The UMCOR Hotline

April 3, 2001

Medicine Boxes continue to be needed in many places throughout the world. Current requests have been received from Mexico, Serbia, Mozambique, the Philippines, and Vietnam.

United Methodists have shown great enthusiasm for this project, but there is some confusion over the contents of a Medicine Box, and we need your help to clear it up. Many churches are still using the old Medicine Box Assembly guide--and there are significant differences:

• The financial contribution which must accompany a Medicine Box has risen from $325 to $375. This is to help cover the cost of the prescription medications which are included and shipping the box to its final destination.
• There are also significant changes in the kit items that are gathered by the congregation. The updated list is:
  • 50 Sterile Gauze pads (4x4)
  • 6 Rolls Adhesive Tape ½" or 1" x 10 yds or more
  • 4 tubes Triple Antibiotic Topical Ointment (1 oz. tubes)
  • 1,000 Aspirin tablets (325 mg)
  • 500 Ferrous Sulfate tablets (325 mg)
  • 500 Children's Multivitamins with Iron tablets
  • 500 Adult Multivitamins with Iron tablets
  • 300 Children's Acetaminophen Chewable Tablets (80 mg)

Please order a Medicine Box Assembly Guide for complete instructions. If you are currently assembling a Medicine Box or planning to organize a Medicine Box project, please be sure you have the updated assembly guide. You should see a date on the back of the packet of 10/99. The current information is available on the web: http://gbgm-umc.org/health/medbox/ Or you may order packets from the Service Center, (800) 305-9857, Stock #5367, or from Health and Welfare Ministries by calling (212) 870-3870.

Medicine Boxes are lifesavers and a wonderful mission project-- please help us ensure that the boxes are assembled correctly by sharing this information