| Written by Carolyn Girard, The Catholic Register,
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Views : 257  |
 TORONTO - Catholics in the archdiocese of Toronto have responded overwhelmingly to the destructive January quake in Haiti, raising more than $1.1 million in just three weeks.
As of Feb. 2, the tally included donations made by schools, parishes and personal donations to ShareLife, the fundraising arm of the archdiocese.
“It’s been really overwhelming to see the outpouring of support,” said ShareLife spokesperson Bill Steinburg. “People are really touched by the dire straits that the Haitian people are in. They want to help and they want to make as meaningful an impact as possible.”
This includes organizations that, instead of donating money, called the archdiocese wondering which Catholic organizations they could connect with on the ground in Haiti. One example, Steinburg said, is an organization of homeopaths, which although not a Catholic group, had worked with the Sisters of St. Joseph in Haiti in the past.
“I understand that group has since gone down to Haiti,” he said.
Another generous caller, a woman with mobility issues, overwhelmed with seeing people who were having limbs amputated, contacted the archdiocese to spread the word that she was collecting devices to help them.
“She was determined to collect crutches and other mobility devices so that people that are in her circumstance, in Haiti, can have the same opportunities to maintain their mobility and their ability to live independently.”
The money collected by ShareLife will be sent to Caritas in Haiti, through the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace.
Steinburg said most of the parishes and schools are filling out forms to have their funds matched by the government.
And the fundraising will continue, he added. One event is a concert Feb. 7 at St. Bonaventure parish, 1300 Leslie St., starting at 3 p.m., featuring Dala, David Trafford and the Family Choir, alumni of St. Michael’s Choir School and others. The cost is $15.
To contribute, see www.sharelife.org or call 1-800-263-2595.
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