Assistance Needed for Victims of Earthquake in Haiti

PDF Attachments: IOCC Emergency Kits, Haiti Response Flyer, Haiti Response Letter (This Letter)

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January 19, 2010
+Saint Makarios the Great of Egypt

Beloved Clergy and Lay Faithful of the Metropolis of San Francisco,

"...Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me."  Matthew 25:40

As a spiritual family, we have been joined in prayer throughout these recent days, praying for our Lord's mercy to be upon all those traumatized by the recent earthquake in Haiti.  I implore you to maintain consistent prayers as a first step towards healing for the millions affected, either directly or indirectly, by this tragedy. 

As responsible stewards of the grace that God has entrusted to us, I call upon each parish community of the Metropolis of San Francisco to cultivate this prayerful response into a response of tangible action. In addition to any current efforts your parish has initiated, the Metropolis of San Francisco is teaming support with the efforts and response of International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC), specifically their Emergency Response Health Kit Program - a program that is accessible for all parishes and community ministry programs to effectively embark upon. In this prayerful effort, the following protocol is prescribed:

1. Buy a one-gallon plastic bag with a zipper closure and fill it with the following items:

• One hand towel
• One washcloth
• One comb
• One metal nail file or nail clipper
• One bar of soap (bath size, new and wrapped in original packaging)
• One toothbrush (NO TOOTHPASTE)
• Six Band-Aids

2. Secure the bag and pack it in a box, then secure the box with packing tape.

3. Clearly mark the outside of the box: "Health Kit-IOCC" and specify the number of kits that are enclosed. Apply the correct amount of postage and mail the box to the following address:

                                                IOCC/Church World Service
                                                Brethren Service Center Annex
                                                601 Main St.
                                                P.O. Box 188
                                                New Windsor, MD 21776-0188

*Be sure to include the name of the parish, group or individual sending the kits on the box.

**Additional information is located at www.iocc.org/kits

Through parish-wide efforts and individual ministry programs and community outreach efforts, the Metropolis of San Francisco response to these events of human suffering will provide an amount of relief to those who on this day are truly, the least of our brethren.

I extend to you my gratitude and paternal blessings for your immediate attention and response to this request.

With Love in Christ,

+Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco