Dear Friend,
The COVID-19 pandemic looks as though it will continue to some degree for the rest of the year and beyond. Not one of us has escaped its effect. These are indeed challenging times as we all try to adjust to a “new normal." We hope you are staying in good spirits and health!
Our hearts certainly go out to all who are suffering right now, emotionally, financially, mentally, or spiritually. Our services continue to be available and our mission,
“To come alongside first-responders who experience extraordinary human events daily and to offer them emotional and spiritual support services,” continues.
Throughout this pandemic, we have never failed to respond when our First Responders (law enforcement, fire department and EMS personnel) have called.
Our doors have never closed as we have endured this crisis together. Many First Responder agencies have donated personal protective equipment (PPE) to our chaplains to help ensure our safety during our calls.
Just this past Sunday, we responded on-scene three different times at the request of our First Responders for a chaplain. Since this pandemic began, we have sat down with these everyday heroes after child fatalities, multiple-fatality vehicle crashes, auto/pedestrian fatalities, deaths of co-workers, marital problems, substance abuse and anger issues, depression, anxiety, grief as a result of loss, and even some expressing suicidal ideations. We proudly continue to uphold our motto:
“In the most critical time of need, they help you. Then, we help them.”
Now, more than ever, our First Responders need Emergency Chaplain Group—the First Responders to the First Responders. And, to do that, we need you.
Like many of you, Emergency Chaplain Group has experienced a loss in financial support due to the pandemic and related lockdowns. Many monthly and annual donors have had to reduce or suspend their contributions due to the hardships they are currently undergoing. We have lost further income due to our having to cancel our in-person resiliency/peer support classes. Additionally, community event fundraisers on our behalf that we usually attend have been canceled.
We are an IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
It requires approximately $30,000 a month for us to continue to fulfill our mission to the 40 First Responder agencies we currently serve, and this is from cutting even further our already lean budget. On July 1, all staff took substantial pay cuts with the hours of some reduced to 20 hours per week. On August 1, we will be forced to give up our leased office space and begin working from our homes.
While this has been quite challenging, we are still working hard to answer every call that comes to us. It is a requirement that all our chaplains have “worn the badge” and served as a First Responder themselves.
You and God have watched over Emergency Chaplain Group for more than 20 years now. The work we do is critical and transformative to our First Responders and their families. The need for our services is only increasing. If you are able, please make a donation, either one-time or monthly, to help us cover our financial losses.
No amount is too small. When you give a little, you help a lot. If you are unable to donate at this time, please take a moment and pray for us and for the First Responders who are also continuing to serve during these challenging times.
Whether or not you are able to assist us financially right now, please advocate for us by sharing our mission with a family member or friend. Mentioning us on your social media would mean so very much to us; our links are below. In times like these we are reminded of how interconnected we all are.
Thank you for being a part of our mission. We simply cannot provide these needed services to our First Responders without you. I am confident that we all will emerge from this challenge triumphant and even stronger than before it all began.
Stay Safe, and thank you in advance for clicking on the
DONATE NOW button below!
