A response of love and compassion

September 11th is a day that will live in the memory of people the world over. For the first time since its founding, the United States suffered a man-made disaster. However, out of the ashes of that disaster, has come a response of love and compassion in the thousands of volunteers who have come to help, the thousands of dollars donated for the effort, and the thousands of hours that will be spent in helping one another. IRFF is no exception to this.

Because the disaster hit in IRFF's backyard, so to speak, we were compelled to act as quickly as possible to respond to this horrific devastation. By the second day, Dr. Kathy Winings, IRFF's Vice President of the International Board, went to Ground Zero to offer counseling, prayer and support. During one of those sessions, Dr. Winings was able to connect with other partner agencies who offer aid in disasters - the Salvation Army. It was decided that IRFF would assume responsibility for finding volunteers to prepare food for the thousands of rescue workers who had assembled at Ground Zero to look for survivors.

From Saturday, September 15th, IRFF began to make sandwiches which were transported directly to the disaster site. For 3 days, IRFF supported this effort - much to the gratitude and appreciation of the Salvation Army post in New York City. IRFF brought together teens, adults, and families to support this program. Included in the first day of work was Massimo Trombin, Field Director for IRFF and John Gehring, the executive director of IRFF. Word quickly spread among the teens that there was a way to help in this disaster. Soon, IRFF's phone was busy with offers of help.

Since that time, IRFF has now begun a new phase of its response for the disaster. We are working in collaboration with Christian Disaster Response, a fellow NVOAD partner based in Florida, to provide Needs Assessment for Unmet Needs. Families, victims, and anyone affected by the WTC tragedy will be able to come to our facility to fill out forms and discuss their needs. They will then be directed to immediate help and services to meet those needs. They will also be able to simply talk about the experience and receive counseling from the staff as well.

In addition, IRFF has also launched "Letters of Hope", a letter writing campaign for children and youth. Schools are being approached by IRFF to ask their children to send letters of encouragement, hope and gratitude to the rescue workers, firemen, policement, and victims of the tragedy. They will be dropped off at Boxes of Hope in their school. IRFF will then pick up these boxes and deliver the childrens' letters of hope and encouragement.

Finally, IRFF is working in cooperation with the American Family Coalition and American Clergy Leadership Conference on the One Church/One Family project. Churches and communities that wish to "adopt" a family for spiritual support may do so. They will receive a family or individual. It is hoped that these churches will then continue to offer spiritual support, prayer, and possibly even material support resources permitting for their family. Already we have several cities and churches calling us to be given a family.

This effort will be a long term plan for IRFF and Christian Disaster Response. We will be dealing with thousands and thousands of families conceivably. Regardless of how long this program takes, IRFF is committed to doing what it can to provide hope, healing, recovery, and peace to any and all who need it. We pray that, in time, there will be no more man-made disasters of this magnatude and that we can once again live as a global family.

For further information or if you wish to donate, please contact Dr. Winings at IRFF at IRFFint@aol.com

Thank you.

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