January 13, 2010

Contact: Dan Rene of Impact Strategies 703-869-1146 drene@impactstrategiesllc.com

THE LINKS, INC. PLEDGES RELIEF SUPPORT FOR HAITI
Statement from National President, Dr. Gwendolyn Lee

Washington, DC] [January 13, 2010] – As a result of the massive earthquake that struck near Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital yesterday, a humanitarian crisis has developed. In an effort to assist the victims and their families that have been impacted by this tragedy, The Links, Incorporated is calling its chapters to action to raise awareness and funds to help in the relief effort.

Dr. Gwendolyn Lee, the National President of The Links, Incorporated, stated:

“We are calling upon all of our Chapters to assist with the humanitarian relief effort in Haiti. With a disaster of this magnitude, the next few days will be critical, however, so will the next several months.

Long after the headlines disappear and the news cameras depart, Haiti will still bear scars from the devastation. Certainly, citizens of Haiti will face enormous challenges while beginning the daunting task of rebuilding their country and their lives. We are determined to offer support that will serve to permanently heal Haiti’s wounds and leave a long-term impact on its various communities. To this extent, we have mobilized our partnership with Habitat for Humanity International to assist us in providing disaster relief support to Haiti.

Habitat has worked with Haiti for over 26 years and will continue to serve the people there by helping to rebuild. Donations that we receive will be sent to Habitat to assist in building lasting homes for the children and families that have been rendered homeless. I encourage you to mobilize friends, families and community members to support our efforts in addressing this catastrophe.

Credit Card Donations:

To donate via debit/credit card, click here.

Check Donations:
To donate via check, please make checks payable to “The Links Foundation, Incorporated” and mail to “1200 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20005.” Please place “Haiti Disaster Relief” in the memo section of the check to designate your contribution.

I have also been contacted by several chapters that have sponsored schools or implemented programs in Haiti. In the coming days and weeks, we will provide you with information on how you can lend specific support to these chapter programs.

I assure you that, with your help, we will continue to provide sustainable solutions to the people of Haiti during their time of need.”

The Links, Incorporated is an international, women's non-profit, social welfare and service organization of over 12,000 members in 271 chapters across the United States, and the Bahamas. It was founded in 1946. From its inception, the organization's members have been developing and implementing programs that target issues affecting its members and communities. Community service has been the corner stone of the organization's outreach with members contributing more than two million documented hours of community service over the past three years. For the past 60 years, The Links, Incorporated has been internationally known for its programs that are focused on topics such as health, economics and education, youth, and policy efforts.

Please visit http://www.linksinc.org

For more information, photos from the event, or to schedule an interview, please contact Dan Rene at 703-869-1146 or drene@impactstrategiesllc.com