Meadville Lombard Students take up Collection for Haiti

January 20, 2010

Andrew Mertz, a Master of Divinity student, has offered to match donations given for disaster relief in Haiti, up to five hundred dollars.  The funds donated to Meadville Lombard for Haiti relief will go to the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) which focuses on serving the underrepresented and collaborating with local leaders for long-term solutions.

Mertz traveled to Haiti in 2000 and 2001 as a part of a medical support mission to the small mountain village of Leon.  The group photo is his team in 2000 (Mertz is on the far left).  "The mission trip was a gift for the change that happened in me," said Mertz.  "My experience ten years ago informed my faith and gave insight to all the gifts I had in my life.  It provided context for the challenges people face every day."

It is because of Mertz's experience in Haiti that he wishes to make a meaningful contribution to the relief efforts of the UUSC there.  Donations can be made through the school's on-line giving page (indicate 'for disaster relief' in the comments section), or through cash or check, with 'disaster relief' written in the memo line.

Mail checks to:

Meadville Lombard
Attn: Haiti
5701 S. Woodlawn Ave.
Chicago, IL  60637