Chicagoland

Deacons need more supplies to help hurricane victims

By Chicago Catholic
Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Deacons need more supplies to help hurricane victims

When natural disasters strike around the country a group of “second responders” mobilizes in the Archdiocese of Chicago sending out utility buckets filled with much-needed cleaning supplies to affected areas.
Deacon Joe Wixblad watches as volunteers with Toy Box Connection in Orland Park pack up donations for Puerto Rico. Hope’s on the Way, a ministry of Chicago deacons, fills buckets with various cleaning supplies and ships them to those in need following a natural disaster. It is their first shipment to Puerto Rico through Toy Box Connection. The nonprofit Toy Box Connection, run by Michelle Maxia, a parishioner of St. Michael Parish in Orland Park, distributes new and used toys to children around the United States. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Deacon Joe Wixblad watches as volunteers with Toy Box Connection in Orland Park pack up donations for Puerto Rico. Hope’s on the Way, a ministry of Chicago deacons, fills buckets with various cleaning supplies and ships them to those in need following a natural disaster. It is their first shipment to Puerto Rico through Toy Box Connection. The nonprofit Toy Box Connection, run by Michelle Maxia, a parishioner of St. Michael Parish in Orland Park, distributes new and used toys to children around the United States. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

When natural disasters strike around the country a group of “second responders” mobilizes in the Archdiocese of Chicago sending out utility buckets filled with much-needed cleaning supplies to affected areas. 

That group, Hope’s on the Way, was formed by local deacons following Hurricane Katrina. With all of the natural disasters around the country this year, they have sent 250 buckets to Puerto Rico, 320 to Houston, 300 to Baton Rouge and 120 to North Carolina. 

They are looking for donations from parishes to help fill more buckets. Parishes that participate will receive buckets to fill with items such as disposable gloves and heavy-duty trash bags.

Those who would prefer to donate money can buy the buckets themselves for $5 each, or give monetary donations to cover the cost of cleaning supplies. It takes about $20 to buy the supplies included in each bucket.

For information or to donate, visit www.hopesontheway.org.

Topics:

  • deacons
  • hurricane

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