More than $60,000 was donated this week for Haiti relief efforts to international ministries working in the earthquake-devastated country by about 500 chain and independent Christian retailers who participated in the Oct. 23 Christian Store Day.
 
This project was a first-time cooperative effort among leading Christian publishers, music companies and Christian stores. Industry trade associations also participated, including CBA, the association for Christian Retail; Christian Music Trade Assoc.; and the Evangelical Christian Publishers Assoc. The event was created to celebrate faith and community during hundreds of Christian Store Day events that occurred simultaneously across the country.  Events included unique product specials and in-store appearances from Christian authors and recording artists.
 
Christian Store Day 2010 partnered with Compassion International, Operation Christmas Child and World Vision to generate awareness and funds for continued relief in Haiti. The exclusive Help Haiti enhanced CD was available to raise awareness and educate consumers about this cause on Christian Store Day. Participating artists and authors donated all music and e-book royalties to help with the effort. Artists included the Newsboys, Tobymac, Sanctus Real, Jeremy Camp, Francesca Battistelli, Sidewalk Prophets, Barlow Girl and Group 1 Crew. Authors included Rich Stearns, Ron Hall, Denver Moore, David Thomas, Randy Singer, Alister E. McGrath and Don Brown. Retailers donated all margins and profits from sales.
 
"World Vision was honored and grateful to be a partner in Christian Store Day," said Mary Hogan, retail project associate at World Vision.  "We deeply appreciate the timely donation of funds that were raised to aid the Haiti rebuilding effort and to combat the cholera outbreak."
 
“We are very pleased with the initial event and believe that it will build momentum in future years to raise awareness of Christian stores, the needs they serve and fulfill, and their role in the community to lift up and honor Christ,” Curtis Riskey, CBA executive director of the Christian retail association, said. “Christian Store Day is an opportunity to demonstrate the power of ministry and the impact of working together.”