By Anna Lempereur
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Countless local charity events and organizations were established in the last week to help those who suffered from the Jan. 12 earthquake that has claimed more than 150,000 lives. While off to a strong start, donations continue to be encouraged.
From food drives to charity concerts, these affiliations dedicated their time and efforts to support the Haiti relief. Through these fundraisers, the significant amount of volunteers showed their determination to do everything in their power to help the victims.
Uniondale Fire District Commissioner Mervyn Campbell set up the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund when his chief approached him after the earthquake. Together, they organized members of the The Uniondale Fire Department and the community to fill up a 75-foot trailer with clothing, canned foods, toiletries, medications, motorized wheelchairs, stretchers and walkers that they are shipping to Haiti along with cash donations.
“We have about 10 people from Haiti in my fire department – our chief and nine other members,” said Campbell. “The chief has lost five relatives, another member lost five to eight relatives, and another member lost a father…his mother is in critical condition. It means a lot to us.”
They’ve received nothing shortage of an outpouring of help.
“People from the streets would come in and volunteer,” said Campbell. “They just stop in the firehouse and say, ‘Can we help? What can we do?’ and spend four hours just packaging. It’s good for the community because it brings everybody together. It’s a good effort all around.”
Campbell also said that the National Association of Fire Chiefs is putting together firefighters who speak the languages to go over to Haiti and help out. The Uniondale Fire Department has nine men so far, who are ready to go over once a phone call is received.
Also organizing local charity efforts for Haiti is the Rotary Club of Islandia-Central Islip, which is collecting donations to send ShelterBoxes. ShelterBoxes contain one or two 10-person tents, insulated sleeping mats, thermal blankets, water purification kits and tablets, a First-aid kit, a trenching shovel, a multi-fueled cook stove, eating utensils, plates and tools.
The empty containers in the boxes can be used to carry water or to be lined up and used as cots. Five hundred boxes have been sent out so far with a possibility of 1,000 more. Each costs $1,000 to build.
“Every dollar that we raise goes to whatever we saved,” said Henry Bradley III, president of the Rotary Club of Islandia-Central Islip. “Everybody is doing something – it has a greater impact because of how much can be put into these boxes.”
Along with making donations to the Haiti Relief, events are held across Long Island where people can enjoy live music and entertainment while contributing a good cause. A special “Live in The Lobby” concert will be held Thursday at the Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts to raise money for the American Red Cross. The Michael Jazz Trio, The Loan Sharks, Miles to Dayton, The Sun Gets Down, Iridesense, and more well-known performers around the area are scheduled to perform. The concert begins at 7 p.m.
“I knew that there was something that we wanted to do to benefit the Haitians, so I got together with a co-worker of mine at the station (Andrew Steeley),” said John Govia, Programming Director of 101.7 “The Beach” radio. “We just really put our heads together and figured, ‘Why not have a benefit concert?’”
Govia would like to see the proceeds, which are 100 percent towards Haiti, total up to about $10,000. “Every way possible that we can raise money, we’re going to do it.”
Numerous Web sites have also been set up, making donating funds simple with just a click away. Twelve-year-old Leah Zafra organized US of Care, a United Nations Children’s Fund UNICEF Youth Team, after she learned of the earthquake while browsing the news channel for weather information.
The Portledge School 6th grader asked her mother, Alexandra Zafra, if they can do something to help the victims. They decided together that setting up the fund was an effective way for kids to help kids. UNICEF has been aiding children who suffered from tragedies in Haiti by providing them with water, food, medical necessities, and education for more than 60 years.
“In watching the news and seeing the thousands of people affected by the terrible earthquake in Haiti, I would like to invite you to assist in UNICEF’s emergency response to Haiti,” said Leah. “I learned in History that culture is a combination of traditions, similarities, and common things people share. It is part of my culture to help those in need in the little or big ways we can.”
Leah has already reached 65 percent of her $1,000 goal. All donations go towards 2 million children in Haiti who are in need of clean water and medical care. According to US Fund for UNICEF President & CEO Caryl M. Stern, the fund has committed more than $11 million to the Haiti relief.
Some Haiti-specific efforts have been around long before the earthquake, but have become all the more important now.
Haiti Relief Fund, Inc., a Not for Profit Corporation established in 2004, is asking for medical supplies (bandages, alcohol, peroxide, iodine, Tylenol, arm/leg braces, slings, etc.) as well as water, non-perishable food items, toiletries, diapers, baby clothes, wipes, bottles, cots, tents, generators, building supplies, and clean and gently used clothing and shoes.
Carlo Thertus, president of the fund, works with his wife, Karen Michel, and his brother, Hansy Thomas, who are both vice presidents. When Thertus and Hansy ship the donations to Santo Domingo next week, they plan on documenting their trip worldwide through live webcams. This will be available on their Web site, www.haitirelieffund.org/.
“I’m very glad the whole world jumped,” said Thertus. “America was the first jumper, and everybody else followed. I thought that was a very good thing, and I’m very grateful for that. We gratefully thank you, and we’re going to make everything better.”
Haiti Charities:
American Red Cross
1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767)
Text “Haiti” to 90999 to send $10 donation
www.redcross.org/
Haitian American Family of Long Island (HAFALI)
516-792-1104
www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=60063313574/
The Uniondale Fire Department
154 Uniondale Ave., Uniondale.
516-481-8411
www.uniondalefd.org/
Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts
71 E. Main St., Patchogue
631-207-1313
www.patchoguetheatre.com/
Haitian American United for Change (HAUC)
P.O. Box 2757, Lake Ronkonkoma, N.Y. 11779
888-509-4282
www.hauc.org/
Leah Zafra’s UNICEF Team
http://inside.unicefusa.org/goto/usofcare
The Islandia-Central Islip Rotary Club
P.O. Box 276, Islandia
631-630-9697
www.clubrunner.ca/centralislip/
Haiti Relief Fund Inc.
48-D Atlantic Ave., Lynbrook
516-578-0603
www.haitirelieffund.org
