The Arc of Northeast Mississippi volunteers offered the local chapter of the Red Cross a helping hand Friday.

Excerpt from The Daily Journal

TUPELO – From one Arc to another ARC, volunteers offered the local chapter of the American Red Cross a helping hand on Friday.

 

The Arc of Northeast Mississippi, which helps people with disabilities and their families, gathered to assist the American Red Cross replenish its stock of comfort kits.

 

“We do what we can to give back,” said Cheryl Falzone, Arc of Northeast Mississippi director. “We try to do at least one community project a quarter.”

 

The comfort kits, which are assembled from donated supplies, include simple toiletries like toothpaste, tooth brushes, wash clothes, soap, shampoo, combs and hair brushes. Crayons are sorted into kits to help entertain youngsters.

 

“We use them in all kinds of casework and disasters,” said Joe Lukas, Red Cross volunteer who oversees operations and disaster services for the Northeast Mississippi chapter.

 

It’s hard to say where the kits will go, Lukas said. They may end up helping a family displaced by fire or natural disaster locally or be sent to other parts of the country to help those in need. But the kits are a tangible expression of the care of the larger community for those facing a crisis, Lukas said.

 

“Even if they are in a shelter, they can wash their hands and face and brush their teeth,” Lukas said, “anything to make them feel refreshed.”

 

The Tupelo office usually keeps a reserve of about 80 comfort kits in stock. The chapter responds to crises in 31 counties in the northern third of the state.

 

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