How to give to tsunami relief_11005

Posted: 1/07/05

How to give to tsunami relief

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

When it comes to disaster relief, Baptists are bargain shoppers. That's the driving thought behind Baptists seeking financial donations rather than supplies.

Money can be stretched if relief leaders buy supplies in South Asia rather than shipping materials around the globe, said Leo Smith, executive director of Texas Baptist Men.

All money donated through the Baptist General Convention of Texas will go toward the relief effort to buy items such as water purifiers, generators, cooking burners, pumps and transformers, he said.

Texas Baptist Men will buy food in Sri Lanka, as well as some cooking supplies. Buying within the region helps connect organizations to people inside the nation and helps boost the country's economy, Smith explained.

Update: H.R. 241, a bill awaiting President Bush's signature, would extend through Jan. 31 the time donors could claim a 2004 tax deduction for funds given for relief of tsunami victims.

The donation would have to be made in cash (donation of stocks would not qualify) and earmarked exclusively for tsunami disaster relief. Funds that provide relief for tsunami victims and for other disasters may not qualify.

Usually taxpayers must pay a tax-deductible expense by Dec. 31 to claim a deduction in that tax year.

These are avenues to support the Baptist disaster relief effort in South Asia:

The Baptist General Convention of Texas efforts, including Texas Baptist Men: Send checks designated "Tsunami relief" to the Texas Baptist Missions Foundation, 333 N. Washington Ave., Dallas 75246 or by credit card at (214) 828-5343.

Baptist World Aid: Send donations designated "Asian Tidal Wave Appeal" to Baptist World Aid, Baptist World Alliance, 405 N. Washington St., Falls Church, Va. 22046.

Texas Baptist Men only: Send checks designated "Sri Lanka relief" to Texas Baptist Men, 333 N. Washington Ave., Dallas 75246.

Baptist Child & Family Services: Send contributions designated "Children's International Relief Services" to Baptist Child & Family Services, 909 NE Loop 410 Ste. 800, San Antonio 78209.

Buckner Orphan Care International: Call (214) 914-1676. To forward financial gifts to Buckner ministry partners in Southeast Asia, visit www.buckner.org.

Southern Baptist Convention International Mission Board: Send checks designated "Asia Earthquake Disaster Relief" to the International Mission Board, P.O. Box 6767, Richmond, Va. 23230 or online at www.imb.org.

Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Global Missions: Send checks designated "Asian Response fund #17016" to P.O. Box 101699, Atlanta, Ga. 30392; or give online at http://www.thefellowship.info/Landing/Giving.icm.

Thai Dallas Baptist Church, a mission of Plymouth Park Baptist Church in Irving, also is collecting funds specifically to aid the relief effort in Thailand. For more information, contact Sani Panya at (972) 986-1781 or (972) 333-6657 or write to Thai Dallas Baptist Church, 1714 N. Story Rd., Irving 75061.

Gospel for Asia, a Carrollton-based mission funding thousands of native missionaries and churches throughout Asia. Baptist relief volunteers are closely cooperating with GFA in Sri Lanka and elsewhere: Send checks for Tsunami relief to Gospel For Asia, 1800 Golden Trail Ct., Carrollton 75010; e-mail info@gfa.org; call 1 (800) 946-2742; or visit the website at www.gfa.org.