Hounds for Haiti

NEWS RELEASES

SOO GREYHOUNDS HOCKEY CLUB

BOSTON PIZZA

ALGOMA UNIVERSITY

CONGRESSMAN BART STUPAK 1ST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN

**************************** Hounds for Haiti this weekend

The Soo Greyhounds Hockey Club is excited to announce that they have partnered with the local chapter of the Canadian Red Cross to organize “Hounds for Haiti” this coming weekend.

Fundraising efforts will take place at both Greyhound home games (Friday vs Brampton, Saturday vs Barrie) in which fans will be able to make donations to assist with the crisis in Haiti.

Donations will be able to be made at a table set up on the Essar Centre concourse in section 110.

As part of the weekend events, the Greyhounds organization has issued their fans a challenge.

For every dollar donated (up to a weekend total of $5,000), the team will match that amount.

The Greyhounds thank everyone in advance for their support of such a worthwhile event.

Funds raised from these events will be used to provide emergency shelter, food, water and other essentials for those impacted by this disaster and will be used to support communities most in need.

For more information on the Canadian Red Cross, and their participation in the Haiti relief efforts or any of their causes, please visit www.redcross.ca

Additional 57 seats now available for all games

In a separate announcement, the Greyhounds have confirmed that additional seats have now become available for the team’s remaining home games at the Essar Centre.

Fifty-seven (57) seats went on-sale Wednesday morning for the new in-fill seats that were recently installed into the facility.

The new seats occupy the northeast, southeast and southwest corners of the Essar Centre.

Tickets are available through the remaining home games and can be purchased three ways: by visiting the Essar Centre Box Office, ordering online at www.essarcentre.ca or calling toll-free at 1-866-775-9422.

**************************** Boston Pizza pasta and salad buffet

You are invited to Boston Pizza Sault Ste. Marie, Monday, January 25 from 5 to 9 p.m.

Come out and enjoy a delicious pasta and salad buffet and support the Haiti earthquake relief effort.

We will have prizes and draws throughout the evening, along with some entertainment.

Come out for a good time and support a great cause! 

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at Boston Pizza or the Red Cross office. 

**************************** Music, poetry and spoken word for Haiti

SAULT STE. MARIE - Haiti is a world away, but they will be singing, playing, reciting, and speaking this Friday to raise funds for disaster relief in the devastated country.

The Music, Poetry, and Spoken Word for Haiti will take place this Friday, January 22, 2010 at 7 p.m. in the Shingwauk Hall Auditorium at Algoma University, with all proceeds going to Partners in Health.

The highlight of the evening will be an address by guest speaker Pastor Cebien Alexis, M.D., a resident of Haiti for 40 years, who left the country on the day of the tragic quake.

Pastor Alexis has spent much of his time in Haiti establishing orphanages and schools, and promoting sustainable development throughout the country.

He will be at Algoma to speak about the current situation, and to share his perspective.

He will be joined at the fundraiser by local poets, musicians, writers, and artists who will come together for Haiti.

The event, a joint effort by university students, faculty, and staff, is supported by the Faculty Support Committee of AUFA, Community Economic and Social Development Department, Social Welfare Department, The English, Fine Arts and Music Department, The Biology Department, the CESD Club, Algoma University Geography and Environment Club, Indigenous Education Services, SASA, Sault Youth Association, Unity in Diversity Sault Ste Marie, Fair Trade Algoma, Shingwauk University, AUSU - Local 82 Canadian Federation of Students, WUSC Local Committee, Cinema Politica Sault Ste. Marie, Proud Algoma, Algoma University Student Food Bank, Algoma Multicultural Students Association, and the External Relations Department.

**************************** House passes bill to promote charitable donations to Haiti

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation Wednesday that would allow individuals to claim donations to the relief efforts in Haiti as an itemized deduction on their 2009 tax return, instead of waiting to claim it on their 2010 return.

U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) co-sponsored H.R. 4462, which passed the House with bi-partisan support.

The bill also included a provision allowing those who donated to relief efforts via text message to use their phone bill as proof of donation.

“In the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti we have seen an incredible outpouring of aid, not only from governments, NGOs and faith-based organizations, but also from private citizens across northern Michigan and the entire nation,” Stupak said. “The donations, both large and small, from these individuals are playing a crucial role in saving lives and rebuilding devastated infrastructure. This bill will help those who have given, and hopefully encourage others to contribute to relief efforts in Haiti.”

On January 12, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the country of Haiti, killing tens of thousands to date, and affecting nearly three million people.

The earthquake also devastated Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti, destroying the city’s infrastructure including ports, the airport, the presidential palace and the headquarters of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti.

A series of dangerous aftershocks, including the most recent at 6.1 magnitude on January 20, have continued to affect the region and hinder rescue efforts. In January of 2005, Congress enacted similar tax provision for individuals that made charitable contributions to victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami that occurred in December, 2004.

The House also passed a resolution Thursday expressing condolences and solidarity with the people of Haiti.

The resolution commends the efforts of those who have provided relief and assistance to affected communities, including the Haitian-American community, the United Nations, and men and women of the governments of Haiti and the United States.

“I commend the efforts of the State Department, the Department of Defense and United States Agency for International Development for their quick response to send crews to Haiti for search and rescue missions and assistance providing medical care and food to the victims of this tragedy,” Stupak said. “My thoughts and prayers are with those who are suffering from the loss of loved ones, their homes and all who have been affected by this horrific event.”

*************************