The Church Continues to Respond
As of March 19, 2010, and more than two months after the January 12 earthquake that devastated Haiti, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), continues to receive gifts from churches, individuals, and organizations to support the people in Haiti. The Hoosier United Methodists gave $455,684 for Haiti earthquake relief and recovery during the months of January and February.
Indiana United Methodist Bishop Mike Coyner said, “I am very proud but not surprised by this generous response. Our Indiana United Methodist people are generous and passionate about missions and helping those in need. I thank God for these gifts.” $15 million has been received for UMCOR Haiti Relief.
UMCOR is implementing a five-year work plan that contemplates three phases of assistance to Haiti: emergency, recovery, and rehabilitation.
- 23,520 Health Kits were transported via free shipping to Catholic partners in Haiti.
- UMCOR has hired a Head of Mission for the office in Haiti and has hired a Haiti Desk Officer to work in the New York City headquarters office. The local staff in Haiti now includes: 2 drivers, 1 office manager, 1 administrative assistant, 1 logistics assistant, and 1 program officer.
- UMCOR Health met with a dozen longtime partners in the field of health in Haiti to begin to address the need for a long-term health strategy in post-earthquake Haiti. The priorities they identified include the development of a comprehensive, integrated health strategy in which the represented agencies, US-based Methodist hospitals, United Methodist volunteers, and UMCOR would participate.
- United Methodist Volunteers in Missions (UMVIM) Jurisdictional Coordinators met with UMCOR following a successful reconnaissance trip to Haiti. They proposed an ambitious three-year proposal to facilitate the work of volunteer teams for projects identified as priority by the Methodist Church in Haiti.
- Layette kits and birthing kits, equipped for mothers and infants, are in great demand as Haitians begin to rebuild their lives. Please consider assembling layette kits and birthing kits to address the basic needs of babies born in displaced persons camps in Haiti. Contact your conference or district office to find out if a designated drop-off point has been established for a cost effective way to transport your supplies to either of the two UMCOR depots.
Please continue to be in prayer with the people of Haiti as they grieve their losses and strive to meet their day to day needs. (from www.gbgm-umc.org Haiti News Update)
How You Can Help
Gifts to Haiti can be made by placing your gift in the offering plate at church (the check needs to be made out to St. Mark’s) or online by visiting www.umcorhaiti.org. For gifts by mail, please make checks payable to UMCOR and mail to UMCOR, P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY 10087. Be sure to indicate Haiti Emergency, UMCOR Advance #418325 on the memo line of your check. One hundred percent of gifts made to this advance will go to help the people of Haiti.
Tax Relief
A new law allows contributors to Haiti relief efforts to claim their cash donations on their 2009 tax returns, according to the Internal Revenue Service. The law, enacted January 22, refers to donations for Haiti relief made to charitable organizations such as UMCOR after January 11 and before March 1, 2010, whether these were made via text message, check, credit card or debit card. Taxpayers may make the deduction on either their 2009 or 2010 returns, but not both. Please visit IRS.gov for more details.
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