Date: May 14th, 2008 2:51:39 p.m.

Dear Friends of Charity In Action:

We are very proud of all that Charity In Action has accomplished since it was founded in response to Hurricane Katrina.

Right now, however, we are facing a big challenge. We no longer have the manpower to keep up our operations, so unless new leadership steps forward we will need to close down in June.

Early in 2007, we were able to support a Bryn Athyn College service trip to Pearlington, MS to spend a week rebuilding hurricane damage. We also sent $5,000 to West Hancock Fire Rescue in Pearlington in the spring. Hurricane Katrina wiped out the fire station and much of the equipment of this all-volunteer company. It also destroyed the tax base that had supported them, leaving them with no income to cover operating costs for several years. With our summer matching fundraiser we raised another $9,800 that we sent to them in the fall. We finished the year with a $5,000 donation to the Helping Hands fund at the Hope Haven Children’s Shelter in Bay St. Louis, MS. This fund is designed to give assistance to the neediest hurricane victims in the community. It was nearly depleted and our donation came just in time to help pay electric bills and keep the lights and heat on for some struggling families, to provide temporary housing for a family living in a tent, and much more.


So far in 2008, we have supported another very successful service trip to Pearlington by Bryn Athyn College. With a new leadership team in place, we could continue to accomplish great things. The organizational structure and financial base are here, crying out for new volunteers to carry the work forward!

Our staff is unpaid, but our work is immensely rewarding. We need someone with the vision, skill and enthusiasm to direct our operations, as well as support in many areas. If you are interested in becoming part of a revitalized team, please contact us immediately to discuss the possibilities. Send us an email at volunteers@charityinaction.org with your contact information and tell us how you might be able to help.

We will follow up with an announcement of the final decision within three weeks.

Thank you so much to the hundreds of volunteers and donors who have helped Charity In Action help others!

Eva S. Lexie
Assistant Director,
Charity In Action