The inaugural year for celebration of faith and community through Christian Store Day on Oct. 23 reports 472 participating stores. The unprecedented, multi-vendor-supported event aims to demonstrate the ministry missions of Christian stores by helping raise awareness of humanitarian needs and relief efforts in Haiti. Artists and authors donated royalties, vendors donated profits and provided promotional funding and other support, and retailers are taking no margins for sales of the “Help Haiti” enhanced CD. Proceeds from CD sales will benefit Compassion Intl., World Vision, and Operation Christmas Child—all ministries working in Haiti.

More than 1 million people remain homeless in the earthquake-devastated country where more than 250,000 people died in January’s 7.0-magnitude earthquake. Dan Woolley, a Compassion filmmaker, was trapped three days under a crumbled hotel, and his associate, Dan Hames, died in the building collapse along with about 60 other people. Woolley’s upcoming book, Unshaken, describes the ordeal and international aid work in Haiti. He personally has supported the Christian Store Day project.

For more information on the event, visit the consumer Web site, www.ChristianStoreDay.com.

Participating vendors include EMI CMG, Word Entertainment, Provident-Integrity Distribution, Thomas Nelson, Tyndale House, and Zondervan. Other supporting vendors, including Spring Arbor, are listed on the consumer website. Additional vendors have reached out to support Christian Store Day with special promotions, including Lighthouse Christian Products, Daywind, and others. CBA, ECPA, and the Christian Music Trade Assoc. also partnered in the event.