Hundreds of volunteers help Christchurch shooting victims and families
Hundreds of volunteers help Christchurch shooting victims and families
Apr 02 2019
"Parker is one of the hundreds of volunteers – many coming from overseas – who have been working long hours to support those affected by the March 15 tragedy. The Muslim community identified what needed to be done and coordinated helpers.
Widows and their children left without a driver's licence needed car rides for them and visiting families, people by the side of injured loved ones at hospital needed meals, and family members on temporary visas needed immigration lawyers.
As families arrived from overseas to support the injured and the ones grieving the dead, Parker was asked to source warm clothing and toys for them. …
The team delivers the Halal meals twice a day – vegetarian curries, fruit crumbles, meatballs, vegetable pies, banana muffins – to Christchurch Hospital. Three experienced chefs supervise the food to make sure it is meeting protocols and food hygiene. Parker gets referrals through the MAC: They tell her when someone isn't coping and what's needed, be it a care package or a meal. ...
"A lot of money is coming in but you can't touch, taste or feel money. You don't get that instant feeling of warmth in your heart." …
She was overcome with emotion as she described what families needed. Widows with young children who could not drive or speak English well were in most need of help. As part of the mourning period, some widows stay in their house for four months and only leave if absolutely necessary.
Galal estimated there were more than a thousand volunteers on the ground"
