Give: Financial gifts best provide immediate assistance when and where it's most needed. Send checks (write Haiti Earthquake Relief on the memo line) to ELCA Disaster Response, 39330 Treasury Center, Chicago, IL 60694-9300. Give via credit card online or call 800-638-3522. On 2009 federal tax returns, individuals can deduct donations for Haiti given through Feb. 28, 2010.
Volunteer: Call Kevin A. Massey, director, Lutheran Disaster Response, at 800-638-3522, ext. 2822, or visit www.elca.org/disaster.
Thirteen members of Christ Lutheran Church, Fleetwood, Pa., were in Haiti to volunteer at an orphanage, paint a school chapel and food pantry, and distribute food.
The earthquake quickly changed that focus, said Cheryl F. Meinschein. The pastor of Christ said she felt blessed that she and members all returned safely to the U.S., but she struggles with the horror that so many, particularly children, didn't.
"Where do you go with that?" she asked. "If it was the will of God for us to be safe, then how do I answer the question, 'What about everyone else?' "
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