Helping Haiti
PABJ: Haitian Earthquake effects one member directly, how you can help
1.18.09Dear PABJ Family:
If you didn't know, I want to let you know that the earthquake that ravaged Haiti has directly affected one of our PABJ members.
Denise James, a 6ABC television reporter and current PABJ Vice President-Broadcast, maintains her dedication to PABJ through her various committee work. She attended this past Tuesday night's PABJ general membership meeting with her usual enthusiasm and even brought some veggies and a fruit tray (with dip to-die-for).
What we didn't know at that time was that her family was dealing with the real tragedy happening inHaiti. Her step-father and other relatives had not been heard from that evening. In short time, she did receive word they were okay, and they have since been flown to the states by way of New Jersey.
Denise's step-father, Walter Riley, facilitates the Haiti Emergency Relief Fund. I urge you to support it. Any amount you can donate will be most appreciated. At this point, we all know how severe the devastation is, and by watching the various news reports, one could sit and shake one's head wondering..... just how will the country come back? It will in time with the on-the-ground grassroots support of organizations such as the Haiti Emergency Relief Fund. The work the HERF are doing directly helps the grassroots efforts of: women's organizations, victims assistance, independent human rights monitoring, funds provided to peasant cooperatives, defense of trade union organizers, and education/literacy efforts.
If you can dig a little bit into your pockets and help Mr. Wiley's organization's efforts, I can tell you that you'll make a direct impact. You'll also be giving to a 501(c)(3) organization, and your donation is tax-deductible as allowable by law.
On a day like today, Martin Luther King Day, with all that's going on in this world, I'm sure by now you've been moved to serve and in some way I hope you've also been moved to give.
Sincerely,
Sarah Glover
PABJ/Daily News
Urgent Appeal from Haiti Emergency Relief Fund
January 13, 2010
Dear Friends of Haiti :
Haiti has been hit by a devastating earthquake. Tens of thousands may have been killed and hundreds of thousands left homeless. This is a moment in which your solidarity is of critical importance.
Since March 2004, the Haiti Emergency Relief Fund has given concrete aid to Haiti 's grassroots democratic movement as they attempted to survive the brutal coup and rebuild shattered development projects. It is in a position to distribute earthquake relief where it's needed most.
The Fund is an all-volunteer organization with no paid staff and no overhead. All funds raised for earthquake relief will go directly to grassroots organizations in Haiti with a proven track record of serving the needs of the poor majority.
Here are some of the projects we have supported in Haiti : Funds to peasant cooperatives for irrigation pumps, seed and tools, in the belief that local agricultural development and the growth of a cooperative movement in Haiti are part of a long-term solution to the food crisis. Victims assistance - HERF funds have supported grassroots activists who had to flee their homes and live as internal refugees; contributed to campaigns to free political prisoners and provided financial support to their families. Independent human rights monitoring, supportinghuman rights workers and attorneys who continue, under dangerous conditions, to document human rights violations and defend victims of repression. Support for women's organizations, that are leading education campaigns, supporting market women, helping women form cooperatives, sustaining the victims of rape and other forms of sexual and physical abuse. Defending trade union organizers who were violently attacked throughout the coup period, and supporting the trade union fight against privatization. Education/literacy - Since the 2004 coup,government subsidies for school children have been cut and many literacy projects terminated. HERF has supported a school for poor children in Port-au-Prince , educational projects in rural areas of northern Haiti ,and literacy programs.
Now that Haiti is suffering from this devastating earthquake, it is all the more important that our solidarity contributions go directly and entirely to those who need it most. What better way than through the grassroots organizations that have the trust of the poor majority in Haiti .
Sincerely,
Walter Riley, Civil rights attorney; Chair of the Haiti Emergency Relief Fund. ...Sister Maureen Duignan, O.S.F., Co-Chair, Haiti Emergency Relief Fund; Director, East Bay Sanctuary Covenant.... Pierre Labossiere, Board Member, Haiti Emergency Relief Fund; Co-Founder of Haiti Action Committee....Randall White, Deacon, Allen Temple Baptist Church; Board Member HERF....Robert Roth, Educator; Co-Founder Haiti Action Committee....Marilyn Langlois, Board Member, HERF; community advocate for Mayor's office in Richmond CA .
Mail your tax deductible donation by check to:
" Haiti Emergency Relief Fund/EBSC" c/o East Bay Sanctuary Covenant
2362 Bancroft Way
Berkeley , CA 94704
EBSC is a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization, tax ID# 94-3249753.
We will acknowledge all donations.
