Message from Ruth Pearce, Chair, Global Outreach Committee

January 2010

We are all well aware of the devastating earthquake in Haiti, and wondering how we can help. Steve Lennon described that devastation Sunday morning in church. As chair of the Global Outreach Committee, Ruth Pearce then briefly provided information and cautions regarding donations. The following expands on that information.

1. Be aware that tax credits for charitable donations can be claimed only for donations given in Canada through Canadian sources. For example, donations given to UU UNO on United Nations Sunday had to be clearly addressed to CUC in Canada. CUC provided the receipts for our Canadian donations, and then forward the appropriate donation to our New York office.

Lotta Hitchmanova

By Ruth Pearce, April 2009

Lotta Hitschmanova might not recognize the Unitarian Service Committee (USC) she founded so long ago to help feed and clothe war-devastated Europe, but she would be proud of the latest incarnation of her dream and her untiring work. This is a special year, as we will be celebrating the 100th year of Lotta’s birth. It is an appropriate time to remember the past, to update to the present, and look forward to the future of the USC: the continuing legacy of this petite, remarkable woman.

At 56 Sparks St., David Rain is diligently working to collect memories of Lotta from Unitarian Universalist congregations all over Canada. Hopefully, these will be published as a further tribute. He has been surprised at the marvelous response he has already received - particularly from the west.

Indeed, there has been a long and memorable connection between our Unitarian Universalist congregation in Winnipeg and the Unitarian Service Committee of Canada, now better known as USC Canada. Indeed, this bond was firmly in place long before my husband, myself and our children (Ruth and Ken Pearce and six kids) joined the church during the 1960s. Thanks to Dr. Lotta Hitschmanova, both adults and children in the congregation were well informed of USC Canada’s programs, and many were actively involved in supporting one of Canada’s very first internationally-focused Non Governmental Organizations (NGO).

Our congregation held a celebration on November 22, 2009. Steve Lennon and Ruth Pearce coordinated this very special anniversary. Visit DrLotta.ca to find out more about this remarkable woman.