Help Reiser Relief Help Haiti - Donate on Nov 15 - Give to the Max Day

Reiser Relief invites you to join in a day of generous giving designed to support nonprofit organizations across Minnesota. On November 15 GiveMN.org will sponsor their forth annual, 24-hour online Internet fundraiser called Give to the Max Day.

You have the opportunity to make a huge difference for the poor in Haiti. With your help Reiser Relief can continue to provide essential services to many Haitian families in their day-to-day efforts for survival.

These services include providing fresh water, stocking food centers, funding education, supporting the poor elderly.

One of our goals is to keep Father Reiser’s legacy alive by continuing to fund his projects in Haiti and be involved in helping to fund additional much-needed projects in Haiti as Father would have done.

Click this link and donate on Nov 15 to Reiser Relief  - Bringing Hope to Haiti

You can pre-schedule your online donation by logging into "Your GiveMN account" from November 1-14.  This feature allows donors to schedule their gift ahead of time to be processed on Give to the Max Day, November 15, just like scheduling household bill payments or other transactions.  

Scheduled donations are deducted from donors' credit or debit card at 12 a.m. on November 15 and will be eligible for the 12 a.m. to 1 a.m. Golden Ticket, as well as helping their nonprofit advance on the leaderboard. We hope this new feature will help donors take part even if their calendars are full on November 15.

To schedule a donation Click this link and donate on Nov 1 to 14 - Reiser Relief - Bringing Hope to Haiti and then look to the right on page  - as seen by image to the right to setup this automatic feature. 

If you are unable to make a contribution on-line, you can mail your contribution noting “GTMD” on the memo line.  Reiser Relief Inc. PO Box 48096 Coon Rapids, MN 55448.

It’s hard to believe that a year ago at this time, our beloved friend and spiritual leader, Father Bernard Reiser, was still alive and actively involved with his mission he held so close to his heart, Reiser Relief. Father was pleased with the progress that had been made in Haiti, but he had so much more he still wanted to accomplish in the poverty-stricken country.

With the help of some of his dedicated supporters, Reiser Relief is making a difference every day: To provide relief, hope and dignity to the poor, elderly and homeless people of Haiti.

This exciting, one-day event allows thousands of Minnesotans to come together and support their favorite organizations. Last year, in 24 hours, more than $13 million was raised for non-profits across the state. Give to the Max Day also provides opportunities for your donation dollars to go further. Through prize grants, your donation on November 15 could help the Reiser Relief win an additional $1,000; $5,000; and potentially $10,000 gift.

Look for Reiser Relief on the Main and Medium sized nonprofit leaderboards where you can join in the friendly competition as you watch nonprofits jockey for position in four leaderboard categories (All nonprofits, medium nonprofits, small nonprofits, colleges & universities). As you watch your favorite nonprofit inch up the leaderboard, maybe an extra donation or two from you could help them win prize grant money by placing somewhere in the top 10.

Make your gift go even further! GiveMN’s Give to the Max Day amplifies your giving impact. Learn the different ways you can "MAXimize your donations for one day only!

24 Golden Tickets - During Give to the Max Day, one donor will be randomly chosen every hour by GiveMN to have $1,000 added to their donation. It’s a Golden Opportunity for Reiser Relief to further

support Haitians in need.

Here is how it works: Throughout the Nov. 15th event, an individual donor will be selected from donations made within that given hour, between the hours of 12:00 a.m. and 11:59 p.m.

Even donors who give $10 will be entered into these random drawings, and if you choose to give $10 every hour, you will have 24 chances to win an additional $1,000 donation for Reiser Relief.

Another example: if you choose to make 24 separate $10 donations within a specific hour (3:00 a.m. - 3:59 a.m.) you will have 24 chances to have a $1,000 added to your donation for Reiser Relief for that hour. ONE $240 donation would have ONE chance.

So basically, entry for the Golden Ticket contest is based on individual transactions. There's no limit to how many times a donor or nonprofit can win these bonus dollars during the entire event.

Attention night owls: Giving activity is lighter at night and in the wee hours of the morning. Consider donating to Reiser Relief during these hours.

