Prayers and Financial Gifts for Relief and Rebuilding in Haiti

Our hearts and prayers go out to the people of Haiti in the aftermath of the major earthquake and subsequent earthquakes of the last few days.  Though communication is still limited, the initial reports show massive destruction and a tremendous loss of life.

Many are already asking “How can we help?”  We can help in at least two ways.  One, by holding the people of Haiti in our hearts and prayers.  The second is by giving financial gifts for Relief.  Thankfully, financial relief and emergency supplies are already on their way from our Presbyterian Church.

Every year during Lent we receive our One Great Hour of Sharing Offering.  One of the three portions of the half of our offering that goes to our national Presbyterian Church is for Emergency Disaster Assistance.  So a portion of our offering that was given last year during Lent is already on the way to assist the people of Haiti.

However, in light of the massive destruction and urgent need of this small, impoverished nation, if you wish to give additional gifts for financial relief, you can do so through our church.  Make your check payable to WHPC (West Hollywood Presbyterian Church) and in the Memo line mark it “HAITI RELIEF.”  Your gift will be given through Presbyterian Emergency and Disaster Assistance.

One of the great benefits of giving through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is that almost all of your gift goes directly to relief.  Only a very small portion (usually about 3%) is used for administration.  Also Presbyterian Disaster Assistance gets money most directly to people.  We partner with area Council of Churches and individual churches to distribute funds and emergency supplies to the people who are most in need.

Additionally, one of the great benefits of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is we stay with people, helping them both rebuild their homes and their lives, for years.  The emotional and spiritual devastation that people, churches and communities face in the midst of such a disaster are immense, and it takes time to help people heal and rebuild.

So, let us keep the people of Haiti in our prayers and if you wish to give, you may do so through our church.

God Bless,  Dan

This entry was posted on Thursday, January 14th, 2010 at 1:15 am and is filed under Special Events. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.