Let’s Talk About: Fire Season

CONFERENCE SERVICE DAYS

September 18, 2022-Just Peace Sunday

October 2, 2022- Neighbors in Need

November 13, 2022- Stewardship Sunday

There is no longer one season for fires; as the climate changes, fires occur throughout the year. Because of the first statement, Disaster Preparedness is as needed as the breath we take throughout the day. Life is unpredictable, and so is living in the Northern California Nevada Conference with earthquakes, fires, and heat waves. Fires have normalized in California; when they tear through your home, all your beloved memories, pictures, and important documents can be gone in a flash.

Your Conference Disaster Team (CDT) is currently working on updating our Conference Disaster Preparedness plan, which will include a list of NCNC congregations where clean up buckets, hygiene, school, or backpack kits are available for immediate needs during disasters. We have also purchased gas and Target gift cards to assist victims needing gas and food. As CDT members complete the Conference Disaster Preparedness plan, we encourage you, our siblings in Christ, to prepare your Congregation Disaster Preparedness Church Manual during the upcoming Service Days.

Sometimes it is easy to be passive about something you and your loved ones have not experienced. When fire victims must flee their living spaces with as much as they can carry in their arms, many do not think of a warm blanket, comb, brush, toothpaste, toothbrush, towels, snacks, and essential paperwork. Those were my thoughts once upon a time until I arrived home from work to fire trucks, flames, and black smoke rising swiftly. The Red Cross later arrived at our home to check in to see how we were doing. The wonderful lady gave us hygiene kits, and I was like, wow, I guess we can’t use our toothbrushes, towels, and even our CPAP machines. And oh, how happy our fur babies were to receive doggie treats. I learned that all the smoke and fumes made it impossible for the dogs to eat what we had on hand. I share this testimony encouraging you to consider making these applicable kits to prepare for a disaster.

The Conference Disaster Team seeks your support for our Conference Service Days over the next three months, beginning in September. The preparedness kits made will be of help and support to disaster survivors. We ask congregations to assemble and store blankets, hygiene, school, or backpack kits. The Conference is offering a matching grant of up to $250.00 to congregations that want to help but do not have the financial resources to do so. Thank you all in advance for your preparation and gifts.

Hygiene Kits $15.00 to $25.00 each

• One hand towel measuring approximately 15″ x 28″ to 16″ x 32″ (no fingertip, bath, dish towel, or micro-fiber)
• One washcloth
• One wide-tooth comb removed from packaging
  • Must be sturdy with at least 6 inches of teeth
  • No pocket combs or picks
  • Rattail and combs without handles are acceptable
• One fingernail or toenail clipper in the package (either one is acceptable)
• One bath-size bar of soap in the original package
• One toothbrush in the original package
• Ten standard size Band-Aids

School Kits $15.00-$25.00 each

• One pair of blunt scissors removed from packaging (rounded tip, only)
• Three 70-count bound notebooks or notebooks totaling 200-210 pages (no loose-leaf or filler paper)
• One 30-centimeter / 12” ruler
• One hand-held pencil sharpener removed from packaging
• One large eraser (no pencil cap erasers)
• Six new, unsharpened pencils with erasers (removed from packaging and use a rubber band to hold the pencils together).
• One box of 24 crayons (only 24)
• One 12” x 14” to 14” x 17” finished size cotton or lightweight canvas bag with handles (solid color or kid-friendly fabric, no logos, reusable shopping bags or backpacks)

Backpacks Kits- $75.00-$100.00 each

• Backpack – 17″
• All-season blanket – 50″ x 60″
• Coloring book
• Crayons – 24 pack
• 2 pads of paper – 8.5″ x 11″
• 3 pens
• 1 two-pocket folder
• 5 fruit leather strips
• 4 protein bars
• 10 granola bars
• 6 fruit & grain bars
• 4 trail mix pouches – 1.75 oz
• 1 reusable travel water bottle – 24 oz
• 2 bottles hand sanitizer – 2 oz
• 1 Chapstick
• 10 hair ties
• 1 small travel hairbrush
• 4 toothpaste/toothbrush packs
• 3 packs of tissues
• 10 disposable masks
• 1 travel deodorant
• 10 tampons
• 10 sanitary napkins
• 1 package of cleaning/baby wipes