United Methodist Giving to Hurricane Katrina Relief Exceeds $7 Million

New York, NY, September 26, 2005-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 (UMCOR), as of the morning of September 26, according to Roland Fernandes, treasurer of the General Board of Global Ministries. UMCOR is part of the international mission agency.
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Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast states of Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi on August 29, after earlier hitting 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 September 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. Checks should be made out to: UMCOR. Please list 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.

Tax-deductible gifts may be placed in any United Methodist church offering plate or mailed directly to: UMCOR, PO Box 9068, New York, NY 10087. Credit card donations are also being taken by phone at 1-800-554-8583. The online giving address is: www.methodistrelief.org.