Central Ohio Helping Those In Haiti

At this point, we’ve all heard the news about the 7.0 magnitude earthquake in Haiti this past Tuesday. The Red Cross is estimating there have been 45,000-50,000 deaths from the devastation. While rescue teams and doctors around the world are headed there to help, those of us in Columbus are wondering what we can do as well.

I had remembered that last year my church participated in a peanut butter drive for Haitians through Lifeline Christian Mission and decided to take a look at their website knowing that they had a ministry in Haiti. Lifeline is headquartered right here in Westerville, Ohio. Currently, their Director, Gretchen DeVoe is in Haiti with 57 team members. They were just a few miles from Port au Prince when the earthquake hit, where Lifeline has both an orphanage and school. All the team members are safe with only a few minor injuries and they are keeping in contact with the Columbus headquarters via satellite internet.

Lifeline Christian Mission is currently accepting financial contributions to assist with relief ministry to the earthquake victims on their website. They are also accepting donations of goods including peanut butter, canned meat, powdered baby formula, shoes and summer clothes at donation locations listed on their website, including their Westerville office and warehouse. To find out more about Lifeline and how you can help Haitians in need, or to volunteer your time, visit their website at www.lifeline.org.