The UMCOR Hotline

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 05:00:00 GMT

The UMCOR Hotline 2008 marked a year of firsts for UMCOR as we embarked in new directions to serve people in need throughout the world: those who are desperately poor, displaced, homeless, and struggling to survive after a major disaster.What follows are some of the ways UMCOR has been able to live out the mandate of Matthew 25. UMCOR can respond to some of the world’s deepest needs because of your faithfulness in telling the UMCOR story and supporting our work. In Today's Hotline:ZIMBABWE: A Compassionate and Comprehensive ResponseCÔTE D'IVOIRE: UMCOR Trains Hundreds in the Fight against MalariaCUBA: UMCOR Provides Hurricane ReliefUS: United Methodists Pull Together for Record-Breaking Flood Bucket DistributionGEORGIA: UMCOR Provides Relief to Conflict SurvivorsUS: Justice for Our Neighbors Expands to 26 ClinicsWORLDWIDE: Shining a Light on HIV/AIDSDRC: Free Medicine for the Democratic Republic of CongoZIMBABWE: A COMPASSIONATE AND COMPREHENSIVE RESPONSE UMCOR is responding to the deepening crisis in Zimbabwe by providing clean water, food and medical attention. Working with ZOE Ministry, a North Carolina Annual Conference program, 100 metric tons of grain was delivered to 12 United Methodist districts in Zimbabwe – reaching more than 1,200 households and 11,000 primary school students in mid-December.UMCOR is also providing additional support for United Methodist Hospitals in Zimbabwe. The hospitals remain open and staff continues to serve people in need, despite their own desperate circumstances. Cholera kits, sufficient to treat 2,600 people, will soon arrive at Nyadire and Mutambara United Methodist hospitals. UMCOR is also providing food, supplies, and fuel for hospital generators and is supporting staff salaries that have been affected due to the country's economic collapse. Give to Zimbabwe Emergency, UMCOR Advance #199456. CÔTE D'IVOIRE: UMCOR TRAINS HUNDREDS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST MALARIANearly one million nets were distributed in Côte d’Ivoire this past November through a collaborative effort between The United Methodist Church of Côte d'Ivoire, The Texas Annual Conference, The United Nations Foundation, United Methodist Communications and UMCOR during a national integrated health campaign. This is the largest net distribution in the country’s history.Through its Malaria Control program, UMCOR trained more than 800 Ivorian volunteers from local United Methodist Churches so that malaria education could accompany the nets. Telling others about the causes, preventative measures and treatments for malaria is “loving your neighbor as yourself,” says Naomi, a volunteer trained by UMCOR. The volunteers spent a week in the hot sun with other volunteers from the Texas Annual Conference, handing out nets and creating a greater understanding about malaria. Give to Malaria Control, UMCOR Advance #982009. CUBA: UMCOR PROVIDES HURRICANE RELIEFDays after a third hurricane pummeled Cuba in as many months, UMCOR gained US Government permission to provide assistance to people in dire need there. The license to work in Cuba in 2008 and 2009 was an answer to prayer for many as previous efforts to obtain a license have been unsuccessful.The license allowing UMCOR to provide humanitarian aid in Cuba expires October 28, 2009. While most of the focus will be to provide immediate relief, UMCOR will work closely with the churches in Cuba to help them prepare for long term recovery as well as provide training for disaster preparedness.Support the work in DRC and help UMCOR reach those left vulnerable by the intense fighting. Give to Cuba Emergency, UMCOR Advance #3020821. US: UNITED METHODISTS PULL TOGETHER FOR RECORD-BREAKING FLOOD BUCKET DISTRIBUTIONMore than 20,000 flood buckets reached flood and hurricane survivors this year. In 2007 UMCOR Sager Brown shipped 4,007 