THANK YOU for your generous gifts of compassion.  As of Thursday, January 14, 2010, $109,000 had been received in donations for Haiti.  Your generosity has enabled Presbyterian Disaster Assistance to increase the amount of funds sent to Haiti response to $209,000.  PDA has committed to providing at least $500,000 towards the response.

Funds are being used to help with basic humanitarian relief efforts of providing temporary shelter, food and health assistance.  Funds are also being used to provide water and sanitation engineers, and equipment to construct water purification systems. Resources for building latrines are also being provided, as the sanitation situation is critical. PDA will be supporting communities in the long struggle to rebuild from this disaster — the worst earthquake to strike Haiti in 200 years.

As God’s people, we are called to stand in the “GAP”—Give, Act, Pray.

Give — Financial support for relief efforts can be designated to DR000064. Gifts can be made online, by phone at (800) 872-3283, or by check. Gifts by check may be given through your local Presbyterian congregation or mailed to Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), P.O. Box 643700, Pittsburg, PA  15264-3700. Please include the designated giving account number on your check.

Act — Make Gift of the Heart kits. Congregations and individuals can assembly hygiene kits and baby kits. Instructions are on the PDA Web site. Advocate for Temporary Protected Status for Haitians.  Information can be found on the Presbyterian Washington Office Web site. Stay informed. Visit the PDA Web site for answers to frequently asked questions and for resources to aid in discussions.

A reproducible bulletin insert is available for download [pdf] to help in your interpretation and PDA also encourages you to use the hymn "In Haiti, There is Anguish," written by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette.

Pray — You can join with others in lifting up the people of Haiti and those seeking to provide aid in this critical time.