You can help flood victims with UMCOR cleaning and hygiene kits

GILFORD — The 2017 hurricane season has hit us hard; clean up will be long and overwhelming. Hurricanes have brought devastation to homes and property for many people. For those affected the effects of wind, rain and mud on homes goes beyond the physical destruction. It eats away also at their emotional and financial stability. It is comforting to know that neighbors around the nation are lending a hand to help out.

The White Mountain HUB of UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) is putting out a call for cleaning bucket and hygiene kit materials. You, your family, and neighborhood can work together to help provide these necessary items to help in times of disaster. The hurricanes will take a toll on the shelves at the UMCOR depots, but the need will be met. Cleaning buckets and hygiene kits, although small in the scope of the devastation, are a beginning to healing and restoration.

Materials or financial donations (To donate money, write “flood buckets” on notation line of checks made out to FUMC) can be brought to the First United Methodist Church in Gilford, 18 Wesley Way (Off 11A near the 3/11 bypass) on Sundays from 9 a.m. to noon, or dropped off during the week, Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. – noon.

Materials gathered will be assembled into kits and taken to the HUB distribution area at the Plymouth UMC. There the kits will be verified and sent to Mission Central (Northeastern UMCOR depot) from where they will be distributed.

Please follow the list carefully as the items are specific in size and quantity. They are currently collecting these items:

For cleaning buckets

• 5-Gallon Buckets with re-sealable lids - buckets from fast-food restaurants or bakeries can be used if washed and cleaned. No buckets that have stored chemicals such as paint or pool cleaner. Advertisements on the outside are acceptable. Maximum height, 15” to top of lid.

• Liquid Laundry Detergent - 50-oz. or two 25-oz. bottle(s) only

• Liquid Household Cleaner - 12-16 oz. concentrated liquid cleaner that can be mixed with water

• Dish Soap - 16-28 oz. bottle, any brand

• Clothespins - wood, plastic, spring-loaded or push-on

• Clothesline - 100-ft. or two 50-ft. lines, cotton or plastic

• Sponges - no cellulose sponges due to mold issues, foam only

• Heavy-Duty Trash Bags, 24-roll of 33-45 gallon sizes

• Cleaning wipes - i.e. Handi-wipes or reusable wipes, no terry cleaning towels

• Air Freshener - aerosol cans or pump

• Insect-Repellant Spray - 6-14 oz. aerosol or spray pump with protective cover

• Kitchen Dishwashing Gloves - should be durable enough for multiple uses

• Work Gloves - all cotton with leather palm or all leather

• Scouring Pads - no stainless steel, Brillo pads or SOS pads (nothing with soap built in)

• Scrub Brushes - with plastic or wood handle

For hygiene kits

• Hand Towels - 15” x 25” to 17”x 27” (no kitchen, cleaning, or microfiber towels please)

• Washcloths - adult size

• Sturdy Combs - at least 6” of teeth (no pocket combs or picks please)

• Metal Nail Files or Clippers (no emery boards or toenail clippers please)

• Bath-size Soap - 3 oz. and larger sizes only, no Ivory or Jergens soap due to moisture content , do not remove from original packaging

• Single packed Toothbrushes - adult size only, do not remove from original packaging

• Adhesive bandages - ¾” to 1” size, common household-type, character band-aids are OK as long as they are not patriotic

• Gallon-size re-sealable bags

• Cash to purchase toothpaste - toothpaste must be purchased by UMCOR immediately before shipping to recipients because of expiration dates

Please note that all items must be new. Do not wash any of the items as they will be considered used. Please consider the list carefully as the items are specific in size and quantity. If you are unable to complete a full kit, any items toward a kit are gratefully received.

For further information or questions, call the Plymouth HUB at 603-254-7337 or email thewhitemountainhub@gmail.com. You can learn more about UMCOR and its recovery efforts by going to UMCOR.org. There is also a link on the website to personally donate financially towards the recovery efforts if so called.