Local organizations ready Haiti help efforts
With the news a 7.0 magnitude earthquake has devastated the island nation of Haiti, relief and rescue groups are springing into action to lend a hand.
In Granville, St. Mary’s Church and the Rotary are stepping up to collect much-needed cash donations.
The Granville Rotary Club will be providing the opportunity for citizens or community groups to drop off donations during the club’s third annual Trivia Night fundraiser on Saturday night.
Those who wish to make a donation can stop at the Forum after 7 p.m. and make a donation that will go strictly to Haitian relief efforts, apart from the Trivia Night fundraiser work.
Rotarians have also decided to donate a portion of the money raised from the Saturday, Jan. 23, fundraiser to the relief efforts.
Just a block away from the Forum, the Rev. Tom Zelker from St. Mary’s Catholic Church said another way local residents can help the Haitian earthquake victims is by making donations at the Bulkley Avenue rectory next door to the church. People can phone the rectory at 642-1262.
Zelker said the church will be conducting a collection during Mass but will also be accepting donations that will be sent to Catholic Charities.
Zelker said 100 percent of every dollar donated goes directly to the Catholic relief organization.
Donations can be brought to the rectory or mailed to: Catholic Charities, 40 N. Main Ave., Albany N.Y. 12203, or people can visit www.crs.org or call 888-277-7575. Checks should be made out to Catholic Relief Services.
Zelker said the church will continue to take donations in and send them on periodically; there is no deadline for contributing.
In Wells, Vt., people can leave donations for Haiti earthquake relief at the Wells Country Store and other local businesses. All of the money will go directly the Methodist Church Mission work in Haiti.
Organizers say people at the church mission in Haiti have been working for years there and know how to help, and local church members will make sure any donated money gets to the mission.
