(NNPA)—United States residents who donated to the relief effort in Haiti will be rewarded this spring when they file their income taxes.

A measure recently approved by Congress and signed by President Obama will allow them to write off those charitable donations on their 2009 taxes. Under current law, those donations would have had to be filed under the 2010 return.

WAITING PATIENTLY— Twins Jhonsley, left, and Jhonsly wait in a recovery room for their mother who was airlifted to the USS Comfort after she suffered from seizures, in the Killick Haitian Coast Guard base in Port-au-Prince.

Since the Jan. 12 quake, Americans have donated millions to the humanitarian effort, including $203 million collected so far by the American Red Cross.

Fellowship tea

FEB. 13—The Women of Antioch Baptist Church, 332 Elizabeth St., Sewickley, will host a Fellowship Tea at 11 a.m. The theme is “love.” Guest speakers include Emma Thorton and Rev. Sharon Dennard. There will be songs, games, giveaways, a tea sandwich luncheon and tea service. There will also be a collection taken for the American Red Cross to benefit the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. For more information, call 412-741-7688 or visit www.antiochfwbaptistsewickley.org.

On the afternoons of Jan. 29 and 31, the Women’s Choice Network hosted the grand opening of a new office located within the confines of The Hosanna House. The community service center, recognizing the needs of such a program within the neighborhood, is excited to house the organization that will make an impact on the lives of the residents of Wilkinsburg and surrounding areas.

RIBBON CUTTING—Ellan Szalay, Marilyn Reed, John Ensor, Cheryl Allen, Kym Burke, Amy Scheuring, Jayonna Burke, Jozely Burke and Rev. William Glaze help out in the cutting of the ribbon for the new nursery at the new Women’s Center in the Hosanna House in Wilkinsburg.

Servicing the physical and emotional needs of both teen and adult moms, the Network’s mission empowers abortion-vulnerable women to choose the gift of life by providing “caring, confidential and trusted answers.” One seeking comfort is able to find a solution within the strategically located centers, which are currently located in Oakland, Monroeville, Wexford, and the urban area of Wilkinsburg.

Here is something for the homeowners. Tag your water line, gas lines and power boxes. If this is the house you have lived in for years or you just moved in this is a great idea.

Find a friend who knows their way around a house. No not the way to your kitchen, but someone who knows the difference between a gas line and a water line. Have this friend or better yet you might want to hire a trusted professional to do the job.

Your mission is to have them show you what is what. So in the event of an emergency you know what to turn off and sometimes you can simply correct very minor issues. For instance if the pilot goes out in your furnace, do you know how to restart it? It’s very simple if you follow the instructions inside of the furnace.