News from FFCC!

January 25, 2012

Making Headway In Haiti!

FFCC volunteers are on the ground in Haiti and have been hard at work! The first couple days were spent meeting with government officials in Gressier to discuss FFCC's Impact H2O, water filtration project. The goal is to install 20,000 filters, one for every home in Gressier. The team was also able to celebrate the opening of the Shepherd's House orphanage that FFCC volunteers helped build.

The medical team's first day of clinic was also successfully completed! They saw more than 180 patients in the medical clinic and 68 in the vision clinic. New glasses and clear sight were a blessing to those who were seen by our vision team! Our medical team also worked their magic loving and caring for those that were sick and hurting. Some of the cases they treated included: chronic heart failure, malaria, typhoid, cervical cancer, manic depression, a rape victim (who was discovered to be pregnant), and more.

It was heartbreaking and yet there was a joy that came from the hug, the help, and the hope that the team was able to bring to the people. Dr. Eunice got to follow up with a little girl whose eye sight she saved last year. Venia is beautiful and doing very well! What a tangible reminder of the amazing miracles FFCC volunteers are able to be a part of!

The team expected to see another 190 patients in the medical clinic and 75 patients in the vision clinic during their second day at work. The clinic will run through Friday.

Phil also spent time meeting with several influential parties as they try to put together a plan for moving the 30K+ people from the tent city of Aviation. Their destination and how this will be accomplished is yet to be determined, but Phil is encouraged with the ideas being shared and the fact this group is working to come up with a solution.

Thank you for keeping the team and all those they interact with

in your thoughts and prayers!

Teens For Jeans Campaign

FFCC's Del Norte High School campus club is hosting a jeans drive for homeless teens. The Teens For Jeans campaign just kicked off and people are urged to support the effort by donating gently used jeans. Club President, Katarina Stapleford says, "One of every three homeless people are teens; In San Diego alone, that represents over 3,000 young adults living on the streets. And the item they request the most is a clean pair of jeans."

All sizes and styles will be accepted. Donations can be dropped off at various locations around North County including Del Norte High School and Dream Dinners in Poway, or you can email the KIN Club at DNHSKINclub@gmail.com and arrangements can be made for pick-up.

Local businesses are also urged to get involved and set up collection bins for their employees to participate. If you or your company want to participate, email Katarina at the above address. Bactes Imaging Solutions in San Diego and Cymer in Rancho Bernardo have both agreed to be community partners helping collect jeans from their employees and KIN Club hopes more companies and groups will join the effort.

We encourage EVERYONE to help support this worthwhile cause. It's EASY to do and costs participants nothing! Just the time to clean out and empty their closets of any unwanted or unneeded "gently used" jeans.

Click here to read more.

Local Neighbor Needs

FFCC often receives requests to help out families in the community who need an extra helping hand. Currently, several families are in need of some basic furniture. If you can help by donating any of the below listed items and/or transporting furniture from one home to another, please contact Becky Palenske at bpalenske@san.rr.com.

Twin beds and/or mattresses (gently used ok) ~4 needed
Small size dining set in good condition with chairs for at least 4 people (2 sets needed)
Working vacuum cleaner with bags (or bagless unit)
Nearly new bath towels (any color)
Gently used double stroller
Shelving unit/bookshelf
Sofa in good shape (not longer than 80") or 2 love seats

Join Us At The Salvation Army on February 6th!

The first Monday of each month marks FFCC's opportunity to serve our homeless neighbors downtown. Join us from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at 825 Seventh Ave, SD 92101.

There is parking behind the Salvation Army building off of 8th Street. We encourage our volunteers to bring some of the following when they come down. There is always a great need!

Hygiene kits: Ziploc bags with items such as socks, water bottle, tooth brush, tooth paste, granola bar, disposable razor, etc.
Clothing: sweatshirts, jackets, underwear, sun hats (Note: larger size men's clothing are always appreciated, e.g., size 40+)
Blankets
Case of water bottles
Sunscreen, umbrellas
An item that you have enjoyed that you can share with a homeless friend (e.g., a book you've recently read, your favorite card game)

Homeless Outreach Kitchen Crew Oct 2011