buckets. The marked increase was due to the severe floods in the Midwest and damage caused by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. United Methodists all over the US pulled together to keep the supply of flood buckets coming to meet this incredible need. Both assembled buckets and funds to purchase bucket contents allowed this special ministry to reach tens of thousands of people recovering from some of life’s harshest storms. Give to Material Resource Ministry, UMCOR Advance #901440. GEORGIA: UMCOR PROVIDES RELIEF TO CONFLICT SURVIVORSThe UMCOR office in Tbilisi, Georgia, took a lead role in responding to the needs of conflict survivors when violence broke out in South Ossetia last August. Because of UMCOR’s long history in the country, UMCOR was asked to assist in the organization and distribution of medical supply shipments from the US. UMCOR also provided food assistance and health kits to displaced people as well as assistance to local hospitals by distributing needed medical supplies housed in UMCOR’s Tbilisi warehouse. Give to Georgia Emergency, UMCOR Advance #250305. US: JUSTICE FOR OUR NEIGHBORS EXPANDS TO 26 CLINICSJustice for Our Neighbors (JFON) experienced incredible growth in 2008, adding five immigration legal clinics and five lawyers. With a total of 12 attorneys and 26 clinics in 11 annual conferences, this ministry of hospitality will be able to assist more people than ever before with their legal needs.JFON connects a national network of church-based, volunteer-led immigration clinics to asylum seekers and immigrants who need a helping hand to navigate the maze of rules and laws that affect their lives in the United States. This work represents the response of the United Methodist Church and its local congregations to the needs of immigrants seeking to reunify their families, secure immigration status, and enjoy the right to work. Give to Justice for Our Neighbors, UMCOR Advance #901285. WORLDWIDE: SHINING A LIGHT ON HIV/AIDSIn the last four years, the United Methodist Global AIDS Fund has raised $1.8 million and has awarded grants to nearly 70 HIV/AIDS projects in more than 20 countries. In 2008, more than $250,000 of the funds went to support projects both nationally and abroad. Grants support programs like the Friends Unit at Kissy United Methodist Hospital in Freetown, Sierra Leone. The Friends Unit works to combat the health threat, social stigma, and spread of HIV/AIDS. Since it opened in 2001, the Friends Unit has since served more than 1,300 patients living with HIV/AIDS through HIV testing, counseling, home-based care, antiretroviral medicines, and livelihood programs for HIV/AIDS patients and their families. Give to United Methodist Global AIDS Fund, UMCOR Advance # 982345. DRC: FREE MEDICINE FOR THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGOThe medical supply storage areas of several hospitals in the Democratic Republic of Congo are now better stocked, thanks to the collaborative effort of several diverse organizations, including UMCOR, which served as the delivery agency. Medicines worth $14 million were delivered via airlift to Kinshasa in February 2008, and are aiding hundreds of people in need.Collaborators in the medical airlift were St. Paul’s School of Theology, Kansas City, Mo.; The United Methodist Church of North Katanga; US Department of Defense; Islamic Relief USA; UMCOR; and Interchurch Medical Assistance. Give to DRC Emergency, UMCOR Advance #198400. A Word of ThanksThank you for being our partners as we seek to Be There and Be Hope for people in need of a healing touch and a helping hand.May the joy and expectation of this Christmas season be with you throughout the New Year.UMCOR provides emergency relief in many areas of the world. To find out more about UMCOR's ministries, please visit umcor.org. You can donate to any project by placing a contribution in the offering plate at a local United Methodist...

