Greetings!
One of the parts of MDS that I really love is the multilevel partnerships that are formed in our work. Each year, hundreds of volunteers come together to form a partnership of labour and leadership in enabling our front-line work of disaster recovery. Along with that is our partnership with the many different churches who help us get the word out about volunteer opportunities, giving time to those who return to report on their experiences, and often include MDS in their budgets.
Donors are another type of partnership we enjoy. We have many donors who have never been on a project, but who have come to love the work of MDS in helping disaster survivors. We could not do our work without this partnership.
Local organizations and businesses where disaster has struck provide some of the most practical help to our work. Local churches, community centres or camps frequently go the extra mile to allow us to use their facilities to set up camp and accommodate volunteers. Local business frequently offer support by way of discounts, gifts, encouragement, and amazing service. Of particular note in many of our small towns and cities in Canada are the local Home Hardware stores whose owners and managers have most frequently been wonderful to work with.
Another level of partnership is those organizations with whom we network in responding to disasters. We have enjoyed partnerships with Canadian Red Cross, Canadian Lutheran World Relief, Salvation Army, Adventist Development and Relief Agency, Max Insurance, United Way, and other foundations in receiving grants to help rebuild homes. These types of partnerships ensure we are doing as little duplication of response as possible.
Our ultimate partnership is with our God, a partnership rooted in love and putting our faith into action.
Thanks for being a part of this partnership with us!
