Haiti Response
It would be very beneficial and simple if you could donate directly to Collierville United Methodist Church. Simply, make a check out to CUMC and note that it is for the Haiti Disaster Relief. The church will add everyone's donation together and send 100% of the donated money to UMCOR.
Below is a letter from the United Methodist Volunteers in Mission
By now, you have probably heard news about yesterday's massive earthquake in Haiti. UMVIM, SEJ continues to monitor the situation as reports come in.
In times of great disaster, it can be quite difficult to watch from the sidelines. We have spoken with many people asking how they can help. During these initial hours and days, there are two ways in which you can help the people of Haiti.
First, pray for Haiti and for those involved in the rescue efforts. It is our prayer that God's hand is on those searching for survivors, and that God's peace is with those who have lost loved ones.
Second, give generously to Haiti Emergency, UMCOR Advance #418325, the United Methodist Committee on Relief. UMCOR is always among the first on the ground in these situations, and the last to leave. You can donate online at
http://secure.gbgm-umc.org/donations/umcor/donate.cfm?code=418325&id=3018760. Either way you chose to donate, 100% of your donation will be used directly for disaster recovery efforts and humanitarian aid in Haiti.
We are in the process of contacting teams who were scheduled to work in Haiti in the coming days. Please know that while it will be a while before Haiti is ready for regular UMVIM teams, UMCOR is already providing aid to the Haitian people. As the situation continues to develop, we will pass along news at our website,
www.umvim.org.
Volunteers and Health Kits
According to UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief), there will be a great need for volunteers to help rebuild once the initial crisis is past, but it is not safe or possible for volunteers to go to Haiti at the present. However, UMCOR's two relief supply warehouses are asking United Methodists to provide health kits that will be sent to Haiti. Instructions for assembling and shipping health kits are available here (
UMCOR Health Kits).