Super-size Golden Ticket - Ten-Grand Golden Ticket - One donor’s contribution will be randomly drawn by GiveMN at the close of the event 11:59 p.m. from ALL CONTRIBUTIONS TRANSACTIONS made during the 24-hour period to have $10,000 added to their donation.

Our Mission

-To provide relief, hope and dignity to the poor, elderly and homeless people of Haiti.

-To provide relief from malnutrition and water born illness by providing food and clean water to women, children and elderly living in slums and impoverished situations.

-To provide hope for the poorest children and orphans by funding education and housing.

-To strive, by the Grace and Greatness of God, to be the hands and feet of Christ in serving the most vulnerable Haitians.

 

Video from our May 2012 Haiti Trip  

May 2012 Blog Writings - Haiti Trip
May 20 - Hait Day 1 -  May 23-Water Truck -  May 24 So Many things
May 24 RESILIENCY  - May 26 MINISTRY

My sister, Joyce, and I, Father’s nieces, made our first visit to Haiti in May and at this time, Joyce is currently leading a mission trip in Haiti. We were able to see firsthand some of the many projects Father Reiser and Reiser Relief are part of in Haiti. We were thrilled to see all that has been done (good things ARE happening in Haiti!), but extremely touched and saddened to see how much suffering still takes place there on a daily basis. The trip strengthened our belief that we at Reiser Relief CAN make a difference in Haiti -- a difference to the MAX.

Thank you for participating as we work together to provide relief to the neediest people in the Western Hemisphere. We thank you for your interest and support in helping us spread HOPE to the men, women, and children of Haiti. Any contribution you can make is greatly appreciated.

Ann Brau

President, Reiser Relief

http://www.ReiserRelief.org

Father Reiser’s niece

Watch a 4-minute video created in 2009: An Introduction on how to make and track your a donations on GiveMN by Exec. Dir. Dana Nelson

Click this link and donate on Nov 15 to Reiser Relief Bringing Hope to Haiti

Public Service Announcement for Give to the Max Day

Catholic Writers Guild awards the Seal of Approval to “Reiser’s Ramblings" Book

On July 27, 2011 “Reiser’s Ramblings,” a Catholic Christian spiritual life book by Father Bernard Reiser and illustrated by Mark Sanislo has been awarded the Catholic Writers Guild the Seal of Approval.

About the Seal of Approval

The Catholic Writers Guild (CWG )Seal of Approval (SoA) assures Catholic bookstore owners and readers with an endorsement that the book supports Catholic beliefs and values.

The CWG began the SoA after discussions with Catholic bookstore owners who indicated they often did not have time to fully evaluate books and thus often did not stock books that came from unknown writers or smaller presses.

The SoA is not a critique of a work, but rather an assurance of its "Catholicity" and that neither the work nor its author go against the Mageristerium authority of the Catholic Church. They evaluate for Catholicity, not for writing style or quality. The book is evaluated by three to five members of the SoA Committee, who are members in good standing in the CWG.

Just what are some people saying about Reiser’s Ramblings?

Midwest Book Review July 12, 2011 - A story of a good man with the drive to bring more good through the world, highly recommended!

Janette Fuller July 26, 2011 - Father Reiser Writes With Passion, Conviction and Confidence. Join me on a spiritual journey that is inspiring, illuminating and heartening....I want to emphasize that this is not a book exclusively for those of the Roman Catholic faith. This book is for me and it is for anyone who is seeking a closer personal relationship with Jesus Christ. "Reiser's Ramblings" will make a wonderful addition to your Christian library.

Spiritual Memoirs of a Catholic Priest - These ramblings memoirs are composed of moving, funny, and profound vignettes that blur the line between sermon and a story. Like a homily, father will share a little scripture with a story that helps readers understand that verse and, even more, learn to live it.

