Humanitarian Service Room

Deseret Industries

10740 Fairview, Boise

Tues, Weds. Thurs. from 10-2

Phone: 375-4681 ext.113.

The Service Room will be closed November 22-24 and the last two week of December beginning on the 16th.   If you have never worked a shift, then make the trip with us! Watch for an announcement soon.

Several weeks ago, Sister Stokes taught us about the great opportunities for service available through the Humanitarian Service Room.  I was stunned to learn how much good is done there!!  I assumed they just made quilts.  She shared the Church's great vision of caring for the poor and needy.  To see the worldwide efforts being made visit the Humanitarian Service page.

There are 20 Humanitarian Rooms in the Church.  We are fortunate to be so close to one.  Some time ago, the Church changed how some of these things were done.  For example, batting for quilts used to be shipped from Salt Lake City.  The shipping doubled the cost of the batting.  Now batting is purchased locally which allows the money once spent on shipping to stimulate local economies and provides for even more quilts to be made.  The tsunami in Japan offers another example.  Instead of shipping supplies from Salt Lake City, humanitarian funds were sent to stable regions near the affected area and used to purchase supplies locally.  This stimulated a local economy and provided familiar resources to those in need and opportunities for local members to serve each other. 

Almost all of the service offered through the Humanitarian Center will remain in our area.  We are to "love our neighbors" and care for the poor among us.  This provides so many more opportunities to serve!  All skill levels are needed.  If you can cut, glue, color, iron, fold, drive, package, or donate funds, then you can serve!  Supplies for projects can be picked up and then assembled at home as your schedule allows.  If you prefer to help finanically, they are funded through Humanitarian Donations (look on a tithing slip).  Donations of fabric, supplies, or finished projects can be sent to the Humanitarian Center by placing it in the DI trailer CLEARLY, CLEARLY marked HUMANITARIAN ROOM.

Serve together as a family!  Pick up projects to complete together during Christmas break or at a family reunion.

Current Needs from the Humanitarian Newsletter:

With Christmas around the corner, we are hoping to help area agencies to make Christmas a little brighter for the individuals they serve. Hygiene items, new bed pillows, diapers, wipes, baby items, small toys, underwear, socks and warm winter coats are just a few suggestions. If you would like to supply any of these items, they will be delivered throughout the area this season. 1,500 pounds of goods were given out in October and gratefully received by schools, homeless shelters, domestic abuse homes, family advocacy programs, medical and substance abuse treatment centers, learning and language facilities, refugees, families and individuals.

Here are a few stories Sister Stokes shared with us:

• A firefighter pulled two children from the bathtub because of a house fire.  They were wrapped in quilts until clothing became available. 
• Children removed from domestic abuse situations are given a new pair of pajamas and a new book to take with them on their first night away from home.
• Children in orphanages--which are fequently understaffed and underfunded--can go blind because of the lack of visual stimulation.  Wall hangings are made to protect their precious eyesight.
• Victims injured in car crashes who must wait for an ambulance can be covered in a quilt and protected until additonal help arrives. 
• At 18, children placed in foster care loose all financial resources and find themselves alone.  Arthur House was established by a couple who wanted to help these youth transition into the responsibility to provide for themselves.  They are frequently provided with pillows, blankets, towels, and other basic household items.
• School districts can request fleece jackets for children who repeatedly arrive at school without sufficent warm clothing in the winter.

These are just a few of the projects that are ongoing:

• School kits
• Toys
• File Folder games
• Balls made out of leftover scraps of fleece with 4 sides (football shaped) or round balls made our of 6 sides (square shaped)
• Puppets
• Bears with heart on the tummy--there is plenty of fabric available
• Orphanage clothing such as reversible dresses wtih a pocket doll
• Jing bell blocks made out of plastic canvas
• Wall hangings--panels are available to be quilted and sewn
• Fleece jackets
• Quilts for homeless shelters
• Hygiene kits for men and women
• Mentors for homless shelters and for a special program for refugees that have been sent here from countries like Russia, India, and Africa after 20 years in camps or have their lives in danger.  They are taught English and need help to adjust to life
• Pajamas and pillow cases for cancer patients
• Homemade diapers, baby cocoons, hats, etc for unwed mothers or mothers who are struggling to be mothers
• Special needs for children who are taken out of their homes for their safety such as pajamas, toys, clothing, books, blocks, etc