(Jan. 8, 2007) — Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) has announced the start of the 2007 winter orientation unit, to be held Jan. 28-Feb. 16 at Camp Ithiel in Gotha, Fla. This orientation will be the 273th unit for BVS, and will include 16 volunteers from across the US and Germany.
Several Church of the Brethren members will attend. The remaining volunteers come from varied faith backgrounds, “adding a healthy diversity to the group’s orientation experience,” said a report from Hannah Kliewer of the BVS office in Elgin, Ill.
A highlight of the three week training experience will be a weekend immersion in the Brethren Haitian community in Miami and Orlando, Fla. In both areas, the new volunteers will have the opportunity to work at area food banks, nature preserves, nonprofit organizations, and Habitat for Humanity. The group also will have a chance to work at Camp Ithiel for a day.
A BVS potluck is open to all those who are interested on Feb. 4 at 5:30 p.m. at Camp Ithiel. “Please feel free to come and welcome the new BVS volunteers and to share your own experiences,” Kliewer said.
“As always your thoughts and prayers are welcome and needed,” she added. “Please remember this new unit and the people they will touch during their year of service through BVS.”
For more information contact the BVS office at 800-323-8039 ext. 423.