Haiti Relief Effort

 Dear Clergy & Churches of the Kentucky Annual Conference,

As we watch the news coverage of the horrific devastation from the earthquake on the nation of Haiti, I invite you to join me as we respond with our prayers and gifts. United Methodists have a long-standing relationship with Haiti through the Methodist Church of Haiti. The strong ties between the Methodist Church of Haiti and The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) helped in facilitating the opening of the UMCOR Haiti field office in 2005. 

This Sunday please remember the people of Haiti in your prayers and please give your congregations an opportunity to contribute to the UMCOR Advance offering which will provide needed funds for emergency response, relief and recovery. Haiti is one of the most densely populated, least developed and poorest countries in the Western hemisphere. The needs were already great before this disaster and will be even greater now. 

More information and bulletin inserts are available at www.kyumc.org/haitiresponse.  Please send your offering to the Kentucky Conference Treasurer, 7400 Floydsburg Road, Crestwood, KY 40014 and include Advance #418325 on the check.  Online donations can also be made at http://secure.gbgmumc.org/donations/umcor/donate.cfm?code=418325&id=3018760 (this website is experiencing extremely high volume, so if you cannot access the site immediately please continue trying).

Kentucky United Methodists are incredibly generous people, and we have a wonderful opportunity to share the Good News with our brothers and sisters in Haiti!  Remember that 100% of all funds given through the Advance go directly to the designated ministry. 

May God richly bless you as we continue together to serve the risen Christ.

Sincerely,

Bishop Lindsey Davis 

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Haiti Relief Effort

On January 12, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake hit Haiti, devastating the capital city of Port-au-Prince. Millions were affected, and the death toll is expected to be in the thousands. Untold numbers of people were trapped as many buildings collapsed throughout the city. The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is responding to this disaster.

How can I help?

-Pray for everyone impacted by the earthquake and for those involved in disaster response.

-Collect items for Health Kits and send them to Sager Brown. You can find a list of specific items to include in a Health Kit at http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/getconnected/supplies/.

-Make a monetary donation. 100% of money given to the Advance goes directly to the designated ministry.

You may make your donation to the Haiti earthquake response in three ways.

1. Make check payable to your local church, and write “Haiti Emergency” and “Advance #418325” on the check. Put your check in the offering plate or give it to your church treasurer.

2. Donate online at www.umcor.org.

3. Donate by phone using a credit card. The number is (888) 252-6174.

Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the Western hemisphere. Its people are in great need of our help now.

Through UMCOR, we can “Be there. Be hope” for our brothers and sisters in Haiti.

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To Sustain Everyday Life: UMCOR Kits Are Another Way to Give

UMCOR Sager Brown Material Resources Specifications

Kits to Sustain Everyday Life

The following kit is used in places where people do not have ready access to many essential supplies for everyday life. Please follow the directions exactly. Include all items; do not add items that are not on the lists. Extra gifts, though given with the best of intentions, render a kit unusable and must be removed. Note: All items sent must be new!

Health Kit (Updated: 07/11/2005)

Health kits provide basic necessities to people who have been forced to leave their homes because of human conflict or natural disaster. Health kits are also used as learning tools in personal hygiene, literacy, nutrition and cooking classes. When people gain the knowledge and materials to maintain personal hygiene, their overall health improves.

1 hand towel (15″ x 25″ up to 17″ x 27″)

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)

1 large tube of toothpaste (4.5 oz. or larger, expiration date must be 6 months or longer in advance of the date of shipment to UMCOR Sager Brown)

6 adhesive plastic strip sterile bandages

Place these items inside a sealed one-gallon plastic bag.

Value: $12 per kit.

In a separate envelope, please send a check for at least $1 for each kit to help UMCOR Sager Brown with the costs of processing and shipping kits around the world.

Important: Please do not include any religious, political or patriotic notes or emblems in any kit.

Thank you for your donations. You are helping to make a difference in people’s lives. You can download or print this page at http://gbgm-umc.org/umcor/print/kits