Within 24 hours of issuing an emergency appeal for funds to assist with humanitarian aid to assist the people of Haiti, supporters of Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR), including the members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC), have graciously donated close to $33,000.
Port au Prince, the capital of Haiti, was hit by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake on January 12. Over 100,000 people are estimated to have perished and tens of thousands of people have lost their homes. The city is without electricity and the telephone network is down.
In a statement released yesterday, ELCIC National Bishop Susan C. Johnson asked members of the church to pray for all who are affected by the devastation and to assist with emergency efforts through their financial support of the CLWR appeal.
"I am grateful that the members of our church have responded with such compassion," says Bishop Johnson. "The need in the region is great and ongoing. I urge the members of our church to not only consider assisting with immediate relief efforts but also to consider how their financial contributions will assist with the long-term rebuilding efforts that will be so greatly needed following this tragedy."
This morning, the Canadian government announced that $50 million will be set aside to match donations made by individual Canadians to humanitarian agencies. The government has indicated that agencies may apply for matching funds but has not offered guarantees that all applications will be approved. To be eligible for matching funds, donations must be received by February 12, 2010.
The Government of Manitoba has allocated $100,000 to a matching fund program for members of the Manitoba Centre for International Cooperation (MCIC). CLWR is a member of MCIC.
CLWR is applying for matching funds to both the federal and Manitoba government programs.
Contributions to the Haiti appeal may be made in the following ways:
1. Online at www.clwr.org/donate. In the process of completing the form, you will come across a pull-down menu that allows you to designate a specific project. Choose Haiti Earthquake.
2. By calling CLWR’s toll-free number: 1.800.661.2597. If you do not need to use a toll-free line or are calling locally from the Winnipeg area, you can reach CLWR at 204.694.5602.
3. By sending a cheque made payable to CLWR to: CLWR, 302-393 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3B 3H6. Please indicate in your correspondence that you wish to contribute to
the Haiti Earthquake Appeal.
4. Through ELCIC congregations by giving an offering designated to the Haiti Earthquake appeal.
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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada is Canada’s largest Lutheran denomination with 162,100 baptized members in 611 congregations. It is a member of the Lutheran World Federation, the Canadian Council of Churches and the World Council of Churches.
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For more information, please contact:
Trina Gallop, Director of Communications
302-393 Portage Ave. Winnipeg MB R3B 3H6
204.984.9172
tgallop@elcic.ca
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