wfn.org | ABCUSA: FUNDS SENT TO PUERTO RICO

[RICH.SCHRAMM@ecunet.org]

AMERICAN BAPTIST NEWS SERVICE 
Office of Communication  
American Baptist Churches USA 
P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851 
Phone: (610)768-2077 / Fax: (610)768-2320 
Web: www.abc-usa.org
Richard W. Schramm, Director 
 E-mail: richard.schramm@abc-usa.org

ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING FUNDS SENT 
TO PUERTO RICO FOR FLOOD RELIEF
by Fran Homer, American Baptist National Ministries
 Emergency relief funds totaling $25,000 have 
been sent to the Baptist Churches of Puerto Rico in 
response to a request for disaster aid from the Rev. 
Miladys Oliveras, the region's interim executive minister.  
Torrential rainfall in early May resulted in floods and mud 
slides on the island that caused more than $146 million in 
damage.
 An initial sum of $10,000 and subsequent check 
for $15,000 were released from undesignated One Great 
Hour of Sharing Disaster Funds, according to Kenneth 
George, National Ministries' director of Direct Human 
Services.  George works with the American Baptist World 
Relief Office to coordinate responses to disasters in the 
United States and Puerto Rico. 
 A state of emergency was declared on May 22 by 
Puerto Rico's Gov. Sila Calderon after floods forced 
residents from their homes.  Some 1,860 homes were 
damaged by rains that began on May 8 and resulted in 
serious flooding across the island. 
 "Once again we have been able to respond 
immediately to requests for help from our Baptist brothers 
and sisters," said George, "because of the generous One 
Great Hour of Sharing contributions by American Baptists 
in 2000.  Undesignated gifts provide a `bank account' from 
which we can draw when disasters occur and people need 
life-sustaining assistance without delay."
 American Baptists wishing to contribute to flood 
relief in Puerto Rico may do so through One Great Hour of 
Sharing--line 7 of the Monthly Report of Mission Support--
designating it for "Puerto Rico Flood Relief."
 Many American Baptist congregations receive the 
One Great Hour of Sharing Offering each year during May 
and June.  In 2000 undesignated contributions totaled 
$1,840,193, and an additional $489,387 was designated 
for relief in Mozambique, Nicaragua and other disaster 
sites.  The national goal for 2001 is $2,500,000.  For more 
information contact Ken George at 1-800-ABC-
3USA/x2034.

WFN0529A

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