Over 2600 books have been sold since its release in June 2010 and all profits from the sale are being used for Haitian relief efforts sponsored by Reiser Relief, Inc. These “Ramblings” are a collection of the best columns written over the past three decades by Fr. Bernard Reiser who takes on everyday topics such as family, kindness, gratitude, prayer, helping others, and staying focused on what’s important in life. Fr. Reiser’s essays are rich in symbolism, wise in understanding of human nature and take your heart on a spiritual journey.

About The Catholic Writers' Guild
The Catholic Writers' Guild is a professional group of writers, artists, editors, illustrators, and allies whose mission is to build a vibrant Catholic literary culture. CWG is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All of their funding goes toward educational and promotional programs for Catholic authors and their sharing of Catholic values.

The Catholic Writers Guild Inc.
PO Box 39326
Indianapolis, IN 46239
http://www.catholicwritersguild.org/

About the Author
Father Reiser is a "retired" Catholic priest; Reiser brings a seminary degree with a major in theology and 50+ years of ordained experience to his writing. He has volunteered his time to parishes in and around the Twin Cities of Minnesota. Father Bernard Reiser was born in 1924 and was ordained to the priesthood on June 4, 1949. His first was assigned to St. Mary of the Lake parish in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. In 1964, Archbishop Leo Binz asked Father Reiser to start a parish in the quickly-growing Minneapolis suburb of Coon Rapids located in Anoka County

Under Father Reiser’s leadership, Epiphany grew to become one of the largest Catholic communities in the state. In addition to a spacious sanctuary, the Epiphany campus includes an elementary school, a Perpetual Adoration chapel, a senior housing complex, an assisted living facility, a cemetery, and several outdoor shrines.

Reiser Relief Inc. is a volunteer run non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation founded by Father Bernard Reiser, who has been involved with Haiti outreach programs for over 13 years; Bringing Hope To Haiti. Reiser Relief is based in Coon Rapids, MN and its mission is to help the impoverished people of the Caribbean country of Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere

In January 2011 - Fr. Reiser was selected by the local NBC-affiliate station Kare 11, as one of its “Eleven Who Care’ - http://reiserrelief.org/eleven-who-care.html

Publisher: Reiser Relief Inc. Publication Date: June 2010. Genres: Christian Living › Faith, Spirituality › Inspirational, Catholicism › Self Help. Illustrator: Mark Sanislo ISBN: 978-0-615-36478-0. Paperback: 268pp. Retail Price: $16.95. Editor: Jacqueline Hilgert


“Reiser’s Ramblings” is available online at http://www.amazon.com and Minnesota retail locations : Epiphany Catholic Church Gift Center, Coon Rapids; St. George Catholic Books, Blaine; St. Maximilian Catholic Books, Elk River; Heaven Bound Catholic Books, St. Michael; and St. Nicholas Church, New Market.; Saint Patrick's Guild St. Paul.

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Local Coon Rapids Groups Still Reaching Out to Haiti Quake Victims

1-14-2011 - Coon Rapids CTN NEWS Video
Watch 7:50 minutes into the video for Reiser Relief news clip on Haiti


Local Groups Still Reaching Out to Haiti Quake Victims
Written by Stephanie Ring
Friday, January 14, 2011 03:43 PM
City of Coon Rapids Minnesota, Cable News Network


COON RAPIDS, Minn. -- This week marks the one year anniversary of the earthquake in Haiti. The natural disaster killed more than 300,000 people and left much of the country in ruins.

Several local organizations have helped in Haiti over the past year but volunteers say progress is slow. Still, that hasn't dampened their spirits to keep helping.


"I didn't see a whole lot of clean up going on."

Shelley Mannella has travelled to Haiti two times since the earthquake as a volunteer for Reiser Relief, a non-profit organization that helps the country's poor.

"It was bad before but now it's bad on top of bad."

Mannella says much of the rubble remains in the country. She's headed to Haiti again in just over a week again.

"I don't expect to see anything different."

Estimates are at least one million people have been displaced from their homes because of the quake.

Mannella says, "I know people are afraid to go back inside, even if they have a house, they're afraid to sleep inside."

Thousands of people are living in tents and organizations like Reiser Relief and others are bringing in fresh water for people to drink. And Coon Rapids based Feed My Starving Children provided 58 million pre-packaged meals to Haiti last year. That's double what it normally sends.

