Religious institutions do their part to aid victims

This is the third in a four-part series about Boston-based relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina.

Among the dozens of charities working to rebuild the lives shattered by Hurricane Katrina, religious organizations based in Boston are working together to raise money, collect food and clothing and send volunteers to assist Gulf Coast victims.

Religious institutions saw a chance to showcase their philanthropy and good will in Katrina, and Jews, Unitarian Universalists and other religious groups have heeded the country's call for aid in many ways.

"We are starting to see what needs to happen as we shift from first response rescue aid to providing long-term assistance," said Patty Jacobson, spokeswoman for Combined Jewish Philanthropies, an organization that coordinates fundraisers and events to help those in need in the greater Boston area.

Currently, 104 local synagogues are working together to provide aid for storm evacuees under the organization's direction.

Combined Jewish Philanthropies is also working with Mayor Thomas Menino to coordinate a citywide clothing drive for the victims. Several collection bins have been placed throughout the city and all donations are being distributed to those in need in the Gulf states, Jacobson said. "Coordination with other organizations is essential in times of crisis like this," Jacobson said. "We are trying our best to sustain interest in the community."

Though some organizations, such as the American Red Cross, are coordinating volunteer trips to the Gulf Coast, some religious groups are choosing not to organize group trips because of strict regulations and limited funding, Jacobson said.

"Our experience with volunteers has been that in order for people to be of service, it takes a tremendous effort on the part of the individual to be placed in a relief area," Jacobson said. "The reality of the situation requires individuals who are willing to volunteer in affected areas to make a serious commitment."

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston and the First Unitarian Universalist Church are also coordinating citywide relief efforts.

The archdiocese is working in conjunction with the Boston chapter of Catholic Charities USA to distribute food, clothing and funds to hurricane victims in need throughout the country, said Virginia Reynolds, spokeswoman for Catholic Charities Boston chapter.

More than $7 million has been raised by Catholic Charities of Boston as part of the relief effort, excluding individual parish donations, according to a press release from the group.

"Catholic Charities has also been able to place families in temporary housing and provide counseling for them," Reynolds said.

The First Unitarian Universalist Church has also initiated several efforts to assist the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

"We took up a collection for the victims, and we are also holding a book drive so we can send books to the evacuees in Houston and San Antonio," Church Administrator Ellen Meyers said.

The First Unitarian Universalist Church is collecting new and used books, specifically those geared toward children and young adults, to provide evacuees with reading materials to which they may not have had access since they left their homes.

Meyers said the church also plans to host a penny drive this fall through the religious education department.

The First Unitarian Universalist Church has already raised $2,500 for Katrina victims, and collections of clothing, food, blankets and other supplies in immediate demand are ongoing.

In addition to the work done by large religious organizations, Catholic Charities of Boston and Combined Jewish Philanthropies, many smaller churches and synagogues are hosting hurricane collections at weekly services to raise funds for the victims.