News Briefs
Back to Weekly News Briefs...March 25, 2010
- ACT Alliance officially launched
- Gifts from the Heart program reaches new heights
- Concerts raise funds for the Appeal for Haiti
- Foodgrains Bank hosts climate change and hunger workshops
ACT Alliance officially launched
One of the world’s largest humanitarian agencies, the ACT Alliance, was officially launched on March 24. ACT, a coalition of more than 100 church-based agencies working in international emergency assistance and development, has an annual budget of $1.5 billion USD.
ACT represents the unification of emergency relief organization ACT International and development body ACT Development; two Geneva-based coordinating offices.
ACT has been at the forefront of life-saving work in Haiti since January 12, the day the massive earthquake destroyed much of Port-au-Prince. On that day, nine ACT organizations were operating in Haiti and were able to swing into relief efforts immediately. As a global giant, ACT was able to assist survivors of the Chile earthquake six weeks after the Haiti earthquake.
The alliance works for the world’s poorest people, fighting the causes of human suffering and injustice. ACT members are those already working in the communities. When disaster strikes, they are ready to work, and are at the forefront of the emergency response.
Canadian Lutheran World Relief is a founding member of ACT. To learn more about ACT, visit www.actalliance.org.
Gifts from the Heart program reaches new heights
Supporters of Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) lifted the Gifts from the Heart program to new heights in 2009. Between September 1 and December 31, 2009, just over 4,000 people purchased items from the gift catalogue for a total value of $370,000. When compared to the same period in 2008, the number and value of donations increased by almost 135 percent.
The most popular gift—a pair of goats. Other frequently chosen items included a flock of chickens, training for teachers and fishnets. Funds raised through the Gifts from the Heart catalogue are used to support CLWR’s community development programming in Bolivia, Peru, Mozambique, Zambia and India.
CLWR extends its appreciation for the enthusiastic response to the Gifts for the Heart program. Please consider using the catalogue for other special occasions throughout the year, such as birthdays, graduations and anniversaries. To view the catalogue, please visit www.clwr.org (click on Donate Today). Purchases can be made online or by calling 1.800.661.2597 (or 204.694.5602 in the Winnipeg area).
Concerts raise funds for the Appeal for Haiti
The congregations of St. Matthew's Lutheran, Sudbury, and St. Andrew's Lutheran, Toronto, have raised close to $4,000 for the Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) Appeal for Haiti. The Toronto event, held on February 21, featured performances by Amy Sky, Maiko Watson and internationally acclaimed gospel singer Kay Morris.
At Sudbury, the St. Matthew's Senior Choir was joined by other local performers, including Sointu, Maria Saari, the Joy Choir and the North Wind sextet. Together, they entertained an audience of 130 people.
As of March 22, donations to the CLWR Appeal for Haiti stood at $1.1 million. About $300,000 of these funds are being used to support emergency relief work being carried out by CLWR’s primary partner, the Lutheran World Federation (also a member of ACT). Plans are being formulated to provide longer term recovery assistance, most likely through the construction of earthquake and hurricane proof housing.
Foodgrains Bank hosts climate change and hunger workshops
The Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB) will be offering a workshop on climate change and hunger at various locations throughout Southern Ontario beginning on April 7. The workshop will be led by Carol Thiessen, CFGB Policy Analyst.
Carol will help participants explore the connections between climate change and hunger by asking tough questions and offering her ideas on solutions. She will also look at what Canadians can do to help those most affected. Carol’s perspective is informed by her recent work in Zimbabwe and Mozambique, where she met with farmers and attended workshops on the relationship between climate change and hunger.
More information about the dates, times and places of the workshop can be found by visiting www.clwr.org. Canadian Lutheran World Relief is a founding member of the Foodgrains Bank.
Back to Weekly News Briefs...
One of the world’s largest humanitarian agencies, the ACT Alliance, was officially launched on March 24. ACT, a coalition of more than 100 church-based agencies working in international emergency assistance and development, has an annual budget of $1.5 billion USD.
ACT represents the unification of emergency relief organization ACT International and development body ACT Development; two Geneva-based coordinating offices.
ACT has been at the forefront of life-saving work in Haiti since January 12, the day the massive earthquake destroyed much of Port-au-Prince. On that day, nine ACT organizations were operating in Haiti and were able to swing into relief efforts immediately. As a global giant, ACT was able to assist survivors of the Chile earthquake six weeks after the Haiti earthquake.
The alliance works for the world’s poorest people, fighting the causes of human suffering and injustice. ACT members are those already working in the communities. When disaster strikes, they are ready to work, and are at the forefront of the emergency response.
Canadian Lutheran World Relief is a founding member of ACT. To learn more about ACT, visit www.actalliance.org.
Gifts from the Heart program reaches new heights
Supporters of Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) lifted the Gifts from the Heart program to new heights in 2009. Between September 1 and December 31, 2009, just over 4,000 people purchased items from the gift catalogue for a total value of $370,000. When compared to the same period in 2008, the number and value of donations increased by almost 135 percent.
The most popular gift—a pair of goats. Other frequently chosen items included a flock of chickens, training for teachers and fishnets. Funds raised through the Gifts from the Heart catalogue are used to support CLWR’s community development programming in Bolivia, Peru, Mozambique, Zambia and India.
CLWR extends its appreciation for the enthusiastic response to the Gifts for the Heart program. Please consider using the catalogue for other special occasions throughout the year, such as birthdays, graduations and anniversaries. To view the catalogue, please visit www.clwr.org (click on Donate Today). Purchases can be made online or by calling 1.800.661.2597 (or 204.694.5602 in the Winnipeg area).
Concerts raise funds for the Appeal for Haiti
The congregations of St. Matthew's Lutheran, Sudbury, and St. Andrew's Lutheran, Toronto, have raised close to $4,000 for the Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) Appeal for Haiti. The Toronto event, held on February 21, featured performances by Amy Sky, Maiko Watson and internationally acclaimed gospel singer Kay Morris.
At Sudbury, the St. Matthew's Senior Choir was joined by other local performers, including Sointu, Maria Saari, the Joy Choir and the North Wind sextet. Together, they entertained an audience of 130 people.
As of March 22, donations to the CLWR Appeal for Haiti stood at $1.1 million. About $300,000 of these funds are being used to support emergency relief work being carried out by CLWR’s primary partner, the Lutheran World Federation (also a member of ACT). Plans are being formulated to provide longer term recovery assistance, most likely through the construction of earthquake and hurricane proof housing.
Foodgrains Bank hosts climate change and hunger workshops
The Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB) will be offering a workshop on climate change and hunger at various locations throughout Southern Ontario beginning on April 7. The workshop will be led by Carol Thiessen, CFGB Policy Analyst.
Carol will help participants explore the connections between climate change and hunger by asking tough questions and offering her ideas on solutions. She will also look at what Canadians can do to help those most affected. Carol’s perspective is informed by her recent work in Zimbabwe and Mozambique, where she met with farmers and attended workshops on the relationship between climate change and hunger.
More information about the dates, times and places of the workshop can be found by visiting www.clwr.org. Canadian Lutheran World Relief is a founding member of the Foodgrains Bank.