FMSC Executive Director Mark Crea says, "The need is still great. We can't this coming year send less food to Haiti than we did last year. We need to send as much or more actually so we need your help again."

The non-profit hopes that Americans will keep their hearts and their wallets open as they continue to send food to the country. And for Carole Stufflebeam, a nurse from Prior Lake who is working in an orphanage and clinic in Haiti, she says food shipped from the U.S. is helping to fill a void for people who simply can't provide for themselves.

Stufflebeam says, "The amount of people that are still left in camps, there is no way these people can make money and there's no way they can do a garden and so what direction do they go? And that is for a long period of time, we're going to have to see what we can do to meet those needs until we can get these people independent."

Along with a government in transition, removing the rubble is the other largest barrier right now. There's not enough heavy equipment in Haiti and the cost is staggering.

For more information on the Haiti earthquake or to help the victims, check out the following links:

Reiser Relief

Feed My Starving Children

American Red Cross

Fr. Bernard Reiser on Kare 11 TV - Eleven Who Care

Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN – January 25, 2011 - , we are pleased to announce that President and Founder of Reiser Relief Inc., Father Bernard Reiser is the recipient of the 2011 Eleven Who Care program.

KARE 11 Television of Minneapolis and Saint Paul Minnesota created The Eleven Who Care program that started 27 years ago to recognize the outstanding volunteers that serve our community with overall spirit of community volunteerism.

Each year hundreds of volunteers are nominated for the award and the Eleven Who Care Board of Governors select the eleven to be honored. The honorees represent the variety of opportunities available in our community. They truly exemplify the belief that one person can make a difference.

Fr. Reiser is a long-time resident of Coon Rapids, MN and has been a priest 61 years, Ordained in 1949, attended St. Paul Seminary. Fr. Reiser was an associate Pastor of Saint Mary of the Lake, White Bear Lake for 15 years; Founding Pastor of Epiphany Parish in Coon Rapids for 46 years. In 1964, Father Bernard Reiser founded the Church of the Epiphany in Coon Rapids, Minnesota. He bought 70 acres of farm land and it grew from 150 to 5000 families and adding grade school for kindergarten through eighth grade. Epiphany church is one of the largest parishes in the archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

Father Reiser’s many years of service have reached far beyond the bounds of the parish into all surrounding communities touching lives. Literally thousands and thousands of individuals and families have been pulled from the depths of despair because of Father Reiser’s devotion of time, energy, money and with values of love and respect for every single person. His compassion and humanity has been an inspiration many all over the world. Everyone counts, to this excellent shepherd. The rich, the poor, the sinner, the winner. He is the face of God, to all he meets.

Reiser Relief Inc. was formed by Fr. Reiser and since its beginnings; Reiser Relief is committed to providing essential services to aid in day-to-day survival to the impoverished people of the Caribbean country of Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. The services Reiser Relief provides include: fresh water, food centers, education, and eldercare facilities. Many outreach projects are in or near Cité Soleil; the suburb of the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince.




You can see Father Reiser’s Eleven Who Care story on Kare 11 TV on the following days.

January Thursday 27th Kare 11 News at 10pm
January Friday 28th Kare 11 Sunrise News between 5am to 7am
January Saturday 29th Kare 11 Saturday News between 8am to 10am
January Monday 31st Kare 11 Today News between 11am to Noon

See more on Kare 11 - Article and Video

http://www.kare11.com/life/community/11whocare/11whocare_article.aspx?storyid=904117


Everyone who meets Fr. Reiser can easily see a kind and compassionate man focused on a principle, to serve others. Working on worthwhile projects and a commitment to making a difference with his spirited leadership and trust in God, that creates an atmosphere that many others will join in to help. He is the personification of the good shepherd and his contributions provide inspiration to everyone who crosses his path.

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CONTACT
Reiser Relief Inc.
Father Bernard Reiser
1800 - 111th Avenue NW #320
Coon Rapids, MN 55433 USA
http://ReiserRelief.org/