United Way Board Member’s Haiti connection; Elgin’s response to the quake
Monday January 25th, 2010
On January 12 the lives of hundreds of thousands of people were forever altered by an earthquake in Haiti. As the staff of the United Way of Elgin watch the devastating reports come in, our hearts go out to the people of Haiti. The facts are grim: a 7.0 magnitude earthquake, the most powerful quake to hit the country in over 200 years; as much as 70 percent of the buildings destroyed and roads and paths covered with debris, stunting many emergency rescue and relief efforts. Additionally, on January 20, an aftershock almost as strong as the original quake struck, putting an already precarious situation into total chaos.
Even before the quakes, living conditions in Haiti were unimaginable--Dr. Steve Joyce, a United Way Board Member, has taken two volunteer trips to Haiti to work at King’s Cross Hospital, located outside of the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince. The picture he paints of Haiti pre-quake is one of poverty and suffering: a country in debt, with no infrastructure; threatened by gang violence; hit by tropical storms; no pollution control; dry heat that causes widespread chronic coughs and diseases; and little to no access for many to healthcare, meaning many serious diseases go undiagnosed and untreated for years. Read more about Haiti’s background and Dr. Joyce’s experiences in Haiti here.
How you can help locally
You can contribute to Dr. Stephen Joyce’s group by sending a check to Faith & Learning International, PO Box 480, Wheaton, IL 60189. Include Hearten Haiti in the memo line.
The Rotary Club of Elgin has been raising money to send five Shelter Boxes to Haiti. The Rotary Club International currently has support teams in Haiti awaiting additional shipments of these much needed supplies. Each Shelter Box is a large, green plastic container that holds a 10-person tent other equipment, including thermal blankets, waterproof ponchos, a multi-fuel stove, cooking utensils, water containers and purification tablets, a basic tool kit, and children’s drawing books and crayons. Please send donations to Rotary Club of Elgin, P.O. Box 604, Elgin, IL 60121. The Rotary Club will provide receipts for these tax-deductible contributions.
How you can help through national organizations
On a national level, the United Way system worldwide and its corporate partners are responding with immediate efforts and preparing for recovery and long-term rebuilding. United Way's role is to support long-term recovery efforts to rebuild lives and communities devastated by the disaster and to address educational, financial and health-related challenges. United Way Worldwide has created the United Way Worldwide Disaster Fund and has introduced a text-to-give program, where people can text HAITI to 864833 to donate $5. UWW is also coordinating the integration of efforts from United Ways around the world, in cooperation with our corporate partners and other NGOs. You can read more about how United Way Worldwide is helping in Haiti here.
Polo Ralph Lauren makes giving fashionable as it joins United Way in aiding Haiti through this difficult time and for years to come with their Haiti Relief Polo. 100% of the proceeds of this co-branded signature polo shirt will be donated to the United Way Worldwide Disaster Fund.
Also the Salvation Army last week gave 7,000 people a five-day supply of food, and hundreds of others, including infants at an orphanage, received medical care from Salvation Army doctors who are responding to the earthquake. In the U.S., more personnel and supplies are being sent to the country to join the 700 Salvation Army workers who are permanently stationed in Haiti. Additionally, in Port-au-Prince, a 14-person Salvation Army medical team provided care to nearly 200 people Monday, suturing wounds and treating broken bones. You can contribute to the Salvation Army’s Haiti relief fund through text message, donating $10 via your phone bill by text messaging the word “HAITI” to 52000 and confirming the donation with the word, “Yes.” You can also give via www.salvationarmyusa.org, 1-800-SAL-ARMY and through the mail at: The Salvation Army World Service Office, International Disaster Relief Fund, P.O. Box 630728, Baltimore, MD 21263-0728 with designation “Haiti Earthquake.” To date, more than $4.79 million has been donated to The Salvation Army’s relief effort in Haiti.
You can also find a list of reputable charity organizations here.
