Local relief supplies heading for Haiti

Merrimack Valley

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January 23, 2010

By Yadira Betances

LAWRENCE — Area residents have dug deep into their pockets to help victims of the earthquake that devastated Haiti Jan. 12.

A total of $15,355.10 was donated to the Pro-Haiti Relief Fund Committee, which is coordinating the relief efforts in the city.

"The sensitivity and love of those people is really incredible," said the Rev. Jean Joseph, pastor of Haitian Church of God on Haverhill Street.

"I'm very thankful to them and I wish I could reward them, but God has a reward for them."

A 9-foot-high cargo container was loaded outside the former General Donovan School at 50 Cross St. yesterday. It will be shipped out today to the island of Hispaniola, which is shared by the Dominican Republic and Haiti. It should take seven to 10 days to arrive.

It is being sent through Mediterranean Shipping at a cost of close to $3,000.

Committee coordinator Ernesto Bautista, said he is elated about the donations received.

"It motivates me to continue helping others knowing that what we are doing is not in vain," Bautista said.

Bautista said he is not surprised by the generosity despite the dismal economy.

"I knew the residents were going to respond that way," he said. "We already knew the heart of the people in this area because they have responded in the same way during other disasters."

Volunteers have been working out of the General Donovan School collecting and sorting out donations of canned goods, bottled water, beans, and bags of rice, some as big as 50 pounds, as well as medicine, tents, crutches and hospital beds.

The largest contributions were 9,000 16-ounce bottles of water; 5,040 pounds of rice; 94 boxes of canned vegetables; and 113 boxes of medicines.

The 15-member committee was formed Jan. 13 after Isabel Melendez made a plea on her local Spanish radio talk show "The Voice of the People" asking community organizations, social service agencies and churches to come together to help Haiti.

Once the container reaches the port in the Dominican Republic, Bautista, along with Victor Tolentino, JosÃ© Genao, all of Lawrence, and Orlando Vargas of Haverhill will travel to the island to receive it. They will work with the Dominican and Haitian conference of bishops to oversee the donations in Haiti. "Thinking about the tragedy and seeing the images on television makes you think of the people who need help," bautista said.

"We know that we won't solve all their problems, but with our help and the aid they are getting from countries all over the world, the situation will get better."

Meanwhile, the Pro Haiti Relief Fund will continue collecting food and medicine at General Donovan School.

"People have not stopped giving and we will continue collecting and helping until there is a need in Haiti," Bautista said.

If you go:

What: Lawrence for Haiti luncheon

When: Jan. 31, 12:30 to 3 p.m.

Where: El Cesar restaurant, 99 Essex St.

Cost: Donations accepted and all proceeds will go to the Clinton-Bush Haiti Fund.