WRHM COVID-19 UPDATES

November 24th Update

On Tuesday, November 24th, a volunteer at WRHM confirmed that they have tested positive for COVID-19. To ensure the safety or our clients, volunteers and staff, WRHM will be closed through December 7th. Since services are being provided curbside, we do not believe any clients have been exposed. Volunteers that may have been exposed are being notified.

We expect our Christmas program to proceed as planned.

September 21st Update

Beginning September 22nd, our office hours will change. We will no longer be open on Mondays. Office hours for Tuesday through Friday will remain 9:00 am until 12:00 pm. All services will continue to be provided curbside. We hope this does not cause inconvenience.

August 10th Update

We are happy to announce that WRHM will resume curbside services and KWRH-LP will reopen with limited access on Monday, August 10th at 9:00 am. This follows a professional cleaning of the entire facility, including anti-virus fogging and a detailed surface cleaning of all areas. Please click here to see directions for accessing curbside services.

July 20th Update

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

On July 18, 2020, WRHM Executive Director Ed Johnson was notified that a member of the KWRH-LP radio station staff was exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19. This staff member has been in our facilities and in contact with staff members and volunteers. Our first priority is the safety of our clients, campers, staff members and volunteers. Thus, Executive Director Johnson has suspended radio station operations and the on-site summer camp immediately. WRHM facilities will be closed until we can ensure the safety of our clients, campers, staff members and volunteers. This includes testing of staff members and a thorough cleaning of all facilities. We will update you when we reopen.

Thank you for your continued support of WRHM.

July 8th Update

Dear Supporters of WRHM,

We hope this message finds you well. We have a few updates for you as we enter the heart (and heat) of summer.

Summer camp is under way in a new format. We have done our best to adapt to the ways that the pandemic has limited how we can safely host summer camp. For us, that means a smaller in-person camp held at WRHM and Ivory Crockett Park as well as a virtual option co-hosted with Webster University. Our 10-student on site camp is fully enrolled and we are building enrollment in our 15-student virtual camp each week. We would be grateful for your support in sponsoring a camper.  Donations may be made by visiting http://wrhm.org/help-us/.

We have paused in-kind donations as we seek to find the best way to move them back to our location on Waymire from the off-site collections at local churches. We are being very cautious about visitors to the WRHM building since we now have campers on site. Thanks to the generosity of our community, we have enough supplies to last while we coordinate this transition.

We continue to pray for strength, patience and good health for you and our entire community.

Gratefully,

WRHM

June 22nd Update

Thank you for your continued support of the clients and volunteers of WRHM. As we continue to adapt to these changing times, we have adjusted our in-kind donation drop off sites and hours. These drop off times are:

Webster Groves Christian Church
(1320 W. Lockwood)
Fridays from 10:00am—2:00pm

Webster United Methodist Church
(600 N. Bompart)
Mondays & Wednesdays from 11:00a-1:00p
for the remainder of June only.

May 29th Update

Important note for donors: For the month of June, volunteers will be accepting in-kind donations at Webster United Methodist Church, 600 N. Bompart from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm.

Please remember that donation collection at Webster Groves Christian Church (WGCC) will not be available next week (June 2nd, 4th and 5th). Drop off at WGGC will resume June 9th. We remain grateful for the generosity and support of our community.

May 18, 2020 Update

Dear Supporters of Webster-Rock Hill Ministries,

Personal hygiene items include soap, deodorant, hair care products, diapers, wipes, adult incontinence products, facial tissue, feminine hygiene products, first aid supplies, mouthwash, toilet paper, toothbrushes and toothpaste.

We hope this message finds you well. We know that the extended time staying at home is challenging for the mind, body and soul. We continue to pray for strength, patience and good health for you and our entire community.

We remain very grateful for your continued support. Our needs remain consistent shelf stable food items, including meat, fruits and vegetables and personal hygiene products. These personal hygiene products are especially important because our Girl Scout partners were unable to do their annual April Showers hygiene drive. That collection provides us with a months long supply of items for our clients that we are now without.

The health and safety of our clients remains a paramount concern. Thus, WRHM has been distributing mask and glove kits to clients. Well over 50 kits have gone out already. The Alliance for Interracial Dignity, led in this project by Farrell Carfield, coordinated with PrepareSTL, Adelaide Lancaster, Webster Groves Christian Church, Webster Groves Presbyterian Church, and some anonymous mask makers to make these kits available. Thanks to the Masked Mammas, led by Amy Tappmeyer Whisler and Heidi Bolzenius, we will receive an additional 60 masks this week for more kits. We are very grateful for these efforts and the care for our clients that they represent.

Please remember that all in-kind donations are being received at Webster Groves Christian Church at 1320 W. Lockwood, 63122 (located on the south side of West Lockwood, just west of Berry Road).  Volunteers will unload and receive your donations and provide you with an acknowledgement of your donation. You can find more details here.

