CHICAGO, IL (January 15, 2009) – One online gift of $10,000 helped drive the total online contributions for Covenant World Relief’s Haiti Relief Fund to more than $40,000 today.

This morning’s large gift, one of 267 received since the fund was created 48 hours ago, brought the total of online gifts received to $41,345, reports David Husby, director of Covenant World Relief (CWR).

“We also are receiving so many comments from concerned people saying they want to help, what can they do?” Husby observes. “Think of it – they are being so generous with their financial support, but still want to do more.” 

The response is not surprising, given the historical generosity of Covenanters who in years past donated more than $1 million each to the Hurricane Katrina and tsunami disaster relief funds.

Covenant World Relief works with numerous partners around the world who have established networks and infrastructure that can deliver immediate relief following disasters. Within hours of the devastation cause by the earthquake in Haiti, CWR funds were already at work through a partnership with World Relief International. Covenant World Relief maintains a crisis response fund with World Relief International that the agency can immediately tap to purchase and provide basic necessities like food, water and medicine.

A new online giving tool has enhanced the effectiveness of online giving through the Evangelical Covenant Church website at CovChurch.org. In early years, donors had to navigate through a cumbersome process tied to the online Covenant Bookstore to make a donation. “We didn’t have the modern online giving tools available today, so we adapted the online retail store’s credit card purchasing system to submit a donation instead of payment for a book or other product,” notes Don Meyer, who directs communications activities for the ECC. “It worked, but it was not ideal. The new system is what today’s donors expect to find.”

To make an online donation to the CWR Haiti Disaster Relief Fund, click here. To make a donation by check, make it payable to the Evangelical Covenant Church, earmark it for Haiti Relief, and mail it to the Evangelical Covenant Church, 5101 N. Francisco Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60625.

“I would like to thank everyone for their generous outpouring of support and generous donations for our efforts to help the people of Haiti,” Husby said in expressing his appreciation for the strong and quick response.

“We are working with our partners on the ground to offer immediate assistance to rescue efforts and relief for those who continue to suffer in the aftermath of this great tragedy,” he added. “I can assure everyone that Covenant World Relief will be working in Haiti over the long term, continuing to offer relief, rehabilitation and transformational development assistance, working in collaboration with our partners, Covenant World Mission, and others.”