St. John Comfort Fund

This past few days has left so many of us feeling totally helpless. We wait for news about many of our friends still out of contact. We see images of the places we've lived and loved completely destroyed. We watch and wait and wonder, waiting to hear news and thinking of how we can help.

This fund is to raise money for things overlooked in relief efforts.  As many of you have survived a hurricane know, aid doesn't take into account they type of deoderant you want, the soap you need, what you drink, or the other comforts that can help you feel human.  The rehabilitation is going to take months and years. There are so many needs that we can't begin to fathom. People have lost everything.

I'm waiting to hear directly from people on St. John about specific needs in the weeks to come. Arbitrarily giving stuff isn't going to help. After Marilyn, people were overwhelmed by items they didn't need, and desperately lacking things they did. Simple things like deodorant, soap, comforts that help them feel human.

I'm planning a trip down in mid October after First Responders have had a chance to guarantee everyone's safety. My friend Toby Felix and I are planning to reach out directly to our friends and find out what they really want and need, and fill in the holes. If you would like to join this effort, reach out.

There are other ways to give, I know St. John Rescue is doing monumental work. Capt. Ben is already on the ground representing Kenny and his new charity. The St. John Community Foundation has ways to give.  Our effort is to fill in gaps that often get overlooked when providing the essentials.

Something we are hoping to offer is targeted help delivered by friendly faces with a hug. Telling them "we stand with you, we will always be part of this community, and we will drop everything to come down and pitch a hand when you are in need."