Chapel 'zips' relief to Katrina workers, victims

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Eric M. Grill
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFPN) --  Four weeks after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast region, the chapel service here continues to accept donations for aid in the ongoing recovery and relief operations here.

The chapel is participating in Operation Zip Lock, where they are collecting donations of basic, travel-size toiletries placed in gallon-size, sealable bags for survivors of hurricane Katrina and first responders.

"Even though we're more than 1,000 miles away, Edwards is there," said Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Herrie Reed, 95th Air Base Wing chaplain. "We feel their pain, and we're concerned. It makes me happy to see that even though we are geographically separated, people are saying 'we want to help,' and they are showing Edwards cares through prayers and financial… donations.

Besides Operation Zip Lock, the chapel also accepted monetary donations during two recent separate prayer worship services.

"We collected about $6,200 to go to four different charities: the Archbishop Military Chaplain Association; Feed The Hungry; Samaritan Purse; and World Vision, all religious charities that are aiding the victims of Hurricane Katrina," Chaplain Reed said.

In a Sept. 21 letter to base chaplains, Chaplain (Maj. Gen.) Charles C. Baldwin, the Air Force chief of chaplains, thanked Chaplain Services Air Force-wide by saying, "I want to thank you for your outpouring of generosity to help support the victims of Hurricane Katrina through the many designated offerings received in your worshiping communities."

The Air Force Chaplain Services raised more than $337,000.

"Our chaplain service personnel have spearheaded food drives, clothing drives, ministered those who were displaced and even participated in a lemonade sale," Chaplain Baldwin said. "Twenty-four active duty and Reserve chaplain servicemembers brought ministry to hurricane-afflicted Airmen and other Americans. Combined, this is Air Force 'service before self' at its best."

People here are still calling the chapel to see what they can do to help with the ongoing efforts.

"We tell them about Operation Zip Lock, and if they want to do more, we refer those people to the American Red Cross and Salvation Army, as well as the Dream Center (church), located in Los Angeles," Chaplain Reed said.

The Dream Center is housing several hundred New Orleans evacuees.

"Like everyone around the country, this is a long-term effort," Chaplain Reed said. "There will be other events we'll hold in support of not only Katrina victims, but Hurricane Rita.

"When you see tragedy and trauma like this, it is important for people to remember we are all family, and family takes care of one another," he added.

The chapel will continue to participate in Operation Zip Lock until Oct. 14. Then the donated toiletry items will be given to the American Red Cross.