Chicago Northwestern District
United Methodist Women

The organized unit of United Methodist Women shall be a community of women whose purpose is to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ; to develop a creative supportive fellowship; and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church.

Chicago has a large population of Haitians. We join with the United Methodist Woman and The United Methodist Church with our prayers and assistance.

We have all borne witness to the devestation and loss in Haiti. We have seen how the disaster has effected the people who are there and the loved ones who are unable to return to their homeland because of the instability of the country..

The United Methodist family has suffered loss and there are loved ones we have not been able to contact. The one thing we want to do is to travel to Haiti so we can feel useful to our brothers and sisters in pain. However, that is not only dangerous, it is not possible. The best thing we can do is to continue to offer our prayer and donate money so the relief organzations that are there can best answer the immediate and long term needs of the people of Haiti,

The United Methodist Church has one of the most effective relief agencies in existence. UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) has been rated A+ from American Institute of Philanthropy and a 4 star rating from the Charity Navigator as an orngaization that can be trusted to use donations in assistance to others.

You may donate directly on the UMCOR website. You can also donate through your local church. Checks can be made out to your local church with the notation UMCOR Advance #418325.

UMCOR makes kits which are distributed in times of a disaster. These kits cover a wide range of needs. Because of the strict regulations on international distribution, it is important to include only what is requested in each kit. Please do not substitute or add any other item:

The supplies that are needed are:

• One gallon sealed plastic bags
• Hand towels (15x25 up to 17x27 No kitchen towels)
• Washcloths
• Full sized combs
• Nail files and finger nail clippers (No emery boards or toenail clippers)
• Bath size bar of soap 3oz. and up
• Adult size toothbrushes in single package
• Toothpaste
• Adhesive plastic strip sterile bandages

All items must be new and there is no need to make kits. Please bring bulk items to a drop off church and they will be transported to Louisiana where the kits will be assembled.