Thankfully,

Ed Johnson, Executive Director

Reverend Jeff Moore, Board Chairperson

April 28, 2020 Update

Dear Webster Rock Hill Ministries Supporters and Clients,

As we enter another week of meeting the challenges of this pandemic, we are so very grateful for our community. Your generosity and thoughtfulness are healing balms.

We appreciate how you continue to come through for the neediest in our community. How generous are you? You have donated over 1000 shelf stable food items to help sustain our families. These items range from staples such as peanut butter, canned meats and pasta to fruits and vegetables. There even have been some treats for our kids. In addition, you have donated over 400 rolls of toilet paper, almost 200 units of soap or hand sanitizer as well as masks for clients and additional personal hygiene and cleaning products. We will keep you up to date on our needs. For the time being, they remain consistent: shelf stable food items, including meat, fruits and vegetables and personal hygiene products.

We also appreciate the monetary gifts that have been generously given. We are grateful for the increased number of donations and especially for those of you who have made recurring gifts to support our efforts. You can learn more about how to do this at our Help Us page (http://wrhm.org/help-us/).

We continue to pray that you are well and coping with the challenges of these times. May we all be granted the patience we need and find comfort in our faith.

Thankfully,

Ed Johnson, Executive Director

Mary Taylor, Board Chairperson

April 17, 2020 Update

Dear Supporters of Webster-Rock Hill Ministries,

We are very grateful for the continued support of WRHM by our community. We appreciate all you are doing so that we may continue to serve those in need in our community. Your donations, your prayers and your good wishes are propelling us forward.


In addition to the items listed in this update, we are currently in need of washable cloth face masks and a non-contact thermometer. We appreciate your help in protecting the health of our clients, volunteers and staff.

As we seek to meet this greater need, we are especially grateful for our front-line volunteers who continue to provide emergency assistance with love and kindness. We are grateful to the leadership and staff at KWRH (92.9 FM) who have kept the station on the air. Thank you also to our volunteers who have kept moving the Elder Home Repair program forward.

We miss the children of our after-school tutoring and chess programs. Thanks to our tutoring program leadership, our children and youth have been fortified with snacks, school supplies and an Easter Basket as they work at home for the remainder of the school year. We look forward to resuming tutoring and chess in the fall.

We remain open Monday through Friday and on the second Saturday of the month from 9:00 to noon with curbside service that provides emergency food and hygiene items. Instructions for clients using our curbside service can be found here.

We continue to need your support. To make a financial contribution, visit our Help Us page. For those wishing to donate toilet paper, personal hygiene items, hand soap and hand sanitizer, canned meat and vegetables, and dry food items, please see our instructions for donors link here. We are also currently in need of washable cloth face masks and a non-contact thermometer. We appreciate your help in protecting the health of our clients, volunteers and staff.

We pray that you are well and coping with the challenges of our changed circumstances. Thank you again for all you do to strengthen our community.

Thankfully,

Ed Johnson, Executive Director

Mary Taylor, Board Chairperson

March 25, 2020 Update

Dear Supporters of Webster-Rock Hill Ministries,

We pray that you are well, and that you are finding safe and healthy ways to adjust to our new reality as we all respond to the Covid-19 crisis.  Thank you for your care and support of the programs and services of WRHM!  Together we all make a difference in the lives of many members of our community.

Because WRHM has increased need for specific items, as well as increased client requests at this time, we are instituting a new procedure for in-kind donations.  Beginning Friday, March 27, 2020, we are asking that all In-Kind Donations (see list below) be brought to Webster Groves Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 1320 W. Lockwood, 63122.  Webster Groves Christian Church is located on the south side of West Lockwood, just west of Berry Road.  Enter the church parking lot from the east and follow signs and directions from volunteers.  Donors are asked to remain in their cars.  Volunteers will unload and receive your donations and provide you with an acknowledgement of your donation.

In-Kind donations will be accepted at the following times:

Tuesdays between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM

Thursdays between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM

Fridays between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM

We are not currently accepting in-kind donations at our Waymire location.

Urgently Needed Items include:

Toilet Paper
Personal hygiene items
Hand soap and hand sanitizer
Canned meat and vegetables
Dry food items

As always, we continue to need and appreciate monetary contributions.  Please give when you drop off your in-kind donations at Webster Groves Christian Church or give online at Help Us.

Thank you for all you do to help strengthen our community!

Stay well.

Ed Johnson, Executive Director                                                           

Mary Taylor, Board Chairperson

March 23, 2020 Update

WRHM Family and Friends,

WRHM is working to serve our client families, while doing our best to adapt to the rapidly changing circumstances in our community due to the COVID-19/Coronavirus pandemic. Please know that we are focused on doing what is in the best interest of our clients, volunteers, staff and community.

We are adjusting our practices to reduce personal contact, limit the number of people in our building and practice social distancing. This includes new procedures for our clients and donors, which are outlined below.

In addition to social distancing, we are following the other recommendations of the CDC, which include thorough, regular hand washing, continually sanitizing our workspaces and common areas and telling anyone who is feeling ill to stay home.

