The Haitian people still need our help, and several local congregations — members of the Northshore Interfaith Council — are working hard to provide needed supplies and financial donations.
Bear Creek United Methodist Church recently assembled 125 health kits. These supplies will help the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) contribute resources to the relief efforts in Haiti where they already have a relationship having worked in the area for many years. Bothell United Methodist recently raised $4,800 in contributions for UMCOR. Working with various partners — Action by Churches Together, Church World Service, Global Medic and the Methodist Church — UMCOR is channeling its resources to respond more effectively to the neediest people. According to Pastor Dave Orendorff, UMCOR works in three phases: (1) Immediate aid to victims, (2) transitional aid such as housing, water, food, health kits, etc. and (3) long-term re-establishment of normal living conditions.
Local members of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Church made an offering of over $4,000 for the victims of Haiti which will go to Catholic Relief Services for water, food, clothing, books and shelters.
One-hundred members in the Woodinville Third Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints assembled and donated 1,000 hygiene kits for relief efforts. In addition, young women ages 16, 17 and 18 made fleece and flannel blankets for insertion in infant kits, which also include diapers and newborn gowns. Bishop Steven Bramwell stated that his congregation has put together hygiene kits semi-annually for the past several years, but “because of the terrible situation in Haiti, we moved up our normal time to do this in order to provide more needed resources to the church in its organized response to Haiti.” The hygiene kits contain towels, soap, combs, toothbrushes and toothpaste and will be sent to Haiti, as well as other parts of the world.
The efforts of these congregations are much appreciated and demonstrate the care and commitment of the faith community in the Northshore area.
Barb Fitzgerald