The UMCOR Hotline

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 05:00:00 GMT

The UMCOR HotlineIn Today's Hotline:US: Helping Immigrants in IowaKENYA: Promoting PeaceCOLOMBIA: Helping Refugee FamiliesRESOURCES: Zimbabwe New Church Bulletin and Power Point SlideUMCOR: A Gift of HopeUS: HELPING IMMIGRANTS IN IOWAIn May, an immigration raid on the Agriprocessors meat-packing plant startled the Postville, Iowa community which centers it livelihood on the plant. More than 300 people were arrested because they were undocumented immigrants or had come to work at the plant from labor supply companies. UMCOR is assisting the Iowa Annual Conference in providing crisis management for those affected as they struggle to pay their bills, find other work and put food on the table.Among those arrested were 30 Latin American women immigrants, who were placed under house arrest so they can care for their children. However, the women are unable to leave their home to find available work to support their families. Others face deportation pending upcoming court trials. Although some work permits have been granted, jobs and resources are scarce.UMCOR will support the Postville Central Coordinating Committee in coordinating crisis services and case management work to help these families in need. Support this effort by giving to Domestic Disaster Response, UMCOR Advance #901670. KENYA: PROMOTING PEACEMore than 4,000 women in the Nakuru camp for displaced persons in Kenya are confronting the violence that eroded during last year’s elections through a movement of peace. In a partnership with Nakuru United Methodist Church, a women’s group has formed to promote harmony throughout Nakuru camp. The group held a “We Can End Violence Cup Tournament,” where four women’s soccer teams competed against each other. The goal of the event was to engage women, youth and men into peace-building discussions. “We chose to rise up against all odds, and vowed to promote peace in our country, because violence was threatening to completely destroy the humble life we were leading.” says Jane Anyango, the chairperson of the group. UMCOR is enabling the Nakuru camp to provide 24-hour medical care to over 26,000 displaced people and provide school uniforms and books to over 2, 500 orphans now enrolled in school. Support the work in Kenya by giving to International Disaster Response, UMCOR Advance #982450. COLOMBIA: HELPING REFUGEE FAMILIESThe ongoing conflict in Colombia has pushed more than three million Colombians from their homes into neighboring countries—making it the country with the second-highest number of displaced people. UMCOR is supporting its partner Church World Service (CWS) in helping Colombian refugees integrate into Chilean society through business skills development.CWS in partnership with Chilean organization FASIC (Fundacion de Ayuda Social de las Iglesias Cristianas or Christian Social Aid Foundation) and IMECH, a Chilean Methodist Church, is helping Colombian refugees resettle in Chile and helping them become economically self sufficient. UMCOR will help CWS in its efforts to increase the livelihoods of about 20 refugee families through micro-enterprise support to help refugees start small businesses. Through CWS partners, Colombian refugees will learn entrepreneurial skills including business management, accounting, tax preparation and more.Support this work by giving to Global Refugee Response, UMCOR Advance # 982540. RESOURCES: ZIMBABWE CHURCH BULLETIN AND POWER POINT SLIDEIn Zimbabwe, Nyadire and Mutambara United Methodist Hospitals are doing what they can to help the droves of people seeking medical attention. Despite the hospital’s limited capacity to serve everyone in need, UMCOR is helping these hospitals stay in operation by providing cholera kits to treat 2,600 people, supporting staff salaries, providing food, medical supplies and 35 Medicine Boxes which will arrive in February.UMCOR will also help in the rehabilitation and reconstruction of an old Nyadire water system that will give the Nyadire United Methodist Hospital and mission station a dependable water supply for about 500,000 people.Learn more. Download the latest Zimbabwe church bulletin now and share this information with your local congregation. Or, use UMCOR’s new Zimbabwe Power Point slide to engage your congregation into collecting a special offering. Help UMCOR continue to bring relief to areas most in need. Give to Zimbabwe Emergency, UMCOR Advance #199456.UMCOR: A GIFT OF HOPEBy shopping UMCOR’s Gift Catalog, you are giving the gift of life and hope to those who have minimal access to medicines, healthcare, food or education. A gift of $50 can provide five rapid diagnostic tests that will help detect malaria easily in sub-Sahara Africa. For $100, a girl in the Democratic Republic of Congo can attend school for one full academic