FSPA continues support in Cedar Rapids, announces service trip

March 12, 2009

 

Last June flooding devastated Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration began supporting the community. Nine months later, that support continues.

According to Joann Gehling, FSPA and Cedar Rapids resident, “With spring approaching, many volunteers are signing up to come to Cedar Rapids to help with the long, ongoing process of gutting and rehabbing houses that were flooded.” Sister Joann extends her thanks to the students from Viterbo University who volunteered during their spring break to help several families work on their houses. She notes that the volunteers were housed at the former Fairfax rectory and FSPA affiliate Mary Ellen Dunford provided breakfast and snacks from contributions from other FSPA affiliates.

Sister Joann says, “Through the assistance of an FSPA grant and the contributions of other individuals and groups, the FSPAs and affiliates have adopted several families that are desperately in need of help.” She adds that the Olivet Clothes Closet is appreciative of the food, clothing and household items that arrive by the car loads from La Crosse and other areas.

For anyone interested in helping the Cedar Rapids community, the Franciscan Spirituality Center is sponsoring a service trip May 10 - 15, 2009. This group will stay at the Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center guest house. For more information or for an application, contact Jenny Walter: jwalter @ fspa.org or 608-791-5279.

To donate to the FSPA Cedar Rapids Relief Fund, visit our online donation form (please indicate Cedar Rapids in the “other” section).