Haiti Lutheran Mission Society joins earthquake-relief efforts

ST. CATHARINES, Ont. – Another Lutheran charity can participate directly in Haitian earthquake-relief efforts.

Rev. John Wilch, chairman of the Haiti Lutheran Mission Society (HLMS), said Monday his organization is a registered charity, has sent aid to the Caribbean nation for 26 years and qualifies for matching earthquake-relief funding through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

“Donations must be earmarked for ‘Haiti earthquake’ and can only be made by individuals,” said Wilch. “HLMS wires funds directly to the Lutheran Church of Haiti so that supplies are purchased there and trucked quickly to the needy.”

To send donations call the HLMS at (905) 688-6211 or (905) 468-3655 or send a cheque to 400 Glenridge Ave., St. Catharines On, L2T 3L2. The HLMS is a listed service organization of Lutheran Church–Canada.

On January 12, Beverley J. Oda, minister of international cooperation, announced the federal government would match up to $50 million individual donations to Canadian charities supporting earthquake relief. The donations must be made from January 12 to February 12. Through CIDA, the federal government will match the funds under the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund.

Meantime, Wilch said the earthquake hit Haitian Lutheran churches hard.
Wilch said he’s received reports that the earthquake destroyed 45 churches, and pastors in affected areas are busy conducting funerals.

The ACT Alliance global network of churches also reported Monday that the country looks like a “war zone,” hundreds of thousands of people are roaming the streets looking for relatives, and one million people are without shelter. Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) is working through the ACT Alliance on earthquake relief.

Print this article