County Executive Announces Way to Send Aid
Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano announced that the county plans on sending aid to Haiti, which was devastated by an earthquake. Mangano set up a phone number for people to call to ways in which to help the people of Haiti, many of which have ties to residents of Nassau County.
“Nassau County is prepared to assist the Haitians who are suffering from the earthquake,” said Mangano.
According to Mangano, in working with the Nassau County Office of Emergency Management and several community groups, the county is prepared to send 10,000 ready-to-eat meals and 20,000 bottles of water over to Haiti. The county will also be collecting items such as summer clothing, shoes and non-perishables such as rice, canned goods, beans, cooking oil, diapers, toothpaste, toothbrushes and toiletries.
For those wishing to help in the effort, a telephone line has been set up. Call 888-684-4278. The drop-off points include 1 West Street in Mineola. Monetary donations can be made to the American Red Cross or UNICEF. All the information is available by calling the phone number.
“In a short period of time, we’re able to come together and offer some effective relief,” said Mangano.
Nassau County Legislator John Ciotti, who represents the 3rd Legislative District, which includes the Elmont community with its large Haitian population, hopes residents will join together to help those in need.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Haitian community and their families from Port-Au-Prince to Elmont. The people of my district are personally impacted by the destruction of the earthquake,” Ciotti said. “We will do everything we can to make sure the assistance is provided as quickly as humanly possible.”
“There are people right now who are hungry, who are thirsty. There are people who have nothing but the clothes on their backs. There are people whose lives have been devastated by this earthquake. Those whose lives have been devastated, we will help them rebuild,” said the Rev. Allan Ramirez of Hispanics Across America.
Bishop Fernando Rodriguez, president of the Latin/African Chaplains Association, is planning on going to Haiti to assist with providing medical supplies. If any doctor, nurse or medical personnel wants to donate time to help, they can contact him at (718) 842-8555.
