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• Final Report on Typhoon Ketsana (Philippines) received from Caritas
• Haiti with love at St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Mission
• GTA Catholics mobilize to assist 225,000 people in need
• A Time to Give
• ShareLife 2010 campaign goal is $14.15 million
• Second Collection in Parishes for Haiti Earthquake Victims

Final Report on Typhoon Ketsana received from Caritas

On September 26, Tropical Storm Ketsana (Ondoy) struck the Philippines. Hundreds of people died as a result of the storms and an estimated 600,000 were displaced, many having lost their homes, their property and their livelihoods.The ShareLife office accepted monetary donations to assist in the provision of food, shelter, clean water, and medical and cooking supplies for those affected by the storm and flooding. ShareLife is channelling funds to Caritas Philippines (NASSA). Initially, NASSA provided aid for a total of 10,000 families (50,000 people) in the most seriously affected areas. A total of $303,400 was raised overall.

FINAL REPORT received as of April 8, 2010: The Emergency Relief Program of NASSA/Caritas Phils aimed at addressing the basic needs of the victims i.e. food items, non-food items, medicines and some shelter aid materials. These complemented the government and other welfare agencies’ assistance, which expanded the reach to the victims. Focus was given on 5 major areas severely affected.

Food: 11,500 families received food packs (rice, canned goods, etc). Rice (50 kg per family/month) were distributed to 10,000 families; and 20,800 people received bread.

Shelter/NFIs: Distribution of kitchen utensils, family-size blankets, sleeping mats, mosquito nets, candles, clothing, and hygiene kits to 11,500 families; 1,000 sacks of clothes were given out; 10;000 families given water jugs and 10,000 pairs of slippers distributed.

Health: Distribution of over 140,000 pcs of essential medicines for common diseases to 5 Social Action Centers in critical areas. Hundreds of boxes of donated goods were also received from various Filipino communities abroad.

Logistical support for the distribution of goods was given by the parish network and some related partners. The audited accounts show a closing programme balance of over $1million. A proposal for rehabilitation of houses in the dioceses of Malolos, Baguio, Tabuk and Bontoc-Lagawe is being prepared and will be submitted to the Caritas Confederation for the application of the remaining funds. Caritas Philippines wishes to thank all Caritas partners for their immediate and continued support. (back to top)

Haiti with love at St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Mission

Toronto (February, 2010) – St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Mission community- an ethnic Roman Catholic community from the southern State of Kerala in India- organized a major fundraising event for Haiti February 13 at the Philip Pocock Secondary School in Mississauga. The charity concert titled ‘For Haiti with love’ was performed free of cost by Dhwani, one of the prominent music groups consisting of local artists from the Indian subcontinent. Fr. James Cherickal, Pastor of St. Thomas Syro Malabar Mission welcomed the audience and thanked the Parish Council for organizing the event. Two hours of musical extravaganza captivated and enthralled about 800 cheering audience. A total of over $10,000 (to be matched $ for $ by the Canadian Government) was raised! Young or old, there was an overwhelming desire to help Haiti. A 6th grader, Maria Simon, wrote in the parish newsletter, “Let us help our brothers and sisters in Haiti who need our help”.

Fr. James said,  “This whole initiative was a reflection of human compassion and benevolence”. When the donation was handed over to Arthur Peters of ShareLife, to be matched dollar to dollar by the Canadian Government, it was a moment when St. Thomas and Catholics of Toronto joined hands with the world community in reaching out to the people of Haiti.
- written by Jolly Joseph, an active member of the St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Church. (back to top)

GTA Catholics mobilize to assist 225,000 people in need
Donor offers $500,000 to inspire generosity at home

Toronto (February 26, 2010) – Catholics in the Greater Toronto Area are turning their attention from Haiti to home with the launch of the $12 million annual ShareLife parish fundraising campaign, helping ShareLife agencies assist more than 225,000 people in need in our area. The annual fundraising campaign, conducted from February to July, supports more than 40 Catholic agencies in the area – primarily social service agencies. This campaign follows on the heels of a successful disaster relief appeal that raised nearly $4 million for the people of Haiti.

"Sadly, we see tragic circumstances and lives torn apart each day here at home. While they may not garner the same attention as natural disasters, we need to address the pain and suffering that is present in our neighbourhoods. The pressure on our agencies is greater than ever, with more than $800,000 in unmet needs identified this year,” said Michael McBride, volunteer chair of the ShareLife campaign. “

ShareLife social services agencies offer counselling and support to more than 225,000 people throughout the Greater Toronto Area, regardless of their background or beliefs. Last year, the ShareLife parish campaign raised $11.4 million and the overall campaign (including corporate, school and parish contributions) reached $13.7 million. The overall goal for the 2010 campaign is $14.15 million. “Our goal is ambitious but we are committed to helping address the practical needs of some of the most vulnerable, troubled and marginalized people in our midst,” said Arthur Peters, executive director of ShareLife.

