Thursday, January 14, 2010
United Church Launches Emergency Appeal for Haiti
Toronto: The United Church of Canada announced today that it is
launching an emergency appeal asking its congregations for donations
designated for earthquake relief and reconstruction in Haiti.
“People see a need, and have a desire, to reach out as brothers and sisters
in Christ to show compassion to those in dire need,” says The United Church
of Canada’s Moderator, Mardi Tindal. “As one part of God’s world suffers, we
all suffer.”
The United Church’s Haiti Appeal will enable global partners in the region
to address both the need for immediate relief and for long-term
reconstruction following the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti on
Tuesday, January 12, 2010.
Funds raised through this emergency appeal will be channelled through the
United Church’s partners in Haiti and through Action by Churches Together
(ACT), the network of churches and Christian aid agencies that enables
global responses to emergencies.
Members of ACT are already in place in Haiti, assisting those affected by
the earthquake. The United Church’s partners in the region are The Methodist
Church of Haiti and The Karl Lévêque Cultural Institute (ICKL).
“We rejoice at news this morning that ministers of the Methodist Church are
safe,” said Jim Hodgson, the United Church’s program coordinator for the
Caribbean region. “But the same message contained the news that three
visitors from the United Methodist Church in the United States are missing.
Our prayers are with the people of Haiti and with those who work alongside
them in solidarity.”
In addition to launching this emergency appeal, the United Church has also
immediately committed $20,000 for Haitian relief and reconstruction from its
Emergency Response Fund (ERF). The United Church is exploring further
options to respond to the crisis in Haiti in collaboration with other
Canadian churches to take advantage of matching funds from CIDA that may be
offered.
The Emergency Response Fund is used to help alleviate the effects of
humanitarian crises caused by nature, human action, or a combination of
both. The fund is replenished annually from the Mission and Service Fund and
member donations. Fifteen percent of all donations received and intended for
emergency relief, reconstruction, and rehabilitation are deposited into this
fund for use in future emergencies that do not receive intensive media
coverage. The remaining 85 percent of the monies received are directed as
designated by the donor.
It is important to note that unlike many charities, and thanks to regular
donations to the Mission and Service Fund, the United Church is able to
absorb the staffing and administration costs of processing donations
whenever an emergency appeal is launched. Therefore donors can be assured
that there are no administrative charges deducted from donations received.
Individuals are invited to contribute to the United Church’s Haiti Appeal
either through their local congregation or directly to The United Church of
Canada’s national office, 3250 Bloor St. West, Suite 300, Toronto, ON M8X
2Y4. Cheques should be made payable to The United Church of Canada and
marked “Haiti Appeal.” Online donations can be made at www.united-church.ca.
Choose “Emergency Response” and specify “Haiti Appeal.”
Donations made by United Church members and congregations to the Haiti
Appeal are considered “over and above” gifts to the United Church’s wider
work, so they are not recorded as part of a congregation’s Mission and
Service Fund giving. But they are eligible for tax receipts. Congregational
treasurers may receive and receipt individual cheques and then forward one
congregational cheque to the United Church, attention “Haiti Appeal.”
Information about the United Church’s Haiti Appeal has been posted on the
United Church’s website (www.united-church.ca) and will be updated as new
information becomes available.
For more information, please contact:
Mary-Frances Denis
Program Coordinator, Media and Public Relations
The United Church of Canada
Tel: 416-231-7680 ext. 2016
Toll-free: 1-800-268-3781 ext. 2016
E-mail: mdenis@united-church.ca
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