Posted: Jan. 27, 2010

Catholic, Lutheran, Episcopal. Wauwatosa churches of all faiths are addressing the same topic: how to help the people of Haiti, suffering from the effects of an earthquake that has resulted in more than 150,000 deaths in that country's capital city alone.

Most collected money during Sunday worship services, and many will continue to do so in coming weeks, knowing that the devastation will be long-lasting.

Calvary Memorial United Church of Christ has taken up a collection for a Milwaukee man's family, who lost everything when the earthquake hit.

Joseph Seide sent his entire paycheck to his 21 relatives, including his 100-year-old grandmother, who are now homeless and living on the streets. Learning of his generosity and knowing that his family would need much more help, a co-worker who belongs to the church recommended they make Seide's family their charity for the next month.

Seide came to speak during worship services the past two Sundays.

"This is the only way I can help my family," he said.

On the first weekend, Calvary Memorial members gave $740, which already has been wired to his family for the purchase of clean water and food. The rice they bought fed his family as well as numerous neighbors.

When the congregation learned how far their donations went, "it really brought it all home to our members," said Sandy Schroederus, a member of the church's mission committee. The next step is to raise enough money to get the family out of Port-au-Prince and find them shelter and land so they can become self-sufficient, likely through farming.

Efforts widespread

Other churches in Wauwatosa, including St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church, Trinity Episcopal Church and St. Bernard Parish, have also collected large dollar amounts for Haitian relief.

For now, collecting money is about all that most local churches can do to help.

"It's confusing and chaotic down there," Mike Naumann, Mount Zion Lutheran Church youth director, said. "There's no one organization in charge, so it's hard to coordinate aid."

At Mount Zion, middle school students decided to organize a three-week collection. At the end of confirmation classes, students gather and pray, and "this time the kids asked that they pray for the people of Haiti," he said. After saying a few words, they started discussing how they could help the people facing tragedy so far away.

Texting relief

In addition, church pastors believe some of their members may have also donated money online or by texting with their cell phones instead of through church collections.

Likewise, the Wauwatosa-based Salvation Army of Greater Milwaukee is urging local residents to use texting. A $10 donation can be made by texting "HAITI to 52000."

"We're asking for money to purchase the items we're going to need," said Tom Thuecks, disaster services director for the local chapter. "At this point (texting) is just easier because it's more streamlined."

For more than half a century, Salvation Army has supported churches, orphanages and hospitals in Haiti, so the organization is collecting money to buy rations, Thuecks said.