cell: 414-324-9476. Call any time after 10:30 a.m. Central time.
If we have more contributions, any additional funds beyond the postage cost can be put toward the solar lanterns that we hope to be ordering soon for Mayaguez, PR. (See below)Jeanne DeSimone9651 South 31 StreetFranklin, Wisconsin53132-9528Update:In addition to this powdered milk gifting that Jeanne & Beti helped to facilitate, financial contributions of hundreds of dollars from CLC-USA members have been on-going via Caritas PR (the organization CLC-PR suggested through Ann Marie's contacts), and CLC members have also been shipping large "Magi boxes" (we know of at least 12 so far) filled with school supplies, socks, soaps, solar lamps, etc to our CLC members in San Juan as requested for distribution to families most in need. [Please let Carol know if you or your community sent a box so we can report out a final overview summary for the wider CLC body.]We, CLC-USA via the AAA office, are also responding to needs in the less urban, Mayagüez area (western end of PR, a more rural, more mountainous area, where people are more remote, spread out, and have often gotten less attention in the "recovery" process,) thanks to a contact Beti Leone made with faculty of the UPR-M, Dr. Mary Sefranek, who is assisting as a volunteer to support the Brigada Solidaria del Oeste.The many tasks & logistics involved in receiving packages can take time, people power, and "feet on the ground" to get the items to those most in need. We hope CVX-CLC groups in Mayagüez will be able to connect with Dr. Mary & the Brigada for this collaborative effort. We've remained in close communications with CLC president in San Juan for these unfolding collaborative efforts, which we'll share more in detail on the upcoming January 18th AAA teleconference (CLC PR president may be joining us on that call,) along with Ramon Calzada who will share about his recent personal experience in PR helping with water filter installations. [Pat Cleary-Burns, Zoom again this month? As our "Christmas office party"conversation went pretty well in our first trial run of that format! :-) ]Lastly, we're also in the process with ExCo/NCC of hopefully arranging a bulk (discount) order of requested solar lamps to be sent to the rural areas in the west Mayagüez area of Puerto Rico. (Some CLC-USA members have also included solar lamps in their "Magi boxes" sent to both San Juan, as well as the Mayaguez communities.)What a graced, reciprocal journey of companionship we are blessed to be making together in the face of daunting challenges, and wondrous opportunities! How grateful we are to be able to pray with hands and feet, as well as hearts. amdgChristmas & New Year Blessings, making ourselves available for all Epiphany graces by God's grace...CarolCJ Gonzal ez
Office of Apostolic Action & Advocacy, Christian Life Community-USA