It has now been a little over two months since wildfires raged through Maui, devastating the town of Lahaina. Over 100 people are now known dead and thousands more needed to be evacuated from the town. Although the actual fires are now behind us, the wake of their destruction is still unfolding. Not only is there a need to rebuild roughly 2000 buildings that were destroyed, but the thousands who lost their homes need all the support they can get to continue with their lives.
 
The Hawaiian Conference of the UCC has already received over $400,000 in donations toward Maui recovery, including donations of $5,000 or more from roughly ten mainland churches. Although this is only a drop in the bucket compared to the overwhelming needs, it would be a great statement to the generosity of our congregation if Plymouth were to become a member of that select group.

Share the Plate donations will be be sent to the UCC National Office's Hawaii Relief fund of Global HOPE Disaster Ministries. Learn more about the UCC response here.

You donated $555.74 via Share the Plate and $2620 in specific donations for Hawaii Fire Relief, so the total sent to Global HOPE was $3175.74.

Our Share the Plate partner for April 9-30, 2023 was the Afghan Family we are supporting as they resettle in Fort Collins.

Plymouth and Heart of the Rockies are cosponsors of a family of 6 who fled Afghanistan in 2021 to resettle in Fort Collins. Our activity involves seeking employment, language classes, schooling, legal assistance, medical services, and community engagement to build skills for self sufficiency. Learn the family's story and how you can become involved:

• Read the background article.
  
• Read more on our Immigration Ministry Team page
  

Plymouth sent $1679 to this ministry from Share the Plate in April.