Dear Friends,
While the whole country attends to news reports of the damage wrought by disasters that occur each
year, many citizens respond in the only ways they know how—through prayer and financial support.
For many years, students from California Lutheran University have traveled to the southeastern
regions of the United States to work on homes that have suffered hurricane and tornado damage. Last
year, they went to New Orleans, LA to help with hurricane repair through construction efforts.
During January 11th to January 17th, 2015, students from Cal Lutheran will spend the last week of their
winter break in an unforgettable way. They will travel to Biloxi, Mississippi through Community
Collaborations International for a week of service and cultural exploration. While in Biloxi, the
students will have the opportunity to serve through environmental restoration and other community
projects.
The Biloxi area has been hit by a variety of disasters in the last ten years, including Hurricane Katrina,
Hurricane Ike, and the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. Community Collaborations International has been
working in the gulf coast for ten years, bringing in 7,000 student volunteers. This year, Cal Lutheran
students will be working to restore the environment there through projects such as restoring
shorelines, sea grass, and public lands, propagating native plants, removing invasive species, and more.
Our purpose in this project is to enter into the reality through the testimonies and experiences of the
local culture as we work alongside them to provide sustainable projects that will last long after we
return to our own community. Our hope is that these students will return home to investigate how
people within their own communities are working in solidarity for a just and sustainable world and
continue work locally. Your financial support towards a student’s trip is a way for you to be present
with a community in need and a force for good for the community of Biloxi.
The cost of the trip is $625 per person. If you would like to support a student traveler financially, you
are welcome to send a check to “California Lutheran University” in care of the Community Service
Center at the address below. If you are supporting a particular student, please indicate this as well. As
Cal Lutheran is a 501C Corporation, your contribution could be tax deductible on your tax return;
please check with your tax advisor. The cancelled check is your receipt. Your gifts will be transformed
into learning and sustainable action.
Please keep us in your prayers as we travel to Biloxi for this life-changing experience!
Sincerely,
Karen Schomaker, Senior Coordinator for Community Service
Melissa Maxwell-Doherty, University Pastor
Community Service Center
60 West Olsen Road #6300
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
Phone: 805 493-3680