UMCOR Responds to the Earthquake in Haiti
Dear Church,
As you know by now, a major earthquake hit Port-au-Prince, Haiti this week, causing widespread destruction. Millions of people
are affected and many thousands have been killed. There will be a great need for volunteers to help rebuild once the initial crisis
has settled, but at this time it is not safe or possible for volunteers to go to Haiti.
You may have already made a donation for the Haiti relief efforts through one of the many relief agencies currently helping. However,
if you would like to give support through our church, here is some information that will help you be prepared for a generous offering this Sunday.
How to Help
1.Our special offering this Sunday (January 17) will go to support earthquake relief efforts in Haiti through The United Methodist
Committee on Relief (UMCOR.) United Methodists have had a long-standing relationship with Haiti through the Methodist Church of Haiti,
with strong ties between the Methodist Church of Haiti and UMCOR. Since all administrative costs for UMCOR are paid through our
denominational apportionments, 100% of gifts made to this advance will go to help the people of Haiti.
Checks can be made to the church with Advance #418325 Haiti Emergency in the memo line. We will then send the money immediately to UMCOR.
For additional information please go to UMCOR
2.We will also begin collecting Health Kits to send to UMCOR. The kits are an easy & cheap, yet will provide direct relief for folks in Haiti.
The instructions for the kits can be found on the back of this insert. Please follow the instructions closely as there are specific guidelines
that must be followed in order to facilitate entry into other countries. You may bring completed kits to the church office any time this
week, and we will send them out on Jan.25.
Of course, please continue to pray for the people so severely affected in Haiti, and that God will show us how we can most
effectively help in the weeks and months to come.
Yours in Christ,
Bro. Jim
Health Kit
Value: $12 per kit
KIT CONTENTS
Place these items inside a sealed one-gallon plastic bag.
1 hand towel (15” x 25” up to 17” x 27”, no kitchen towels)
1 washcloth
1 comb (large and sturdy, not pocket-sized)
1 nail file or fingernail clippers (no emery boards or toenail clippers)
1 bath-size bar of soap (3 oz. and up)
1 toothbrush (single brushes only in original wrapper, no child-size brushes)
6 adhesive plastic strip sterile bandages
(NOTE: UMCOR Sager Brown is now purchasing toothpaste in bulk to be added to health kits before shipping
to ensure that the product does not expire before it is sent. Please include $1 for each kit you send toward
the purchase of toothpaste.)
Important Kit Assembly Information
All items included in kits must be NEW items. All emergency kits are carefully planned to make them usable in
the greatest number of situations. Since strict rules often govern product entry into international countries,
it is important that kits contain only the requested items—nothing more. Do NOT include any personal notes, money
or additional materials in the kits. These things must be painstakingly removed and will delay the shipment.
