Haiti Emergency Relief

There is HOPE. You can make a difference in the lives of thousands affected by the devastation in Haiti.

The YMCA of Wood Buffalo joins with YMCA Canada and YMCAs around the world in concern for the people of Haiti. The worldwide YMCA is coordinating efforts to help meet the needs of Haitians in the short-term while planning for the long-term rehabilitation and recovery of the YMCA of Haiti.

The YMCA of Haiti has reported that their staff and participants are well but YMCA operations have been greatly affected. The main program site in Port-Au-Prince has been destroyed. The YMCA of Haiti provides a range of programs for children and youth including homework help, English classes, sports activities, discussion groups, HIV/AIDS prevention and a reading club. Donations for Support of the YMCA of Haiti Relief are being accepted at YMCA of Wood Buffalo and directed to YMCA of Haiti for emergency support.

How can you help?

Send money to aid the relief efforts. Please help us inform fellow members and the public who wish to make a donation.

TO DONATE:

• In Person or by phone:
  Donate at Westwood Family YMCA in person or by phone. Donations can be made by Visa, Master Card, cash, or debit card are all accepted.
• By Mail:
  Please send your cheque payable to the:
  YMCA of Wood Buffalo, 221 Tundra Drive, AB T9H 4Z7
  and reference: YMCA of Haiti Relief Fund on your cheque.
• Online:
  YMCA Canada have a link on their website: www.ymca.ca for donations online.

Individuals giving to the YMCA of Haiti Emergency Appeal will have their donation matched dollar for dollar by the government. The Canadian government has now clarified that individual donations to any registered Canadian charity that are earmarked for Haiti emergency relief between January 12 and February 12 will be matched to create the government's Earthquake Relief Fund.Ê This Earthquake Relief Fund will be allocated to eligible relief and humanitarian organizations. (At this time, it's not yet clear whether the YMCA would be eligible to apply to the government's Earthquake Relief Fund.)

All donations received by YMCA of Wood Buffalo will be forwarded to YMCA of Haiti for their work in both short term relief work but more importantly long term rebuilding of the communities so badly devastated.

Presently YMCA volunteers and staff from the YMCA of Dominican Republic are meeting and working with YMCA of Haiti volunteers and staff to provide humanitarian aid and are developing a longer term response to this devastation to their country.

More information on how the relief funds are used will be shared once their needs are fully known.

Thank you for taking the time to inform yourself and to share this information with those who would like to support the relief efforts.