MDS Awareness and Dessert Evening in Edmonton

On April 24 Lendrum Mennonite Brethren church in Edmonton hosted an MDS Awareness and Dessert evening. More than 70 people came out on a snowy, chilly day to hear about MDS. Lois Nickel (Extension office, Winnipeg, staff person) gave a talk entitled “Waiting”, highlighting the disciples waiting for the Holy Spirit after Jesus went to heaven, disaster survivors waiting for help to arrive, and MDS waiting for volunteers so the work can begin and carry on throughout the year. The Friesen Family Band entertained with angelic acapella singing. Their praise songs certainly gave honour to our great God and left us in awe of their talent. Three couples shared pictures and reports from their times serving with MDS this past year: Bert and Doris Hamm, Sandra and Harold Friesen, and Garry and Anne Wiens. Their stories were inspiring and interesting. A silent auction of hand made items (walking sticks, bowls, wall hangings, etc) and desserts kept everyone busy for the remainder of the evening. Donations including the auction totaled $3,600 for the ongoing efforts of MDS around Canada and the US.

Margi Nickel (attendee) examines the hottest item at the auction – a wooden engraved platter made and donated by Menno Klassen

MDS Manitoba Unit News, April 24, 2009

Mennonite Disaster Service continues to attend meetings with other non-government agencies and Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization (EMO). We are also meeting as a Manitoba MDS board to determine where the needs for flood clean up and repair will be and if volunteers will be needed. Please call the MDS office at 1-866-261-1274 if you can offer your name or a group available to volunteer and/or if you become aware of any needs for volunteer help in your neighborhood.

MDS is aware that many areas of the province have been affected in some ways by this flood. Although the government will be providing funding for both clean up and repair, MDS wants to be ready to fill in the gaps where needs are not being met. These needs often come to the forefront weeks after the disaster (and after media attention has moved on to new stories).

MDS Manitoba Unit News April 13, 2009

MDS Manitoba Annual Awareness and Fundraising Banquet raises $18,000

On April 4, 2009, MDS Manitoba hosted a wonderful banquet at the Steinbach Mennonite Church. Almost 500 people dined on a superb meal of local farmer sausage, meatballs, mashed potatoes, cobbler and ice-cream. Special music was provided by “Out of the Blue”. Ed Reimer from Arborg shared about the MDS Interlake Hay project and Kevin King from the MDS Akron office was the keynote speaker. This was also the opportunity to thank Ben Funk for his six years as chair of the Manitoba unit and introduce Kerry Eidse, the new chair.

MDS Manitoba Interlake Hay Project

Heavy rains in the summer and fall of 2008 did not allow farmers to harvest their hay and grain crops, leaving them without feed for their cattle. To date farmers in the southern part of the province have donated 63 loads of hay and straw that have been shipped to 37 clients. More loads are being delivered this week; the requests and needs continue from this community.