year, or $200 can help the elderly in the nation of Georgia get much-needed medicine at no cost to them and will support UMCOR’s ongoing work there.These are some of the gifts of hope offered through UMCOR’s Gift Catalog. Each item in the gift catalog is an example of what your gift can accomplish in this program. One hundred percent of all gifts will go to the listed Advance project.View the Gift Catalog now and give a gift that changes the world.UMCOR provides emergency relief in many areas of the world. To find out more about UMCOR's ministries, please visit umcor.org. You can donate to any project by placing a contribution in the offering plate at a local United Methodist church; by sending a check to UMCOR, PO Box 9068, New York, NY 10087-9068; or by calling 1-800-554-8583, where credit card donations are accepted. You can also give online by clicking on any of the "Give Now" links. UMCOR is exempt from tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of the United States and qualifies for the maximum charitable contribution deduction by donors.And, please pray for those who are hungry, displaced, sick or in poverty because of these and other natural and human-made disasters, and for the workers who minister to them.BE SURE TO RECEIVE OUR HOTLINE EMAILS. MAKE UMCOR YOUR BUDDY! Some Internet Service Providers like AOL, Yahoo!, Hotmail, and Juno use email filtering software that allows you to add email addresses to a "buddy," "trusted," "safe," or approved list. Please add umcor@gbgm-umc.org to your list so that our messages don't end up in "junk mail" or the "trash."NEWS ROOMHotline News UpdateArchives 2008Archives 2007Archives 2006News & FeaturesPhoto GalleryMedia ContactsNobel Laureate Rigoberta Menchu visited Postville last month to encourage the women who are under house arrest.Sol VariscoWomen in Nakuru Camp, Kenya for the displaced are promoting peace and harmony among people of diverse backgrounds.Melissa Crutchfield/UMCORHelp Zimbabwe orphans like these get daily nourishment with your gifts to Zimbabwe Emergency, Advance #199456.Courtesy of ZOE MinistryUse UMCOR’s Gift Catalog as your guide to giving this season. Give the gift of hope to someone in need.For More InformationResponding to Humanitarian Needs in Postville Keeping Hospitals Open in ZimbabweUMCOR Brings Food, Medical Care and Water to ZimbabweUMCOR Provides Help for Kenyans Still Displaced by 2007 Election ViolenceZimbabwe—New Church Bulletin InsertPDF(1pp, 99K)Zimbabwe Power Point Slide (1pp, 690K)UMCOR Gift Catalog

The UMCOR Hotline

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 05:00:00 GMT

The UMCOR HotlineIn Today's Hotline:ZIMBABWE: Relief on the WayARMENIA: Anti-Trafficking GrantDRC: Bringing Relief to DRCUS: Giving Fair Trade for the HolidaysUMCOR: Give Through the UMCOR Gift CatalogZIMBABWE: RELIEF ON THE WAYUMCOR is responding to the crisis in Zimbabwe by providing resources for clean water, food and medical attention. Working with ZOE Ministry, a North Carolina Annual Conference program, 100 metric tons of grain through will make its way to 12 United Methodist districts in Zimbabwe – reaching more than 1,200 households and 11,000 primary school students starting this week.In addition, UMCOR is addressing the cholera outbreaks in Zimbabwe by supplying Nyadire and Mutambara United Methodist hospitals with cholera kits to treat 2,600 people. UMCOR will provide food, supplies, and fuel for hospital generators and is supporting staff salaries that have been affected due to the country's economic collapse. UMCOR is also working with the Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference to restore water services and equipment for Nyadire Hospital and surrounding areas to improve the health and quality of life for approximately 500,000 people. Help strengthen UMCOR’s work in Zimbabwe by giving to Zimbabwe Emergency, UMCOR Advance #199456. ARMENIA: ANTI-TRAFFICKING GRANTNew hope has arrived for people who are forced into human trafficking in Armenia. A $90,000 grant was awarded to UMCOR’s non-governmental organization (UMCOR-NGO) to help strengthen their response to trafficking throughout Armenia. The funds will help train law enforcement officials in protecting and detecting trafficked individuals, as well as help treat them in compliance with international standards. The grant was issued by the State Department’s Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs and was recently presented to the head of UMCOR-NGO's Armenia office, Gohar Grigorian. UMCOR Armenia’s Anti-Human Trafficking Program assists trafficked survivors by helping them reintegrate into society. The program also provides medical services, psychosocial support, vocational training and legal counseling. Contribute to this project by giving to Counter Trafficking Outreach, Awareness and Alternatives, UMCOR Advance #333615.DRC: