Haiti

Disciples Share

How You can Help

This news makes my heart just drop, and I know I'm not alone. People of faith have always been among those responding first to disasters and humanitarian crises -- let's make sure that's still the case.

When disaster strikes, the response in the first few days matters the most. That's why I'm asking you to support organizations that already have staff providing relief on the ground in Haiti.

Here are a few outstanding organizations -- please support them in this hour of need:

Oxfam has four offices in Haiti and more than 200 experienced aid workers on the ground. They're sending badly needed emergency supplies including clean water, temporary shelters, and sanitation equipment from a base in Panama. Support Oxfam's assistance to Haiti.

Numerous faith-based organizations run excellent relief services. If you would like to support relief in Haiti through a group affiliated with your religious tradition, click here for a list of organizations -- including many that are faith-based -- raising money and providing on-the-ground services.

Hygiene Kits

    * One hand towel measuring approximately 16" x 28" (no fingertip or bath towels)
    * One washcloth
    * One wide-tooth comb
    * One nail clipper (no metal files or emery boards)
    * One bar of soap (bath size in wrapper)
    * One toothbrush (in original packaging)
    * Six Band-Aids®

Please do not add toothpaste to the Hygiene Kit. Toothpaste that has an extended expiration date will be added to Hygiene Kit shipments just prior to shipment. Seal all items in a one-gallon plastic bag with a zipper closure.

Emergency Clean-up Buckets

* One five-gallon bucket with resealable lid
* Five scouring pads
* Seven sponges, assorted sizes
* One scrub brush
* Eighteen cleaning towels (reusable, like Easy Wipes)
* One 50-78 oz. box dry laundry detergent
* One 12 oz. bottle of liquid concentrated household cleaner (like Lysol)
* One 25 oz. bottle liquid disinfectant dish soap (like Dawn)
* Fifty clothespins
* Clothesline, two 50 ft. or one 100 ft.
* Five dust masks* Two pairs latex gloves (like Playtex)
* One pair work gloves
* 24-bag roll of heavy-duty trash bags (33-45 gallon)

Please purchase all liquids in plastic bottles. Be sure to send only new, unopened materials. Put all items in the plastic bucket, making sure they are packed securely to avoid damage during shipment, and seal lid with packing tape. Place each Bucket in a separate box.

Content information, along with packaging and shipping instructions, can be found at "Gift of the Heart" Kits information.