Good Shepherd Answering Urgent Need in Phillippines

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church is answering an urgent need for donations to the people of the Phillippines who have devastated by a horrific typhoon. 

The International Red Cross estimates that more than 10,000 have been killed and countless others are homeless and in need of shelter. 

The Good Shepherd Community has decided to help and needs the community's assistance immediately. 

Donors can bring items to the church office from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. this week and next: Monday – Thursday and from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. on Friday. The donations must be made before next Thursday, Nov. 21. The church is on Central Park Road, just south of the Plainview-Old Bethpage Middle School.

The Rev. Eric Olsen, pastor of Good Shepherd, sent this urgent email to his congregation and community friends.

"Recently, I had the privilege of marrying Helen Kwong and Robert LaBarbera and welcoming them into our Church family. Many of Helen's family members and friends  flew in from the Philippines for this joyous occasion and wore colorful, traditional Filipino dress. Who would have imagined that shortly thereafter, such a devastating typhoon, the worst in world history, would visit the people of the Philippines!

"Helen is working passionately with the Filipino community both here in the U.S. and in the Philippines to coordinate relief efforts. If you are willing to help out, here is the list of items that the people of the Philippines desperately need:

• old blankets
• old sheets
• sleeping bags
• old tents that you can spare and donate

• canned meat/fish (non refrigerated)
• canned goods
• canned soup
• flashlights
• batteries
• medicines like antibiotics, ointment, and bandages

"The ABS-CBN FOUNDATION, a company which has holdings that include one of the largest television networks in the Philippines, has an extensive distribution network to get aid without delay to the people most affected by the typhoon.  There will be a charter plane flying out on Nov. 23 to bring the relief goods to the distribution centers located in these  areas, and we would need have all donations in hand by Thursday, Nov. 21."

The Rev. Olsen then quoted Scripture, a passage from St. Matthew:

"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me."