BRINGING RELIEF TO DRCAs fighting in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to worsen, UMCOR is working with Action by Churches Together (ACT) to provide humanitarian assistance to over 58,700 people in North and South Kivu. An estimated 250,000 people have been displaced since fighting intensified in August and well over one million people are displaced in the North Kivu region. UMCOR is bringing relief to those most vulnerable and as a partner member of ACT is improving water and sanitation facilities, distributing seeds and tools, providing nutrition for malnourished children, and giving more than 2,000 families basic materials. Psychosocial support will be provided for over 9,000 displaced people experiencing trauma by the ongoing conflict in Goma, Rutshuru and Nyanzale regions.Support the work in DRC and help UMCOR reach those left vulnerable by the intense fighting. Give to DRC Emergency, UMCOR Advance #198400. US: GIVING FAIR TRADE FOR THE HOLIDAYSUnited Methodists are being creative this year by giving the gift of fair trade. Denise Daub, a parishioner for Beach Lake United Methodist Church, Pa., is preparing decorative fair trade baskets as holiday gifts. Each basket is filled with fair trade products and literature from UMCOR’s partner Equal Exchange. Daub has baskets available for tea lovers, coffee lovers and chocolate lovers.The General Board of Church and Society in partnership with Global Exchange, youth groups and churches, is sending out fair trade Christmas carolers to sing tunes like “My Favorite Fair-Traded Things,” inspiring their audiences to take fair trade action. The carols are sung to remind people that purchasing fair trade products ensures that farmers are paid fair prices and have access to health care and education. Join in fair trade giving by participating in UMCOR’s 100-Ton Coffee Challenge. Visit Equal Exchange Interfaith Store now to make your purchases. You can also give to World Hunger/Poverty, UMCOR Advance # 982920. UMCOR: GIVE THROUGH THE UMCOR GIFT CATALOGEvery year, The Yeley family makes donations to UMCOR instead of exchanging gifts at their annual Christmas gathering. This year they purchased several school supply kits to help vulnerable children. Consider giving through the UMCOR Gift Catalog and exchange your gift for those in need.Making a gift to an UMCOR project gives hope and encouragement and helps make a lasting change. Visit UMCOR’s Gift Catalog now to make your selection. One hundred percent of all gifts will go to the listed Advance project. You may also give corporately this year. Download and share UMCOR’s Christmas Wish List church bulletin with your local congregation and collectively select a special gift to give this season.UMCOR provides emergency relief in many areas of the world. To find out more about UMCOR's ministries, please visit umcor.org. You can donate to any project by placing a contribution in the offering plate at a local United Methodist church; by sending a check to UMCOR, PO Box 9068, New York, NY 10087-9068; or by calling 1-800-554-8583, where credit card donations are accepted. You can also give online by clicking on any of the "Give Now" links. UMCOR is exempt from tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of the United States and qualifies for the maximum charitable contribution deduction by donors.And, please pray for those who are hungry, displaced, sick or in poverty because of these and other natural and human-made disasters, and for the workers who minister to them.BE SURE TO RECEIVE OUR HOTLINE EMAILS. MAKE UMCOR YOUR BUDDY! Some Internet Service Providers like AOL, Yahoo!, Hotmail, and Juno use email filtering software that allows you to add email addresses to a "buddy," "trusted," "safe," or approved list. Please add umcor@gbgm-umc.org to your list so that our messages don't end up in "junk mail" or the "trash."NEWS ROOMHotline News UpdateArchives 2008Archives 2007Archives 2006News & FeaturesPhoto GalleryMedia ContactsZOE Ministry delivers food supplies to a town in Zimbabwe.Courtesy of ZOE MinistryThe U.S. Embassy in Yerevan hosted a signing ceremony where Gohar Grigorian, UMCOR Armenia, was presented with an award from the State Department by the US Ambassador to Armenia, Marie L. Yovanovitch.Courtesy of UMCOR ArmeniaWomen displaced by fighting await aid delivery at Kibati, north of Goma in eastern Congo, Nov. 12.REUTERS/Finbarr O'Reilly (DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO) Equal Exchange coffee lines the shelves at Beach Lake UMC where Parishioner Denise Daub prepares baskets as holiday gifts.Courtesy of Beach Lake United Methodist ChurchWhen you give from UMCOR’s Gift Catalog, you can warm a heart and restore hope in the life of someone in need.For More InformationUMCOR Brings Food, Medical Care and Water to ZimbabweUMCOR Armenia Receives Grant from State DepartmentUMCOR Offers Hope in DRC100-Ton ChallengeUMCOR Gift Catalog

