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[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.ORG>]

United Methodist giving to Katrina relief exceeds $7 million

Sep. 27, 2005

NOTE: Photographs and related coverage are available at
http://umns.umc.org.

By Elliott Wright*

NEW YORK (UMNS) - United Methodist cash contributions to Hurricane
Katrina relief and rehabilitation have passed the $7 million mark.

The figure represents online, telephone, and mail donations to the
United Methodist Committee on Relief as of the morning of Sept. 26,
according to Roland Fernandes, treasurer of the United Methodist Board
of Global Ministries. UMCOR is part of the international mission agency.

Hurricane Katrina made landfall in Louisiana and Mississippi on Aug. 29,
causing widespread damage in the coastal areas of those states as well
as Alabama. Days earlier, it struck south Florida.

The new contribution figure, slightly more than $7 million, does not
include amounts given in direct response to Hurricane Rita, which struck
along the Louisiana-Texas border on Sept. 24. Donations to Hurricane
Rita relief can also be made.

Gifts may be designated for work in the wake of either Katrina or Rita
or for where they are most needed in the region. Donors making gifts by
Internet or telephone may select one or the other or both. This is also
true of gifts by check.

UMCOR is providing two giving numbers through the Advance for Christ and
His Church, the church's second-mile giving program. Checks should be
made out to: UMCOR. Note in the memo area of the check "UMCOR Advance
#982523, Hurricanes 2005-Katrina" or "UMCOR Advance #901323 Hurricane
Rita." Contributions may also be designated for a specific state
affected by the hurricanes. One hundred percent of each donation goes to
the need designated.

Tax-deductible gifts can be placed in any United Methodist church
offering plate or mailed directly to UMCOR, P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY
10087. Credit-card donations can be made by calling (800) 554-8583 or
going online to www.methodistrelief.org.

*Wright is the information officer of the United Methodist Board of
Global Ministries.

News media contact: Linda Bloom, New York, (646) 369-3759 or
newsdesk@umcom.org.

********************

United Methodist News Service
Photos and stories also available at:
http://umns.umc.org

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