Bishop J. Kevin Boland called on the 79 Catholic parishes in South Georgia to take up a special collection to aid the Haiti earthquake victims.

In an email letter to pastors on January 15, Bishop Boland said the proceeds from the collection will be given to Catholic Relief Services, which is the official overseas relief and development agency of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Bishop Boland serves on the CRS board. CRS has a permanent presence in Haiti.

Bishop Boland asked that the special collection be taken up between now and the beginning of Lent on February 17. He said the Diocese of Savannah will match the collection with $30,000.

Contributions may also be sent directly to CRS. Here is the contact information:

Call 1-877-HELP-CRS, donate online at www.crs.org, or send a check to Catholic Relief Services, P.O. Box 17090, Baltimore, MD 21203-7090. In the memo portion of your check, please write: Haiti Earthquake

Read Bishop Boland's letter to pastors.

Below are CRS press releases with update on the status of the relief efforts in Haiti.

• Catholic Relief Services Directing Massive Aid Operation in Haiti; Distributing Food to Hundreds of Thousands
• Baltimore-Based Catholic Relief Services and University of Maryland Mobilize Major Medical Response in Haiti
• Catholic Relief Services Helps Set Up Displaced Camp On Port-Au-Prince Golf Course, Gets Haitian Hospital Running
• Aid From Catholic Relief Services Reaching Haitians