PORTLAND — A special statewide collection held on June 13 and 14 at Catholic churches throughout the Diocese of Portland raised $86,484.24 for victims of the destructive earthquake and aftershocks that shook Nepal on April 25. All of the proceeds from the collection will go to Catholic Relief Services CRS, the official international humanitarian agency representing the Catholic Church in the U.S.

With monsoon season quickly approaching, CRS is working with Caritas Nepal to get relief supplies to those in need. The supplies include materials to construct transitional shelters, water purification kits and hygiene kits. CRS has committed $10 million to a three-year relief effort in Nepal. The immediate priority is in providing emergency assistance; however, CRS intends to remain committed to the people of Nepal for years to come, as they undergo the process of rebuilding.

To donate, visit www.crs.org, call 1-877-435-7277, or make a check payable to “CRS” with “Nepal Earthquake” on the memo line and mail to P.O. Box 17090, Baltimore, MD 21297-0303.

FMI: 207-321-7810, [email protected].