Description: Gather with young adults to assemble relief kits for people affected by natural disasters around the world. This is a time to help others and also recall times when God has been a refuge for the storms in our own lives.
Get Ready
- Prep Time: You should begin planning for this event two-three weeks in advance. At that time, contact local businesses asking for donations of the items you need to make your relief kits (see list in “Supplies Needed”). Also ask young adults to bring the items on the list to assemble kits. Ask them to sign up in advance so you know what supplies you will need to provide for complete kits.
- Ideal Group Size: 10-15 young adults
- Ideal Time for This Event: You might plan this event for a Saturday morning or on a Sunday after Mass. You can follow up with coffee or a meal together.
- Who is this for? All young adults.
- Supplies Needed: Enough items to assemble four-five hygiene kits per person. You’ll need one of each of the following: 1 toothbrush (adult size; leave in wrapper), 1 squeeze-tube toothpaste (minimum 130ml /6oz; leave in box), 1 large bar of bath soap, 1 fingernail clipper, 1 hand towel (larger than fingertip, dark color), and one gallon-size plastic bag with a zipper closure.
- Reserve the Space: You will need a space with at least two large tables to lay out the supplies and assemble the kits.
- Publicize the Program: Once you have set a date for the event, spread the word through e-mail, parish bulletins, flyers, and social media. You should share the list of supplies with young adults and ask them to bring some supplies for the kits if they are able. Announce the event at mass.
Prayer for Program Planner: God, I pray this program will help young adults think about the different ways they can make a difference in the lives of those in need. Be with us as we prepare to provide a small measure of comfort to people who have suffered in severe storms. Amen.
Community Building: The reflection questions (below) and inviting young adults out for coffee or a meal after you assemble the relief kits will give you an opportunity to get to know one another better. If you have a young adult budget for this program, you might schedule a shopping trip and invite young adults to join you as you purchase items for the kits.
Make It Happen:
- Welcome young adults and ask them to think about a time they have experienced a storm. What did it feel like? What did it sound like? Were you able to stay in your home and be safe? Did you need to leave and go to a safer place? What was that like? If you’ve never had to evacuate your home because of a storm, what do you imagine it might be like? Take a few minutes for young adults to share their experiences with another person and then ask for a few reflections to be shared with the entire group.
- Next, ask young adults to think about a time when God was with them during a stormy time. How did they know God was with them?
- Assemble the hygiene kits with the materials you’ve gathered. Remember — each kit should have one of the following: 1 toothbrush (adult size; leave in wrapper), 1 squeeze-tube toothpaste (minimum 130ml /6oz; leave in box), 1 large bar of bath soap, 1 fingernail clipper, 1 hand towel (larger than fingertip, dark color), and one gallon-size plastic bag with a zipper closure. Place these items in a gallon-size bag with a zipper seal.
- Place all of the kits on a pile in the center of one of the tables. Gather the group around the kits for a prayer. Pray: God of storm, may these kits offer strength and peace to those who suffer from severe storms. May they know your presence and be calm in your embrace. Amen.
- Arrange to ship your kits to the proper location: For drop-off/shipping in Canada go to the Mennonite Central Committee website for details: www.mcc.org/kits/hygiene/ and www.mcc.org/kits/dropofflocations
Ideas
- You might announce your program to the entire parish and ask them to make donations for the health kits. You might place a box in the parish office or sanctuary entrance to collect these donations.
- Immediately following a disaster, relief organizations evaluate the needs of communities affected by disaster and respond as needs quickly evolve with the help of cash donations, as well. We all have items we don’t need. Make plans for a young adult or parish yard sale or tag sale and donate the proceeds to Catholic Charities or Catholic Relief Services.