The UMCOR Hotline

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 05:00:00 GMT

The UMCOR HotlineIn Today's Hotline:ZIMBABWE: Supplies of HopeKENYA: Event Brings AIDS AwarenessUS: 100-Ton Challenge UpdateCENTRAL AMERICA: Preparing for the StormUMCOR: Receive an UMCOR News Feed ZIMBABWE: SUPPLIES OF HOPEIn the midst of cholera outbreaks, Zimbabwe continues to experience a growing economic crisis, famine and drought. UMCOR Health is bringing supplies of hope to the ailing Zimbabwe nation through the distribution of food, medicines, medical supplies and school kits.UMCOR, through ZOE Ministry (Zimbabwe Orphans Endeavor) is providing meals for 16,500 students, pastors, hospital staff, orphans and others throughout 12 United Methodist Church districts in Zimbabwe for three months. 35 Medicine Boxes which contain essential drugs and medical supplies are en route to Nyadire, Mutambara and Old Mutare United Methodist hospitals in Zimbabwe, as well as other home based care centers. Each Medicine Box is sufficient to provide a community of about 1,000 people with basic medicines and supplies for three months. UMCOR is delivering more than 14,000 Sager Brown school kits to children in United Methodist schools throughout Zimbabwe to support their educational needs. UMCOR is also working to implement other efforts to bring relief to Zimbabwe in the coming months. To support this effort, please give to Zimbabwe Emergency, UMCOR Advance #199456. KENYA: EVENT BRINGS AIDS AWARENESSIn poverty-stricken parts of Kenya, hundreds of vulnerable children struggle to take care of themselves when they lose their parents to HIV/AIDS, drug abuse or neglect. The United Methodist Global AIDS Fund supported a World AIDS Day event to help bring awareness to this growing problem.On Dec.1, Riruta United Methodist Church in Kenya, which has a program that cares for children orphaned because of AIDS, partnered with non-governmental organizations, Arise Child Development Organization and Riruta United Women Empowerment Programme. They marked World AIDS Day by addressing child rights, child protection and HIV/AIDS issues affecting their community. One discussion focused on the critical need for nursing, counseling and spiritual support for children when their parents die of HIV/AIDS. Orphans and other vulnerable children presented their stories, poetry, drama and songs about HIV/AIDS. Support events like these, give to United Methodist Global AIDS Fund, UMCOR Advance #982345. US: 100-TON CHALLENGE UPDATEUnited Methodists are steadily rising to meet UMCOR’s 100-Ton Challenge which began World Fair Trade Day, May 10. As of November, more than 38 tons of fair trade coffee, tea, cocoa, chocolate and snacks have been purchased through the UMCOR Coffee Project and its partner Equal Exchange. Help UMCOR meet its 100 ton goal by May, 2009.Consider giving fair trade gifts for the holidays. Tell others about the challenge and increase their awareness about fair trade. By participating in the challenge, you are helping farmers earn fair prices for their crops and support their families, care for the environment and build their communities. Learn more about the Challenge here and visit Equal Exchange’s Interfaith web store to make your purchases. You can also give to World Hunger/Poverty, UMCOR Advance # 982920. CENTRAL AMERICA: PREPARING FOR THE STORMIn Central America, poor, rural communities are most affected by the destruction left by earthquakes, floods, or hurricanes. Preparing before a disaster strikes is one way to help vulnerable communities stand after a storm. UMCOR is supporting Rights Action, a community development, environmental and human rights organization, to strengthen its emergency response capacity for Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Chiapas, Mexico that are subject to frequent natural disasters. Disaster preparation includes community workshops to develop emergency response plans for vulnerable communities. Additionally, the program will help communities develop strategies to protect and sustain the environment through local disaster plan response. You can support this work by giving to Central America Emergency, UMCOR Advance #501300. UMCOR: RECEIVE UMCOR HOMEPAGE NEWS FEEDIf you want to stay current on UMCOR’s relief efforts around the world, a new feature has been added to UMCOR’s homepage that will allow you to access UMCOR’s homepage news on one single web page. Subscribing to an RSS Feed (Really Simple Syndication) will allow you to select your news information in a summarized format for easy viewing.Visit www.umcor.org and look for the RSS Feed symbol, or click here now to subscribe for free. When you subscribe, updated information from the feed is automatically downloaded to your computer and can be viewed in