In an effort to simplify supply and distribution we have created "Boxes of Hope." We have 10,000 boxes ready to be sent out to Vineyard Churches all over the country to be filled with a pre-defined list of contents. There are 3 different categories of contents: food, basic hygiene items, and baby items. The idea is for these boxes to be taken home by people throughout the Vineyard community to be filled and returned to the church. They will then be shipped to Kenner to be distributed by teams working in the area. Below you will find some frequently asked questions regarding the Boxes of Hope program. Please email boxes@mercyresponse.com if you are interested in filling these boxes.
Go to the following website for the Boxes of Hope packing list.
http://mercyresponse.com/cgi-bin/kingdomtools/ktpublic.rb?ministry_id=9&utility=Page
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KENNER CAMPSITE / BASIC INFORMATION
Where will I be staying and where will I be working?
We are currently housing teams at our camp site at The Vineyard Church in Kenner, LA (just outside of New Orleans). All of the work that we perform will be in the city of New Orleans and surrounding areas. The address for the church is:
The Vineyard Church
4340 Loyola Drive
Kenner, LA 70065
504-467-3257
What are the accommodations like?
At our Kenner campsite, we provide a large air-conditioned/heated tent that is divided into men's and women's sections. There are indoor shower/bathroom facilities, and laundry facilities in a campground setting. We also can usually accommodate RV's, please call first. We no longer have water hook ups; electrical hook up is to a 15 amp circuit. The tent has multiple outlets for cell phone chargers, laptop chargers, etc. Internet access is also available to team members through a desktop computer, as well as a wireless network for personal laptops. Basic sleeping cots are provided and some single-size sleeping mats/mattresses are available, though team members are asked to bring their own bedding.
What is the schedule for a typical day?
The day starts at 6:45 am with general prep for the day. Breakfast is at 7 am and the teams leave for the work sites at 7:30 am. Teams leave the worksite by approximately 4:00 pm in order to get back to the main site, shower, and have dinner at 5:30 pm. After dinner, there are no scheduled events for the remainder of the evening. Teams are encouraged to meet and discuss the events of the day/week. Spaces are available to have a brief worship time or a group meeting. Lights turn off in the main sleeping tent at 10 pm.
Do you work on Sundays?
As a general guideline, we take Sundays off to provide a day off for the local staff and volunteers. This means that no meals are provided or work teams sent out on this day, though housing is always available. We encourage teams to explore the city and/or rest for the work week ahead. If choosing to attend the local Vineyard church while here (optional), service times are as follows: Sat 6 pm; Sun 9:30 & 11:15 am.
Will any meals be provided for me?
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided, free of charge, Monday–Friday of each week. If your team is working on Saturday, meal service will also be provided. No meals are provided on Sundays.
What if I have special dietary needs?
Our kitchen crew works very hard to prepare filling, healthy, balanced, (and quite tasty) meals for our volunteers. If you have special dietary needs (e.g. lactose-limited, Atkins, vegetarian, low-fat, vegan, gluten-free) we are simply not set-up to prepare special meals. Individuals with special dietary needs can bring/buy and prepare their own food. If needed, a microwave and refrigeration can be provided. For questions regarding dietary needs, please email Pam Fast, our Mercy Response cook, at pam@mercyresponse.com
I am trying to set up a budget for the trip. What are the costs that we need to prepare for?
There are no costs or hidden fees associated with staying at our relief site. We are able to provide housing and 3 meals/day at no cost to you: breakfast and supper are prepared and served to you at our site, and lunches are packed and sent with you during the workday. Sundays, however, are on your own, as we do not send out work teams or provide meals. Though, teams are more than welcome to stay on site, as housing is always available. The costs that you do need to take into account are transportation costs. You and your team are responsible for paying your own way down and back. This includes both fuel and vehicles to and from New Orleans, as well as to and from your work sites each day. Also, any meals during travel, Sunday meals, and any meals you choose to eat out while here should be considered as additional expenses.
WORK / ACTIVITY
What type of work will I be doing?
The needs of each location change, so work projects can vary. We ask that volunteers be flexible when they come and willing to do whatever is needed. The Fall of 2007 has moved us into a re-building campaign. We currently are placing work teams at various construction projects throughout Kenner and the Gentilly area of New Orleans. Team members may be asked to do a variety of jobs including hanging drywall, taping, mudding and preparing walls for painting, installing cabinets and flooring and a host of other projects. Specific projects your team works on will depend on the phase of construction each house is in. We also will send teams out to do demolition jobs on an as-needed basis. Tasks included in the demolition of a house are: cleaning out the interior of the house (removing personal belongings, appliances, etc), demolition of home interiors (removing flooring, sheetrock, etc.), clearing yards of overgrown bushes, grass, trash, etc, limited chainsaw work (removal of trees, limbs, and branches). We also periodically distribute supplies and food to the local community.
