HAITI RELIEF

A major earthquake devastated Haiti on Jan. 12 and over 200,000 people lost their lives. Countless thousands more were left injured or without shelter, food or water. With airport and harbor facilities dysfunctional, many major relief agencies, flush with cash donations, were at first immobilized from providing much assistance.

One upstart humanitarian organization rose to the challenge, partnering with the Air Force, UPS, sea-going vessels and anywho would listen. Amazing many, in one month Water Missions International, a faith-based (non-sectarian) organization using mostly volunteers, had manufactured, shipped to Haiti and installed 60 Living Water Treatment Systems and 40 Erosion Chlorinators with a combined capacity to produce a million gallons of safe water each day at hospitals, medical clinics and refugee clusters. Donations to Water Missions in that first month totaled $1.5 M dollars, all of it used to help relieve a potable water emergency in Haiti. And WMI has pledged to provide ongoing clean water facilities in Haiti. Our congregation, recognizing an obvious need for clean water, directed $3,000 of Haiti donations to WMI's extraordinary response.

Moreover, RPC families have contributed 270 hygiene kits and a half-ton of clothing that have now been shipped to church connections in Haiti.

M&O is in the process of selecting appropriate relief organizations for future support, to include donations from One Great Hour of Sharing and its Spring Auction fundraiser. RPC's Mission and Outreach Committee wishes to
thank everyone for your help.