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“We are working with our partners on the ground to provide immediate relief to the people in Haiti,” says Melissa Crutchfield, UMCOR’s international disaster response executive. “UMCOR is coordinating with the Methodist Church of Haiti to send a team to assist with relief efforts.”
In the short term, UMCOR is responding to basic needs for food and shelter. In the weeks, months and years ahead, UMCOR will stay to provide for those who are homeless, injured, and bereft. UMCOR is working with partners, Action by Churches Together, Church World Service, Global Medic and the Methodist Church to respond effectively to the people of Haiti after this devastating earthquake shook the nation’s capital, Port-au-Prince on Jan. 12. Haiti is often referred to as "the poorest of the poor." 100 percent of your donation will go to help the people of Haiti.
United Methodists throughout Michigan are also working in partnership to provide relief for the people of Haiti by financially supporting the UMCOR appeal (#418325) and by getting prepared for shipment of needed items requested by UMCOR and the Methodist Church in Haiti.
WORKING TOGETHER FOR A BRIGHTER TOMORROW IN HAITI
1. Working together to provide financial assistance for the first responders through UMCOR and their colleague organizations to provide immediate help for the victims of this tragedy.
2. Mobilizing our resources to provide need items for Haiti that will be shipped when the country and the Methodist Church of Haiti is able and ready to receive sea containers. We want to be ready with supplies when the time comes to send them directly to the Methodist Church of Haiti at their depot located on the Frere Campus in Petionville. Need items can be delivered to the following:
WEST MICHIGAN LOCATIONS DETROIT LOCATIONS
Collection Locations across the state or at the main warehouse in Grand Rapids, 446 Grandville Avenue SW, Loading Dock 6, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503, Contact: Kim Sorrelle; (616) 318-7378 -- Monday – Friday 9:00am –- 5:00pm - Saturday – 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Information About Shipment of Needed Supplies for Haiti
aSuggested cost of $8.00 per cubic foot of supplies – Checks, marked “Haiti Shipping” payable to Conference Treasurer
aPrefer that items from collection locations be packed in 18 gallon rubber tubs
aVolunteers needed to help deliver supplies from collection locations to the central warehouse in Grand Rapids and volunteers to sort and pack items at the warehouse for shipment in the containers.
aInformation available by calling the warehouse volunteer Kim Sorrelle or Rev. Paul Doherty – (269) 449-6559; email – haititaskforce@sbcglobal.net
3. Training for Volunteer in Mission persons and teams to help with construction and work projects of the Methodist Church in Haiti. Several schools, churches and other facilities of the Haitian church have been destroyed. Rev. David Morton [VIM Coordinator for Haiti] will be providing more information about training and construction teams that will be ready and prepared to go to Haiti when requested by the Haitian Methodist Church. David’s blog -"United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) in Haiti."
During this time when attention is given to the devastated area of Haiti, the Michigan Area Haiti Task Force wants to remind everyone that the work of serving continues in Haiti. The majority of all the schools are open and this is a most difficult time for the children outside the earthquake area to get food because of the devastation in Port-au-Prince. The school hot lunch program continues to provide a mid-morning hot lunch for thousands of children and our support of that program faces a definite crisis. The cost and the lack of food items in Haiti are escalating.
The Michigan Area Haiti Task Force has sent $ 4,000.00 to the Haitian Methodist Church to provide immediate food and other assistance to the 43 children at the home.
We appreciate the continued support and prayers for our partnership ministry in Haiti. The journey to bring relief to this country is going to be long, hard, and definitely calling for sacrifice and generosity of support. Thank you for your prayers, volunteer service, and compassionate financial help. There will come a Brighter Day for Haiti. Thank you Jesus.
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