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Girl Scouts can officially raise money for Haiti earthquake relief


Girl Scouts of the USA adopts a special rule to allow fundraising efforts

JANUARY 22 2010

From a memo from Kathy Cloninger, National CEO, Girl Scouts of the USA

The outpouring of support for the people of Haiti in the wake of the devastating earthquake last week has been remarkable, and Girl Scouts across the country have pitched in to help in many different ways. We know, however, that after natural disasters like these, sending funds is often the best way to help.

Given the catastrophic events in Haiti, the Executive Committee unanimously adopted, and the National Board this morning ratified, the following:

THAT the Executive Committee of Girl Scouts of the USA’s National Board of Directors, on the National Board’s behalf, adopts a special rule of order to allow girl members to engage in activities, which may include the direct solicitation of money, from January 14 through September 8, 2010, to support emergency relief for the January 12 earthquake disaster in Haiti. Monies raised shall be contributed only to organizations on the approved list of agencies (listed below); additions to the list shall be approved by the National President and CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA.

This now makes it possible for our girls to raise much needed funds for relief efforts in Haiti. Please take note that the money our girls raise can be contributed only to those agencies on the list below. Much of Haiti is in ruins and a second major earthquake struck the country on Wednesday. The loss of life and suffering has been heartbreaking. I hope that this action by the National Board will serve as yet another opportunity for all of us as a Movement to do what we can to help the people of Haiti in their time of need.

List of Approved Agencies

The American Red Cross

      The American Red Cross is accepting donations through its International Response Fund.

Pan American Development Foundation

      The foundation is encouraging people to donate through its Web site at

      www.PanAmericanRelief.org.

UNICEF

UNICEF requests donations for relief for children in Haiti via their Haiti Earthquake Fund. You can also call 1-800-4UNICEF.

Oxfam

      You can donate to online at Oxfam America at www.oxfamamerica.org.

Save The Children

      Save the Children has launched an emergency relief effort for Haiti,

      Donate to Save the Children.

Mercy Corps

      Donate online, call 1-888-256-1900 or send checks to:

      Mercy Corps Haiti Earthquake Fund

      Dept NR

      PO Box 2669

      Portland, OR 97208

Doctors Without Borders

      Doctors Without Borders has set up clinics to treat people in Haiti. Donate to Doctors    

      Without Borders.

  • The UN World Food Programme

      The UN World Food Programme is gathering all available resources to deliver   

      food to the recently homeless and impoverished in Haiti. Donations can be

      made through www.wfp.org/donate/haiti

  • CARE

      CARE is deploying emergency team members to Port-au-Prince to assist in recovery

      efforts. It’s focusing its efforts on rescuing children who may still be trapped in schools

      that collapsed. Donate to CARE

  • The International Rescue Committee

      The International Rescue Committee is deploying an emergency response team to      Haiti.

      Donate to the IRC Haiti Crisis Fund.

  • World Vision

      World Vision has more 370 staff members in the Haiti. Donate to World Vision.

  • United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF)

      This fund is used for emergencies like the earthquake in Haiti. Donate online.

# # #

Media contact: Marianne Addy, VP of Communications
(504) 733-8220, ext. 2226 or maddy@gsle.org  or Cathy Pottschmidt, Public Relations Specialist, at (225) 927-8947, ext. 1238 or cpottschmidt@gsle.org

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