Dear Neighbors:
As you all know many people have come in harms way through the recent disaster in Western and American Samoa.
Many of the Samoan families that are part of our community have been effected. Of the 100 members of the Samoan Church here at High Point some 500 to 1,000 family and friends are in need in American and Western Samoa. Entire families have lost all their belongings and homes.
The community of High Point has benefited greatly from the generosity of spirit and community giving from the members of the church. They have consistantly shown their support of the community by picking up litter twice a month, barbequing, serving and cleaning up after events, painting out graffiti, and allowing the Homeowners and Open Space Associations to hold meetings in their church hall free of charge.
Pastor Va’a and I have recently met to determinehow the High Point Community might be of assistance and support to their community.The church is attempting to raise $10,000 from its High Point members to ship necessary basic living needs to friends and family in Samoa and they could really use our help.
They are looking for donations of the following: Money (in the form of a check), canned and dried foods, hand tools, tarps, rope, bed sheets (no blankets needed), linens, towels, personal care female products, light fabric shirts and pants, T shirts, flip flops, tooth paste, tooth brushes, baby clothes, baby formula, diapers and baby food.
The needs are many and you can help. Please do the following: put your clean gently used clothing and other donations in a plastic bag and let us know when and where they can be picked up or if you could bring them to the office we will assist with getting them stored in the church hall.If you are in a position to offer some monetary donation please make your check out to:
High Point Lighthouse Samoan Assembly of God
and mail it to:
Attn: Jeanette Fournier
6658 35th Ave SW,
Seattle, WA 98126.
Two High Point families have already generously donated. Join them please with your donation.Time is of the essence, please have your donations to us by October 23rd. Pastor Va’a, the members of the Samoan Church and I kindly thank you for your generosity.
Jeanette, Elizabeth, Zach and Mila
P.S. Since many of you know Mila, I offer a quick update. Thankfully, our own staff member has made contact with his many family in American Samoa and all survived. One of his sons heard the warning and packed up the family and all camping type gear available and was able to ensure the survival of all members. After the waters receded they returned to their home. All was lost, though they feel extremely blessed. Mila’s 98 year old mother is doing just fine and she and Mila are feeling very proud of their son and grandson.