wfn.org | ABCUSA: Giuffrida Memorial Fund Established

["SCHRAMM, Richard" <Richard.Schramm@abc-usa.org>]

American Baptist News Service (Valley Forge, Pa. 5/2/03)--National
Ministries/The American Baptist Home Mission Societies has established the
Matthew R. Giuffrida Memorial Fund to honor the many years of service of
that dedicated missionary.  A longtime leader in refugee resettlement who
served as director of National Ministries' Direct Human Services program,
Giuffrida died April 16 at age 77.

The fund will benefit asylum seekers, undocumented persons and those with
visa problems. Contributions may be marked for the fund and sent to National
Ministries, P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19582-0851.

Giuffrida retired in 1993 after 38 years of service.  Under his guidance the
denomination's refugee program over the years led all Protestant
denominations cooperating with Church World Service's refugee resettlement
office.  As of December 2002, the number of refugees resettled by American
Baptists since the end of World War II was 89,223.

"Matthew Giuffrida established a distinguished and unparalleled legacy of
service and ministry on behalf of refugees and others seeking safe haven,
and he demonstrated deep and tireless concern for each individual and family
resettled," said National Ministries Executive Director the Rev. Dr. Aidsand
F. Wright-Riggins III.	

K/2003ABNS/03ABN65

American Baptist News Service: Office of Communication, American Baptist
Churches USA, P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851; (800)ABC-3USA x2077
/ (610)768-2077; fax: (610)768-2320; www.abc-usa.org;
richard.schramm@abc-usa.org