Internet Explorer and other programs. New content is automatically downloaded so you can see what is new since you last visited the feed.Subscribe today and stay UMCOR-informed.UMCOR provides emergency relief in many areas of the world. To find out more about UMCOR's ministries, please visit umcor.org. You can donate to any project by placing a contribution in the offering plate at a local United Methodist church; by sending a check to UMCOR, PO Box 9068, New York, NY 10087-9068; or by calling 1-800-554-8583, where credit card donations are accepted. You can also give online by clicking on any of the "Give Now" links. UMCOR is exempt from tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of the United States and qualifies for the maximum charitable contribution deduction by donors.And, please pray for those who are hungry, displaced, sick or in poverty because of these and other natural and human-made disasters, and for the workers who minister to them.BE SURE TO RECEIVE OUR HOTLINE EMAILS. MAKE UMCOR YOUR BUDDY! Some Internet Service Providers like AOL, Yahoo!, Hotmail, and Juno use email filtering software that allows you to add email addresses to a "buddy," "trusted," "safe," or approved list. Please add umcor@gbgm-umc.org to your list so that our messages don't end up in "junk mail" or the "trash."NEWS ROOMHotline News UpdateArchives 2008Archives 2007Archives 2006News & FeaturesPhoto GalleryMedia ContactsNyadire United Methodist Centre is among five other health care facilities that will receive Medicine Boxes to help bring healing to those in need.UMCORRev. John Makokha of Riruta UMC with children during the World AIDS Day event made possible by the UM Global AIDS Fund.Courtesy of Riruta United Methodist Church, KenyaHelp farmers earn fair wages by purchasing fair trade coffee through UMCOR's partner Equal Exchange.Communities like this one in Usalatan, El Salvador can arise out of the rubble through effective disaster prevention response made possible through UMCOR.Paul Jeffrey/UMCORFor More InformationHundreds Tested for HIV/AIDS in KenyaWorld AIDS Day100-Ton Challenge

The UMCOR Hotline

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 05:00:00 GMT

The UMCOR HotlineIn Today's Hotline:UMCOR: A New Depot for UMCORKENYA: Hundreds Get Tested for HIV/AIDSUS: Organizing Ike ResponseSENEGAL: A Project of HopeUS: Souper Bowl Sunday - Feb. 1, 2009UMCOR: A NEW DEPOT FOR UMCORUMCOR has signed a lease for warehouse space to establish a new material supply depot in Salt Lake City, Utah. The facility is scheduled to open on January 1. Salt Lake City is considered an ideal place to house a depot because of its central location within the Western Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church. A nearby international airport and hub for cargo trains adds to the location’s benefits. The depot will operate as a satellite of the UMCOR Sager Brown Depot in Baldwin, LA. Sager Brown director, Kathy Kraiza will oversee the two person Utah staff. In addition to providing material supplies, the depot will serve as a field office and training center for disaster response. Should a disaster occur that effects communications in the Northeast, the Salt Lake City offices will provide UMCOR with an alternate point of communication and response. You can support the material supplies ministry by giving to Material Resources, UMCOR Advance #901440. KENYA: HUNDREDS GET TESTED FOR HIV/AIDSOn World AIDS Day Dec. 1, over 2,000 Nakuru, Kenya residents received HIV/AIDS testing in an event hosted by the Nakuru United Methodist Church. Medics from Wesley Mission Health Center, a Nakuru United Methodist Church health project, conducted free HIV/AIDS testing and provided participating residents with health information and advice. Local government officials, teachers, church leaders, including the Rev. Josam Kariuki, district superintendent of Nakuru UMC got tested for the HIV virus. “We are very grateful to UMCOR and East Africa Annual Conference resident Bishop Daniel Wandabula for the continued support, “ said Rev. Josam. UMCOR is supporting Nakuru UMC by providing 24-hour medical care to over 26,000 displaced persons in Nakuru camp. In Kenya only 20 percent of the total population knows whether or not they are HIV-positive. Four out of five people infected do not know their status. Contributors to lack of HIV awareness are stigma, limited access to testing centers or lack of education. Support the work in Kenya by giving to International Disaster Response, UMCOR Advance #982450. US: ORGANIZING IKE RESPONSEThe Texas Annual Conference leadership including Bishop Janice Huie, has asked Eddie Hilliard to organize the long-term response to Hurricane Ike in Galveston County along with UMCOR. Hilliard, who has a background in business to organize disaster response, will work with UMCOR as it continues to provide