We have asked volunteers in higher-risk categories (the elderly and immunocompromised) to refrain from coming in at this time.  We are grateful for their commitment to WRHM and appreciate that self-care is of community benefit as well. We are grateful for the many volunteers who continue to keep operations running and for the community that supports us.

Many of you are asking how to help. Cash donations give us flexibility to purchase what we need right now. Click here to give online. Our list of urgent needs is below and will be updated regularly. There are also instructions for pick up in the 63119 vicinity.

Please read on below for client and donor instructions. You may also keep up to date by following our Facebook page.

Thank you for your support.

Ed Johnson

Executive Director

Items Urgently Needed

  • toilet paper
  • personal hygiene items
  • hand soap and hand sanitizer
  • canned meat and vegetables
  • dry food items
  • grocery/drug store gift cards
  • toilet paper
  • personal hygiene items
  • hand soap and hand sanitizer
  • canned meat and vegetables
  • dry food items
  • grocery/drug store gift cards

Because of the ministries’ limited hours of operation and our desire to protect everyone’s health, we are working to arrange a “pick up” team.  You can send an email to marybufe@gmail.com, leave it on your porch or other designated spot, and we’ll have someone pick it up.

Alternately, you can drop these items in the parking lot of WRHM at 111 E. Waymire on Monday through Friday from 9:00am to noon. There will be a designated drop off location or you can call (314) 961-5082 for pick up from your car.

Instructions for Clients

We will continue to provide client services as long as we are able. In order to minimize contact, we will provide curbside services whenever possible. In the rare instance that it is impossible to arrive at WRHM by car, please see the walk-up directions below. If you have questions, please call ahead at 314-961-5082.

CURBSIDE SERVICES. If you have arrived at WRHM by vehicle, remain in your vehicle and call the main WRHM phone at 314-961-5082 on your cell phone. Our receptionist will take your name and your cell phone number. A client services volunteer will call you on your cell phone and will take your order over the phone from your vehicle. We will fill your order and place it outside on the table near the Ministries’ front door. If it is raining, we will bring your order to your car and place it in your vehicle’s trunk. Please be patient as we work to serve clients.

WALK-UP SERVICES. If have arrived at WRHM by foot, please come to the Ministries’ front door and ring the doorbell. You will be invited in to wait in the waiting room if you agree to: (a) wear a mask that we will give to you; (b) sanitize your hands with hand sanitizer provided to you; and (c) wear plastic gloves that will be provided to you. A volunteer will come to the waiting room and provide information to you about the safest place for meeting to serve your needs. Do not enter the volunteer cubicle area unless you are directed to do so.

Instructions for Donors

Many of you are asking how to help. Cash donations give us flexibility to purchase what we need right now. Click here to give online.

Our list of urgent needs is above and will be updated regularly. Because of the ministries’ limited hours of operation and our desire to protect everyone’s health, we are working to arrange a “pick up” team.  You can an email to marybufe@gmail.com, leave it on your porch or other designated spot, and we’ll have someone pick it up.

Alternately, you can drop these items in the parking lot of WRHM at 111 E. Waymire on Monday through Friday from 9:00am to noon. There will be a designated drop off location or you can call (314) 961-5082 for pick up from your car.

March 22, 2020 Update

URGENT REQUEST FOR HELP!

Back in December, many of you jumped into immediate action to help a large number of local families served by Webster-Rock Hill Ministries who had not been adopted for Christmas.  Your generosity then was overwhelming.  I’m back today, asking for your help again. 

As you might guess, the needs of local families served by WRHM are multiplied by this pandemic. Our food panty shelves and emergency funds are being emptied much more rapidly than normal.

Here are two immediate ways you can help:

  1. The fastest, easiest and safest way is to make a donation online at: http://wrhm.org/help-us/.  The kindest gift of all would be to sign up for an automatic monthly donation of $5, $10, $20, $50 or more that can help sustain us during the coming months.
  2. If you stocked up on some items, perhaps you might be willing to share some with those in need.  WRHM is urgently in need of the following items:
    • toilet paper
    • personal hygiene items
    • hand soap and hand sanitizer
    • canned meat and vegetables
    • dry food items
    • grocery/drug store gift cards

Because of the ministries’ limited hours of operation and our desire to protect everyone’s health, we are working to arrange a “pick up” team.  You can simply message me or send me an email at marybufe@gmail.com, leave it on your porch or other designated spot, and we’ll have someone pick it up TODAY.

Alternately, you can drop these items in the parking lot of WRHM at 111 E. Waymire on Monday, March 23 from 9 to noon.   (OTHER DATES)

Thank you again for your help.  Helping others makes us all feel better and more connected.  I invite you to join in our effort to keep Webster and Rock Hill healthy and strong.

P.S.  If you know a family in need, WRHM is here for them.  The phone number is 314-961-5082.  Leave a message, if necessary, and someone will get back to you as soon as possible. Watch this space for more information in changes in hours and services.