Haiti Disaster Relief

Ways to Help NOW: Donate Money Contribute Health Kits

God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.
Psalm 46:1-2 (NIV)

In these times of trouble we cling to our God who gives us both safety and strength for the days ahead. We come together to create safe spaces for those who mourn deep losses, encourage one another and gather strength for a new day.

News Updates:

  
United Methodist Response Begins
Tragedy struck the already-beleaguered nation of Haiti on January 12. The magnitude-7 earthquake effectively flattened the capital city of Port-au-Prince, affecting an estimated 3 million people and killing untold tens of thousands.

The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is already responding. “UMCOR has always had a strong presence in Haiti,” UMCOR executive Tom Hazelwood said. “With this tragedy, we’ll just be redoubling our efforts, and we’ll be calling on people across the country to help us.”

Give Generously
Give through your local church. Checks should be made payable to St Matthew’s with Haiti Relief – 2010 in the memo line. 100% of your gift will go to help the people of Haiti.

Contribute Health Kits
UMCOR is shipping health kits to provide basic necessities to people who have lost everything.  The kits have proved very useful in many disaster situations over a long period, most recently in support of Katrina victims.  See Instructions for purchasing and assembling the kits.  

Health Kits may be placed in specially marked containers, 9 am-3 pm, Mondays-Fridays and Sundays, January 19 through March 21, at St. Matthew’s UMC, 14900 Annapolis Road, Bowie, MD 20715.  Receipts will be available to all donors and are tax deductible.  

Contact the Disaster Response Program Director Dan Blades at  drtblades@comcast.net with any questions.  An article has been sent out for publication in area newspapers and organization newsletters.

You may instead give a monetary donation for Health Kits, make check payable to St. Matthew’s UMC with (Haiti Relief Kit on the Memo line).  One kit is $14.00 total and includes toothpaste and shipping costs.

Prepare to Volunteer
There will be a great need for volunteers to help rebuild. Currently, it is not safe or possible for volunteers to go to Haiti. Those wishing to volunteer should sign up on the clip board in the tower of opportunity. More information will be available soon.