|
College's
tsunami relief fund
tops $9,600 with community help
North Manchester neighbors and members of the Manchester College
community have donated $9,631 for the Tsunami Disaster Relief Fund in a
one-month effort coordinated by the college. The money was forwarded to
the Church of the Brethren, which is working with Church World Service
on relief support for victims of the Dec. 26 tsunami in Asia.
The college collected $6,747, with Dexter Axle adding $2,884. The North
Manchester company matched $1,442 in donations from its employees. “It’s
pretty common for the people in the plant to step up and help people
when there’s a need,” noted Plant Manager Pat Mulroy. Dexter has about
220 employees in North Manchester.
The college and community often unite in education and service projects.
“Giving to the tsunami relief is important to the Manchester College
community and people gave from their hearts,” said College President Jo
Young Switzer. The mission of the Church of the Brethren college
stresses the importance of an international consciousness and dedication
to service of others.
Church World Services, the global humanitarian arm of the National
Council of Churches, has delivered more than $3.5 million to the tsunami
victims, but emphasizes that recovery will take time and millions more
dollars. The aid includes medical personnel, shelter, medicines and
supplies, blankets, food, money and more.
The donation from the College donations alone, for example, is enough to
provide temporary shelter for 63 families, or 674 blankets, or vital
medicines for 16,000 people for three months, according to CWS.
For updates on the Church World Services relief effort, visit
www.churchworldservice.org,
which also accepts on-line credit card donations. Donations also may be
sent directly to Church of the Brethren General Board, 1451 Dundee Ave.,
Elgin, IL 60120. Please make checks payable to Church of the Brethren
Emergency Disaster Fund.
|
