A Letter from Jane
Church of the Holy Light of the Queen
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A Letter from Jane
My Dear Friends, Brothers, and Sisters,
It seems that I am often writing to you asking for donations to various causes. That is because the need is so great, and we are committed to doing charity to alleviate the need where we can. I am most grateful for your generosity. Together we have undoubtedly done good. I want to tell you about some of it.
CHLQ has a Membership Assistance Fund that has helped and continues to help church members over these past 8 years with rents, food, medicine, therapy, and payment of necessary bills. Some people, when they get back on their feet, have then donated to help someone else. This is an ongoing fund.
Recently, I started a fund to help our brothers and sisters in Brasil during this time of the Covid virus. Many of you responded and we gathered just over $12,000 in funds to help individuals and projects. I will let you know where the funds went and how they were used later in this letter.
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| | And right now, as everyone knows, the west is burning. Strange weather patterns, extremely dry conditions, unusually hot temperatures, lightening strikes, and strong winds produced huge fires. Small fires turned into massive fires throughout Oregon, California, and Washington State. Whole towns burned down. The air is full of smoke. Some people lost everything. The need for relief is huge.
Almost every church and community outreach center are gathering supplies and distributing them. The outpouring of compassion is very moving and affirming. That aspect is very beautiful to see and be part of.
My concern is what happens over the long term. And I am especially concerned about what will happen to those who often slip through the cracks; children, single parents, seasonal workers who may not have their documents in order, those who are already partially lost in the systems.
I would like you to consider donating to allow me to help that population. There are organizations that I know of that do fine work with the underserved. The Northwest Seasonal Worker’s Association is working with those documented and undocumented. They are providing all supplies for the population that they focus on, helping with housing and with the devastation of finding oneself suddenly homeless. The Family Nurturing Center is dedicated to breaking down cycles of abuse within families; breaking down isolation, mentoring, finding permanent housing and fostering self-sufficiency. There are many small organizations in this area with suddenly big missions. I am finding out about more and more of them over these days. I am fortunate to have my beloved children and husband helping me in this endeavor.
This latest project began because two people, out of their love and trust in me, spontaneously gave me donations to help those in need and, especially to help those that are often forgotten. I used some of the money to give to a fund through the local credit union that matched the funds up to $50,000. This goal was met in less than a day and I was happy to have the money I donated doubled. I then spoke to the Northwest Seasonal Worker’s volunteers to get a sense of what they needed. I went to a local store to buy as much as I could with $500. The cashier, appreciating what I was doing, applied a store discount and now I have another $100 to use to collect more needed supplies.
It is through kindness and generosity that we can give aid and spread hope in these times of so much confusion and troubles. We can focus on connecting with our common humanity instead of on division and isolation. We can all do at least one thing each day to help someone.
If you feel connected to this project and have the means to help, please consider donating to this fund being through the Church of the Holy Light of the Queen. CHLQ is a 5O1c-3 and all of your donations are tax deductible.
Now for an update about the Brazil Aid Fund.
This fund started with an inspiration to help the communities and people we are close to during the beginning of the Covid virus. We raised $12,522.64. So far, we have dispersed $9400.
We
donated to a community garden in the community of Céu da Montanha, in
Maua, which is growing organic vegetables for the community and to sell
in the surrounding towns. |
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We donated to a fund started by Madrinha Sonia Palheres to help the original folks who founded Céu do Mapiá with Padrinho Sebastião. They are the backbone of what became the center of the Santo Daime path. They are now quite elderly. They need to have their medical needs taken care of. Madrinha Sonia made a plan to help them. As we have done many times over the years, we supported a project that directly helps the people of a Daime community.
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We donated to help people in financial and medical need in Flor da Montanha, in Lumiar, at the beginning of the virus. We supported a garden of Rainha, Jagube, and medicinal plants there. We also supported a self-sustainability project to grow and dehydrate shiitake mushrooms. This project has been on hold because some of the people involved were sick with the virus.
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| | The Brasil Assistance Fund has made a positive difference for many people. We have brought direct aid to people in need and helped people improve their lives. I feel really good about it. And again, I am most grateful to those of you who have seen the worth of this project and made it possible.
To Contribute:
For PayPal:
chlqcomm@gmail.com
Please mark the donation for Rogue Valley help, the Brazil fund, or the Membership Assistance Fund.
Mail: somewhat iffy in these times – mail a check to:
CHLQ,
P.O. Box 911 Ashland OR
97520.
(Note the fund on the check.)
If you do not have Paypal, I have Venmo:
Jane Seligson@Jane-Seligson.
Again, let us know what fund you are interested in supporting.
With much love, gratitude, and sending you Light.
-Jane
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