assistance, consulting and training for the conference. Working alongside Hilliard will be Lee Thornton, family advocate manager and missions coordinator for the South District, and Alan Miller, construction supervisor, who was part of the Rita Recovery effort in 2005. Over 20 organizations recently gathered for a Galveston County Long Term Recovery Committee meeting to discuss disaster case management, construction work, volunteers, and resources. Galveston suffered one of its worst storms in history when Hurricane Ike struck in September. You can support this recovery work by giving to Hurricanes, 2008, UMCOR Advance #3019695. SENEGAL: A PROJECT OF HOPEIn the Pecc Maxa village of Senegal, West Africa, joyous laughter of several bright-eyed, healthy children now fill the air. The laughter is one of the sweet rewards of work made possible through UMCOR’s Community-Based Malaria Program and the United Methodist Global AIDS Fund. About 18 months ago, Dr. Aly, a Global Ministries missionary candidate, led a pilot project with the United Methodist Church of Senegal mobile clinic health team to reduce malaria outbreaks. The project involved the distribution of long lasting insecticide nets, protection measures, malaria treatments for pregnant women and nutrition. Since its inception, not one child or pregnant woman has been admitted to the clinic with a case of malaria. Community health workers trained in HIV/AIDS and maternal and child health issues will help expand this current program with hopes to reach the Mbalen Dal Diame village where health care, prevention and education are severely lacking. Please give to the Community-Based Malaria Program, UMCOR Advance #982009. US: SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY - FEB. 1, 2009On Feb. 1, America's youth will once again transform Super Bowl weekend into the nation's largest youth-led weekend of giving and serving through Souper Bowl of Caring. In 2008, 262,000 young people, from more than 12,000 faith-based organizations, raised over $10 million in cash and food for charities nationwide. Join thousands of United Methodists in the fight against hunger on Feb 1. On Sundays leading up to Souper Bowl, youth will collect one dollar donations in large soup pots as worshippers leave church. Each group will donate 100 percent of their money directly to the charity of their choice. Download a Souper Bowl of Caring poster to encourage people of all ages to care for their neighbors in need and register online at www.souperbowl.org. You can also support key hunger programs worldwide through your gifts to World/Hunger Poverty, UMCOR Advance #982920. UMCOR provides emergency relief in many areas of the world. To find out more about UMCOR's ministries, please visit umcor.org. You can donate to any project by placing a contribution in the offering plate at a local United Methodist church; by sending a check to UMCOR, PO Box 9068, New York, NY 10087-9068; or by calling 1-800-554-8583, where credit card donations are accepted. You can also give online by clicking on any of the "Give Now" links. UMCOR is exempt from tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of the United States and qualifies for the maximum charitable contribution deduction by donors.And, please pray for those who are hungry, displaced, sick or in poverty because of these and other natural and human-made disasters, and for the workers who minister to them.BE SURE TO RECEIVE OUR HOTLINE EMAILS. MAKE UMCOR YOUR BUDDY! Some Internet Service Providers like AOL, Yahoo!, Hotmail, and Juno use email filtering software that allows you to add email addresses to a "buddy," "trusted," "safe," or approved list. Please add umcor@gbgm-umc.org to your list so that our messages don't end up in "junk mail" or the "trash."NEWS ROOMHotline News UpdateArchives 2008Archives 2007Archives 2006News & FeaturesPhoto GalleryMedia ContactsRachel Lieder Simeon tours warehouse space that will house the new UMCOR depot.Lisa Jackson/UMCORRev. Josam Kariuki (right), district superintendent for Nakuru UMC undergoes HIV testing on World AIDS Day.Courtesy of Nakuru United Methodist ChurchEddie Hilliard (left) along with UMCOR will organize long-term response to Hurricane Ike in Galveston County, Texas.Susan J. Meister/UMCORHelp children like these in Senegal receive proper heath care, treatment and education about malaria with your gifts to UMCOR's Malaria Program, Advance #982009.Darla Rowley/UMCORJoin the fight against hunger. Register today for Souper Bowl Sunday.For More InformationHundreds Tested for HIV/AIDS in KenyaNew Points of HopeJob Description for Depot DirectorTexas Conference Begins Organizing for Long Term Response in GalvestonMake Malaria HistoryUMCOR Provides Help for Kenyans Still Displaced by 2007 Election ViolenceSouper Bowl of CaringProtected From Malaria—Church Bulletin PDF (1pp,65K)