Matching gift challenge offers additional incentive
Helping the 2010 ShareLife campaign toward its goal, an anonymous parishioner has stepped forward with a gift challenge. Through the ShareLife Community Challenge, all new and increased gifts to the campaign will be matched, up to a total of $500,000. “Donors are more familiar with gift matching programs following the intense publicity around the federal government’s matching commitment for Haitian relief. We’re extremely grateful to build on that awareness for our own campaign this year,” said Peters. “We hope our supporters will recognize the opportunity the ShareLife Community Challenge provides to increase the impact of their contributions, maximizing support for the critical work of our agencies.” Contributions from people who did not donate to the campaign in 2009 will be matched dollar-for-dollar. And, for donors who contributed last year, the amount of any increase over their 2009 gift will be matched. The ShareLife Community Challenge applies to all gifts made to ShareLife, through its parish, school and corporate campaigns, up to July 31, 2010. (back to top)

(February, 2010 | Excerpts from from The Catholic Register) In Charity in Truth Pope Benedict XVI described charity as “love received and given,” and as the 2010 ShareLife appeal is launched the pontiff’s words are being put to action. In the archdiocese of Toronto a parishioner who has donated anonymously in the past stepped forward on the eve of this campaign with a pledge to match up to $500,000 in new money collected by ShareLife. Not only will every dollar from first-time donors be matched, but every dollar above last year’s contribution by previous donors will also be doubled by this nameless benefactor.

The generous parishioner said they wanted to find a way to inspire others to reach for their wallets at a time when the need has never been greater among ShareLife’s 33 agencies. He may also have been influenced by a similar campaign launched by the federal government in the wake of the Haiti earthquake.

Coming so closely after the Haiti appeal, in which Toronto-area Catholics sent $3.7 million in earthquake relief to ShareLife, the organization faces a significant challenge in reaching its Lenten target of $12 million. That’s the same target as last year, when donations during a recession fell short of the goal by more than $500,000. The economy is improving but, as Haiti has demonstrated, so too have demands for charity.

Since 1976, ShareLife has evolved from being a local initiative established to fund 8 charities to an organization whose long reach not only touches 225,000 people each year in the archdiocese but countless others abroad, particularly when a disaster strikes. It has earned a reputation of respect and trust. ShareLife can be proud that 91% of funds raised goes back to charities.

ShareLife provides some overseas aid, but its primary objective is to help local agencies that work on behalf of families, children, teens, single parents, the elderly and clergy, as well as for immigrants, refugees and people with special needs. ShareLife provides a valuable service when a disaster strikes. It is thankful to be regarded as a trusted guardian of Catholic charity, regardless of the cause, but ShareLife’s primary mandate is to provide care closer to home.

So it is essential that all those who have been watching tragedy unfold in Haiti now look in their own backyard and witness the need for help in our local communities. This year, there is the additional incentive of a $500,000 matching pool of funds to be tapped into. So be generous. (back to top)

(February, 2010 | Excerpts from The Catholic Register) After a tremendous campaign to help victims of the earthquake in Haiti, ShareLife has switched gears to now help those in its own backyard. ShareLife, which raises funds for more than 30 agencies in the archdiocese, kicked off its annual fundraising campaign on Feb. 20 with special collections at Masses throughout the weekend plus a new incentive. An anonymous parishioner has pledged to match up to $500,000 in new and increased gifts to the 2010 ShareLife campaign. So, if you gave $50 last year, but increase that to $75 for 2010, your extra $25 will be matched. If you didn’t donate to ShareLife in 2009, your full donation in 2010 will be matched.

Peters said he is excited about the new incentive because of ShareLife’s growing needs.“This year the social service agencies indicated over $800,000 in unmet needs. That could be addressed with more funding.”  Peters hopes the generosity of the anonymous donor will inspire others to help ShareLife in meeting these needs, whether it be added beds to health facilities, extended operation hours at many of the agencies or new programs.

But Peters has seen abundant generosity from Toronto’s Catholics, starting with the fundraising for victims of the Indonesian tsunami six years ago, where more than $4.6 million in relief aid was raised, and then an increase of $300,000 to the ShareLife’s annual campaign that same year.

“This year, our Catholic community has been very generous to our brothers and sisters in Christ in Haiti, responding to the tremendous tragedy of the earthquake and the aftermath of the earthquake and helping survivors and people. Our final numbers show that parishioners raised more than $3 million for Haiti.” The parish goal for the annual campaign is $12 million again this year, whereas the overall goal, which includes donations from schools, the corporate campaign and employees, has increased to $14.15 million. (back to top)

Second Collection in Parishes for Haiti Earthquake Victims

(January 13, 2010) Late night on Tuesday, January 12, 2010, the Caribbean nation of Haiti was hit by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake, its strongest in more than 200 years, causing massive damage and loss of lives. An estimated three million people may have been affected by the quake and aftershocks are still being felt. Tens of thousands of people appear to have lost their homes and many perished in several collapsed buildings. As rescue efforts continue and emergency response teams work with the victims of this disaster, relief efforts are underway around the world.  

The ShareLife Office is accepting monetary donations to support disaster relief efforts in Haiti assisting in the provision of food, shelter, clean water, and medical supplies for those affected by the earthquake. Working through the Catholic Church’s official international relief network, Caritas Internationalis, funds are being channelled to Caritas Haiti, which runs 200 medical clinics in the country. ShareLife does not apply any administrative fees to humanitarian relief contributions, ensuring as much money as possible is directed toward assistance of those in crisis. Catholic partners will be present in both the short and long term, assisting with the rebuilding efforts that will continue for months and years to come.

Update: As news of the devastation of the 7.0-magnitude earthquake continues to trickle out of the country, the Archdiocese of Toronto’s charitable fundraising arm, ShareLife, is accepting financial contributions from the Catholic community through local churches, by phone and through its website (www.sharelife.org). In addition, Archbishop Thomas Collins has requested that a special second collection be held at each of the 224 parishes in the archdiocese during the weekend of January 23/24, 2010. (back to top)