St. John's Church in Savannah lost its roof to a hurricane--but that was in 1854, one year after this historic house of worship was dedicated. Since then, like much of Savannah, it has been spared, most recently in September when Irma's track shifted westward from earlier projections that had aimed at the Georgia coast.  "We were grateful for our deliverance," said the Rector, the Rev. Gavin Dunbar," and we wanted to show it, not just in words, but in actions, by helping those who were hard hit."  With the help of parishioner Martin Sullivan, that gratitude brought them into contact with Trinity Church by the Cove in Naples, Florida, and its outreach to the community of Parkside Elementary School, a mainly Latino neighborhood of blue-collar service workers and their families, hard hit by Irma. Among the damage, the school's library had been destroyed. 

St. John's parishioners donated hundreds of books, many school supplies, and  $17,000. "I was stunned by the response," said Dunbar, "I had hoped we could raise a few thousand dollars." Martin and Martha Sullivan, the coordinators of the effort, brought the donations, including 1,000 books, to the school in Florida last week.

St. John's is still accepting donations.  Checks can be sent to St. John's Church, 1 West Macon Street, Savannah, GA 31401 marked "Irma" in the memo line, or donated online at www.stjohnssav.org (click on "special collection" under "online giving").  To donate school supplies or children's books in good condition, contact Martha Sullivan at (912) 663-6221 or email [email protected]

St. John's parishioners Martin and Martha Sullivan (first and third from left, back row) with Tom Gemmer, (second from left, back row) the school counselor who is coordinating disaster relief with Trinity Church by the Cove, and students from Parkside Elementary who helped unload some of the 1,000 books the Sullivans brought to their school in Naples, Fla.