United Methodist contributions to tsunami relief in the Indian Ocean region reached $2 million yesterday (January 10).

The figure incorporates the total of what has been given by online and telephone credit card donations but only part of the boxes of checks received, according to Roland Fernandes, treasurer of the General Board of Global Ministries, the parent organization to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR).

“We have deposited checks dated through December 31, 2004 totaling $755,000,” Mr. Fernandes said. “We continue to receive checks for 2004. We have begun to process mail contributions for 2005. Hundreds of checks are being received each day.”

Mr. Fernandes also offered a reminder that the Internal Revenue Service of the U.S. government will allow January, 2005, donations to tsunami relief to be counted as 2004 charitable contributions.

“Donors can decide whether they want their contribution to go into the 2004 tax year or apply it to 2005, so long as the gift is made by January 31,” he said.

	See Also... Topic: Christian love |  Donations |  Emergencies |  GBGM news |  International affairs |  Natural disasters |  UMCOR |  United Methodist Church |  Advance |  Methodism |  Geographic Region: World |  Source: GBGM Press Releases
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Date posted: Jan 11, 2005