Sometimes I Write

I received this email this morning from the HSLDA, or Home School Legal Defense Association. I wanted to pass it along to you in case you know of a homeschooling family in need after Katrina’s destruction. There are specialty groups all over the country helping out, I just happen to be a part of this one, as well as a few others. God bless you all as we give a hand up to those in need!

Friends of Homeschooling,

So many of you–over 3,500 families–have expressed your willingness to help. We have been overwhelmed by your generosity. Thank you! If you did not receive a response, please accept our apology–we simply could not respond to each offer of help. Now we need your eyes and ears to assist us in locating homeschooling families who have been displaced because of the hurricane. We are in contact with state homeschool organizations across the southern United States, and we’re also notifying a number of relief agencies, churches, and media outlets in an effort to get the word out, but with much of the Gulf Coast’s communications infrastructure severely damaged, we need your assistance as well.

If you know of a homeschooling family who needs assistance as a result of Hurricane Katrina–a place to stay, a job, curriculum for their children, even transportation to another location, please let us know, and tell them we’re ready to help. At this time, we have way more offers than takers! We have categorized each offer of assistance and now are ready to match requests for help with the generous offers we have received. From families needing assistance, we would like to know:

What type of help do they need? – Housing – Job – Curriculum
If they need housing, – Do they have a preference of location?
How long do they anticipate needing another place to stay?
Size of family, ages and sex of children?
Any special accommodations (e.g., pets, handicapped access)?
Special requests (e.g., prefer family with boys)?

Families seeking help may email us at www.hurricanehelprequest.org or call us at (540) 338-5600. Additionally, to stay abreast of our efforts to help these families, you can visit HSF’s website at www.homeschoolfoundation.org/hurricane . Thanks again for partnering with HSLDA and the Home School Foundation as we demonstrate the love of Christ to each family who is precious in His sight.

Sincerely, Mike Smith
President

P.S. If you have made an offer to host another family and we find a fairly close match among the requests that come to us, we will provide you with contact information that you can use to talk with the potential “guest family” to determine if it is the right match for your family.