As the Hurricane season just rages on, our relief operation has used up most of our resources!  We want to thank everyone who helped out!  All of the many churches who gave and are still giving through adopting a family!  The communities in Colorado that have opened up to evacuees have been so helpful.  We want you all to know how blessed we've been by you.

If this is your first visit to our site, we want to know that there are still ways to get involved and help out!  Feel free to contact us to make a monotary donation to the evacuee families, or if you are interested in getting more involved in Mercy ministries and Relief work here are some helpful sites to visit!

Good afternoon,

It's been a while since I've updated--sorry, it's been just a little bit crazy!  The garage sale went well, we raised over $2500.00 for hurricane relief effort.  We still have a ton of clothes left so we will be having another sale on Sat. from 7-4.  We will provide grocery bags and clothing will be sold for $3.00 a bag full.  Tell your friends and neighbors, there are still wonderful bargains to be had!

We just received word that there are approx. 50 people on a bus that is heading to Pueblo.  The Katrina Store is in desperate need of personal care items, cleaning supplies and groceries.  Please take your donation to the Ag Pavilion at the Fair Grounds between 9-5 tues-Sat.  PLEASE DO NOT DROP OFF ANY CLOTHES--We are overflowing with clothing.  We are looking to move possibly this weekend so if you can wait with any other donations please watch this post for a new address to drop off items.  Also, if no one is at the store to receive your items please do not drop them off at the gates, there is no security at the Ag Pavillion and we cannot guarantee that items dropped off will not be stolen.

We can use any and all volunteers.  Just show up at the Fair Grounds and we will put you to work.  We have a lot of sorting to be done from the sale last weekend, we need to get ready for the next sale, prepare to move and handle the everyday items that come up.  We really need more than 3-4 people down there to make sure that the Katrina Store runs smoothly and it's efficient for the evacuees to shop at.  We are seeing a large increase in families that are "shopping"--it's a blessing to be able to help them out.  Thank you for your generosity, YOU made the store possible.

Thanks for checking in--gotta run--work calls! 

Julie

Good Morning,

It's time for a monster of a Garage Sale.  We are clearing out our clothing and shoe inventory on Sat. with a huge sale open to the public.  Please join us at the fair grounds for this blowout event.  All adult clothing will be $1.00, kids clothing .50 and shoes for a $1.00.  Breakfast burritos and a hotdog lunch will also be available for purchase.  Some of you are asking why we are doing this, there are a couple of reasons.  First, the building at the fair grounds is open to the elements and this is not conducive for keeping clothing clean and dry long term.  The other reason is we just plain have too much stuff!  By doing the garage sale and earmarking the money for future hurricane relief we are benefiting the community by offering clothing at low prices but also keeping with the spirit in which the donation was given--which is hurricane relief.  Clothing is available from Good Will for those displaced by the hurricane.  At this point Good Will is offering 5 outfits per person at no charge for any evacuees.  Please tell your friends, neighbors and family about the sale, there are many wonderful bargains to be had.

On the donation front, PLEASE HOLD ALL DONATIONS OTHER THAN GROCERIES AND PERSONAL CARE ITEMS until after we are moved.  This should happen early next week if we can secure a building.  We will continue to operate the store by partnering with several churches to ensure that the needs of those who have relocated are met.  Additional furniture, appliances, housewares etc will be needed but we would like to get moved and settled before we accept any more items.  THANK YOU for your continued generosity.  I'm not sure if there is another city across America who has pulled together to form such a well stocked "super store" without a cash register.  You have been a blessing to each and everyone of the evacuees who have walked through the door of the store. 

I had better get to work, the sorting must be finished, the organizing must go on and most importantly the families must be able to shop!  Just a side note, if you know of any individuals who have relocated to Pueblo please direct them to the store.  If they have not registered with Posada please call 545-8776, this will ensure that those who are our newest Pueblo residents have gone through all the proper channels to receive the aid and assistance they need.  Thanks for checking in.

Julie

ARE YOU READY FOR A GARAGE SALE?  Mark your calendars for Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. for a blow out on clothing.  We have received an abundance of clothing, more than we can possibly use, so we have decided to have a garage sale in which all the proceeds will go to Posada earmarked for future Hurricane Relief. All adult clothing will be sold for $1.00 a piece, children's clothing for  .50 and all shoes are $1.00 a pair.  Breakfast burritos and a hot dog lunch will also be available for purchase.  Plan on coming out and doing some bargain shopping!  There are lots of good deals to be found. SPREAD THE WORD!  The sale will be held at the Katrina store, we are located at the Ag Pavillion on the State Fair Grounds.

We are looking for a new location to move the store to in the very near future.  We will continue to operate the store for the next 2-3 months.  If you know of any building please contact me at 564-5367.  We need to get moving on this with the change of weather.

As far as the relocation effort we continue to see families come into the Pueblo area, however as of late last week it had significantly slowed down.  That may change this week with the approach of Hurricane Rita.  I will keep you posted as to our needs.  Please contact Posada with any housing opportunities that you have.

If you are looking for something to do come on down to the store.  We need lots of volunteers this week to get the final items sorted for the garage sale.  We also are in the process of matching sheet sets/blankets/comforter/pillows into sets so they are ready to go when needed.  All of this takes time and hands, we would love to see you!

Thank you for all that you have done, we appreciate the generosity of your donations, the willingness to help and ask that you continue to keep those who are relocated and in the process of relocating in your prayers.

Julie

Good morning,

I just wanted to jot a quick note before the day takes off.  Saturday was a busy day at the Katrina Store.  It was a huge blessing to be able to see families "shop" for what they needed to set up their households--and find EVERYTHING!  Praise God!  The people of Pueblo have been so generous.  I cannot tell you how many people have walked through the door of the Katrina store and stood with tears in their eye's.  It's been worth all the effort to see the smiles of children as they pick out new games and stuffed animals. To see the relief on Mom's face when she see's the dishes, pots and pans, crockpots and groceries.  Dad's who are just relieved to see their families being taken care of.  The teen's excitement of a nice TV and a "cool" set of bunk beds.  THANK YOU PUEBLO.

Today is sort out day at the store.  If anyone can help us our I would really like to nail the "to be sorted" section.  This is a huge goal since most of the items need to be sorted and laundered and then put out in the proper places.  I also need volunteers on an ongoing basis.  If you are able to spend some time down there please let me know at fwcrelief@yahoo.com

Some needs that we currently have are bedding--if you could put your freshly laundered sheet sets taped together with a size noted on them that would be awesome.  It saved a lot of time trying to find the right size.  We have really been going through the bedding items.  Sat. alone we outfitted over a dozen beds from sheets to comforters.  Another thing that we could use are trash cans, laundry baskets and hampers.  These work great to pack items into and also serve a useful purpose when unpacked.  We also are in desperate need of washer/dryer sets.  We have a few dryers right now but almost all of the households need sets.  If you need your items picked up please email me.  Please remember that we are not taking any more clothing.  I appreciate your understanding in this matter.  If you have any questions why please stop in and see the enormous amount already there and the huge task that we have today in sorting it.  Goodwill and Arc are also assisting Hurricane survivors so may want to drop off your clothing there.

In closing today I just want to ask for your prayers that the word gets out that the store is for ALL Katrina relocatees, not just those placed by specific agencies.  Our mission is to provide for the needs of those displaced by Katrina free of cost.  Also please pray for sensitivity and direction as the evacuees come into the store.  I cannot image what they have been through and lost and it is overwhelming to start over again.  It's our job to assist them as best as we can without overwhelming them even further.  Thank you again for your generosity and for checking in.  It has truly been a blessing to be part of this project.

Julie