Even though North Dakota is a long ways
from Haiti, there are things we can do as individuals, families, employees,
congregations, and community members. The biggest need right now is
financial donations and prayers. Here are a few ideas of collecting funds for
Haiti.
Individuals and families:
- Spare Change - empty your
pockets each night and put the spare change in a container to contribute
- Forego the treats - coffee at
the store, candy, movie, eating out, pop, etc - put that money away to
contribute
- Random acts of PAID kindness -
shoveling walks, grocery shopping for elderly neighbor, babysitting, etc
- Grandma Challenge - challenge
other grandmothers to have their grandchildren do chores for money
- Donate your allowance
- Penny wars between siblings or
family members - include extended family as well
Employees:
- Baskets of candy for freewill
donation
- Penny jar in office to collect
change
- Jeans Day donations to Haiti
- Challenges between offices
Congregations and community members:
- Silent Auctions
- Rummage Sales
- Meals - pancake, spaghetti,
soup, chili
- Designate offerings for Haiti
- Freewill collections
- Community donation center for
financial donations
- No-Bake bake sale - donate the
$$ of ingredients and time instead of baking and selling products
- Walk-a-thons, Dance-a-thons, etc
The devastation will take years to clear
and rebuild homes and lives. The need for volunteers for rebuild will
be immense - begin the preparations now, seeking who is sponsoring trips,
what is needed (shots, passports, tools), cost and when accommodations for
volunteers will be in place.
As the need unfolds, there will be
requests to collect certain items. It is vital that you collect ONLY
was is asked for - or unneeded items could add to the disaster problems.
For example, Lutheran World Relief accepts on a regular basis layettes,
school kits, health kits so these can be organized and collected now for the
May pickup.
Where should financial donations be
sent? There are many organizations asking for financial
contributions for Haiti. Some are more reputable than others so do
your research first. Lutheran Disaster Response ND is collecting
financial donations that will be sent 100% on to our national affiliates.
Here are some options:
Lutheran Disaster Response ND, 1720
North 3rd Avenue, Fargo ND 58102 or online at
www.lssnd.org
Lutheran Church Missouri Synod - World
Relief and Human Care, 1333 S Kirkwood Road, St Louis MO 63122-7295 or
online at
www.lcms.org/ca/worldrelief
ELCA Churchwide Organization, Haiti
Relief, 8765 W Higgins Road, Chicago IL 60631 or online at
www.elca.org
THRIVENT will match $1 for every $2
donated up to $1 million by March 31st, 2010 through:
- Lutheran World Relief
- ELCA Disaster Response
- LCMS World Relief/Human Care
- WELS Committee on Relief
Contact Thrivent at 1-800-236-3736 or
online at www.Thrivent.com/helpinghaiti
Are donations tax deductible? According to
the IRS, here's what your financial contribution
to Haiti looks like... [click
here]