I have specialized construction skills... can you use me?
Yes! We are definitely in need of construction laborers. If you are skilled in the areas of construction, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, etc., please contact Jeff Hirschoff at jeffh@mercyresponse.com to let him know your skill level and experience. However, please note that the registration process is the same for all teams—skilled, mixed, and general.
I don’t have specialized construction skills. Are general laborers still welcome to participate in the rebuilding campaign?
Definitely! We encourage people of all skill levels to participate in our rebuilding efforts.
I have a team of mixed skills—some general laborers and some with specialized construction skills. Do I need to focus my team on a certain set of skills, or can I bring both?
Please bring as many volunteers as you are able, as we have enough work for any and all volunteers no matter the skill type, although we strongly encourage you to bring a 5 to 1 ratio of inexperienced workers to experienced workers. This will help the week to run more smoothly. If needed, we will split your team according to the labor required for a specific job. In the event that you have a large team and/or mixed skills, it is possible that your team will be split and sent to multiple sites.
Is there any type of orientation upon arrival? I've never done any construction work, how will I know what to do?
Every volunteer who comes through starts their stay with a short orientation that covers camp rules, expectations, etc. A basic construction safety orientation will also be given at the beginning of the week. All construction projects will be overseen by our construction manager or by a skilled volunteer.
Will we have any type of community involvement while we are there?
After 15 months, we have concluded our weekly Wednesday night cookout in Gentilly. While we do not have another weekly service project in place, we are always looking for opportunities to continue serving the communities around us. You may be asked to help us facilitate a special community project depending on the needs we see arise.
PACKING LISTS
What tools & supplies should I bring?
We have well stocked tool trailers for your use including hand tools, power tools, air nailers, gutting tools, wheelbarrows, ladders, etc., but please encourage your team members to bring their own hand tools and tools belts if they have them. Be sure all personal tools are marked before arriving at our site. Contact Jeff Hirschoff at 504-467-3257 or jeffh@mercyresponse.com with questions or to get a list of suggested hand tools to bring.
Suggested Items to Bring:
Safety Glasses/Goggles (available on site if needed)
Work Gloves (available on site if needed)
1 First Aid Kit (available on site if needed)
What personal items should I bring?
Clothes that can get dirty/ruined
Extra pairs of socks
Work boots or Heavy-duty tennis shoes (You CANNOT work in open-toed shoes such as sandals or flip-flops)
Rain gear (a rain jacket is usually sufficient)
Coat/Jacket or layers for cold weather
Toiletries
Sleeping bag (or equivalent, warm bedding)
Pillow
Single-size air or foam mattress (optional)
PLEASE DO NOT BRING any items of great personal value, expensive jewelry, etc. Keep in mind that you will be staying at a campsite where it is always possible that items could get wet or dirty during your time here.
Do I need to get shots before coming?
Although it is not required, we highly encourage being up-to-date on your Tetanus shots. Other recommended shots include Hepatitis A & B. If you are severely allergic to mold and/or dust, we recommend speaking with your physician prior to making trip plans.
TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS
What type of vehicles should we bring?
You should plan to bring enough vehicles to transport your team and work tools. In addition to your team, you many need to transport shovels/rakes/brooms, several five-gallon buckets of tools and supplies, and a wheelbarrow for every five people on your team. Some teams choose to strap wheelbarrows to the roof of their vehicles.
Do you have vehicles we can use for the week?
No. Each team needs to provide their own transportation to and from the job sites each week. We do have transportation to pull the tool trailers, but not necessarily room to transport all team members at a job site.
We plan to fly, which airport should we use?
You should book flights into Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY). Our campsite is located 10-15 minutes away from the airport. If we fly in, can you pick us up from the airport?Unfortunately, we simply do not have the manpower to pick large teams up at the airport. We apologize for the added cost, but you will need to make your own arrangements for transportation. All of the major car rental agencies (Hertz, Budget, Enterprise, etc.) offer their services from the airport. If you are on an extremely tight budget or if you have signed up as an individual, please contact our Teams Coordinator in order to discuss possible options.
QUESTIONS
Who do I contact with questions?
Janell Hirschoff is the coordinator for volunteer teams. She can be reached by email at janell@mercyresponse.com