volunteering

While most Americans have amenities like a vehicle, a home, food to eat, fresh water to drink and nice shoes to wear, there are many adults and children who around the world face each day with minimal clothes, little food and no shoes.

This Thursday Nov. 10^th from 6-9 p.m. at the New Hope Life Center, 8052 Bank Street Road, Batavia will host a community volunteering event to provide shoes to children and adults of Uganda to protect their feet from jiggers.  

Jiggers are small chigoe fleas that live in the dust, and are found on the dirt floors in schools and the homes of many families in Uganda and other similar climates.

These parasitic insects cling to and infest livestock, transferring jiggers into homes primarily in rural areas. The female jiggers burrow into the surface of skin that has been exposed to the flea. Once embedded in the body, the jigger lays eggs and creates up to pea-size egg sacks and continues to multiply by laying more eggs.

Materials needed for this event are denim blue or black jeans, a pair of fabric scissors and monetary donations will be accepted. Suggested donation is $10 but will accept any donations.

The $10 donation covers costs to:

$3 -- pay the tailor

$3 -- for the shoemaker

$2 -- purchase supplies, tires, thread and glue to finish the shoes.

$2 -- to get the shoes overseas to Uganda.

Sole Hope is also in need for foot washing and jigger removal supplies like, Emla numbing cream, stickers for children, large safety pins, surgical gloves, cotton balls, medical tape, gauze, band aids, suckers or lollipops.

For more information and or to make a donation contact Michelle at 585-297-0779. 

Pictured above from left to right are Pastor Tammy J. Smith from New Hope ministries and Michelle Gillard.

Genesee County Habitat for Humanity is starting its eighth house in about 11 years.

The blessing, with the new family that will be working along with many volunteers to completely renovate the house, was held Saturday afternoon with friends and relatives in attendence.

Angelina, Nikalina and Carmelina have been selected for the house at 150 State Street in Batavia.

The mother of two will have to complete hours of "sweat equity," and when finished, the keys will be turned over to her family.

Habitat will carry a 30-year, interest-free mortgage on the cost of materials.

Check geneseehabitat.com for updates on the progress of the renovations and all questions about Habitat.

Jessica Tomidy, executive director of GCHFH, on right, assisted with the blessing.