Click here for information on use of the Lend A Hand van.

September 18 – 26 NEW FINAL DATES Oakville, Iowa. Cost $150. See SCHEDULE for details.

October 23 – 30 Pierre Payen, Haiti. Cost $1000. See SCHEDULE for details.

November 6 – 14 Oakville, Iowa. Cost $150. See SCHEDULE for details.

January 8 – 16, 2011 Immokalee, FL. Cost $250. See SCHEDULE for details.

more info…

• Tyvek suits, latex gloves, barn boots, Masks for hazardous materials removal OR $500


• Hats and T-shirts for volunteers or $1,500


• "HOW TO" CD's on dry wall hanging and finishing, roofing, framing, residential electrical and/or plumbing, and home insulation OR $20 per video.

Lend A Hand was founded in 1989 following Hurricane Hugo in South Carolina, and has since achieved national respect and recognition.

Lend A Hand coordinates reliable transportation, labor, housing and meals for volunteers who want to help those who have lost homes or are suffering extraordinary hardship as the result of a disaster.

Often one of the most valuable things Lend A Hand volunteers can do is to listen. Victims of disaster need to tell their stories of loss, hardship and recovery to a sympathetic listener.

The new friends you make with other volunteers and with those you’re serving are just one of the many benefits of participating on a Lend A Hand work team.

Many (but not all) jobs require physical labor. Most volunteers eagerly jump in and take on any job which needs to be done, from demolition and rebuilding to general disaster clean-up.

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE
Nashville TV affliliates weigh in on the disastrous local flooding and spotlight those who are helping with flood relief and repair initiatives. Lend A Hand's efforts are featured in the reports, as well as photos, videos and interviews with volunteers and homeowners. Check out the reports on WKRN2 and WSMV4.

HAITI UPDATE
An alliance of Christian denominations (Assembly of God in Jesus Christ-Haitian, Baptist, Christian Outreach, Churches of God, Episcopal, Lutheran, Methodist, and Presbyterian) has been created to sponsor relief and recovery efforts in Haiti. 

Click here for the trip application and the schedule of medical, housing, community development and agricultural efforts to be pursued.

OFFICE HOURS
Because Lend A Hand is entirely staffed by volunteers, a person is not always present at the office. Ususally, either Bill or George are in the office from 9 to 10:30 daily and that is the best time to reach a 'live' person. Messages left on the answering system are usually returned within 24 hours. We also attempt to respond to all emails immediately and will send trip receipts and other materials within 24 hours of receipt at the officeof applications and checks. The office is open from 9 to 4 daily, Monday thru Friday and things may be picked up or dropped off by talking to Suzi, the presbytery's Administrative Assistant.

POLICY ON TRIP COSTS
1. For volunteers taking the bus, the cost will continue to be $250 per person.

2. a. For individuals or groups that elect to use their own vehicles or vans but wish to travel on the same dates as the bus and/or to ‘caravan’ with the bus, the cost is $150 per person for the cost of motels used at mid-points in the trip and for fees charged by the ‘tent city’ for utilities and meals.

2. b. For individuals or groups wishing to travel on dates other than the dates of the bus trip, we will provide you with the names and phone contacts at the motel and the ‘tent city’ but you will need to negotiate group rate discounts on your own at both the motel and the ‘tent city’. You can mention the LAH rates and ask for similar considerations.

3. For those volunteers traveling by personal vehicle or flying commercially to the disaster site but staying with us at the ‘tent city’, the cost is $75 per person for food and utilities at the tent city.

4. When the LAH van is used, the general cost will be set at $150 or a price which reflects a 'break even' cost for fuel, lodging and food. If additional vans are leased, the cost adjustment will reflect this expense and be set at a 'break even' cost.

VAN AVAILBLE FOR CONGREGATION USE
Lend A Hand has purchased a used, 15 passenger van. For our trips, the van will accommodate 8-9 passengers and their luggage and tools. When the van is not being used by Lend A Hand, it will be made available to any congregation's Session or Administrative Council-approved field trip or youth program at a recommended fee of $30 per day plus a full tank of gas.

“I didn’t know if I’d be useful, but there’s a job for everyone.”
Leanne, 1st-time Lend A Hand volunteer

“There are people in trouble and I can help”
Robert, 8-time Lend A Hand volunteer

“The week I spent working as a Lend A Hand volunteer made a hugh difference in peoples’ lives… especially mine.”
Lisa, 3-time Lend A Hand volunteer