Local organizations rally to support Haiti
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Podcast Episode
WCLO's Steve Benton reports on Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti following a devastating earthquake earlier this week
Podcast Episode
People in southern Wisconsin with connections to Haiti are waiting for word on what's happening in the impoverished nation. Janesville Gazette reporter Ann Marie Ames talked to members of a Delavan-based group called Friends of the Children, which organizes medical, dental, and health education missions to Haiti. Kyle Geissler reports. You can read more in Thursday's Janesville Gazette.
JANESVILLE — Local organizations are beginning to mobilize to help earthquake victims in Haiti.
The Janesville Noon Rotary is taking up a collection to provide temporary shelter through the ShelterBox program.
ShelterBox is an international disaster relief charity that delivers emergency shelter and warmth to people affected by disaster worldwide.
Each shelter box costs about $800 and contains:
-- A 10-person tent.
-- A children’s pack of drawing books, crayons and pens.
-- Thermal blankets and insulated ground sheets.
-- Water purification supplies.
-- A basic tool kit.
-- A wood-burning or multi-fuel stove.
-- Pans, utensils, bowls, mugs and water-storage containers.
For an explanation of the shelter box efforts being made in Haiti, visit shelterbox.org
To help the local fundraising effort to send shelter boxes, contact a local Rotarian by visiting the club’s Web site at janesvillerotary.org or send a check made payable to the Janesville Rotary Foundation to P.O. Box 301, Janesville, WI 53547-0301.
The South Central Wisconsin Chapter of the American Red Cross has not yet sent any emergency disaster volunteers to Haiti, but it could happen, a local spokeswoman said.
Local Red Cross volunteers have no plans to head to Haiti but “that could change down the line,” said Laurie VanderJagt, chapter public affairs volunteer.
“At this point, the damage is so significant, we’re waiting to find out what’s going on,’’ she said.
People who want to help earthquake victims may make a financial gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund. Donations to the fund may be sent to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013 or made by phone at 1-800-257-7575.
In addition, donors may text the word “HAITI” to “90999” and a donation of $10 will be given to the Red Cross to help with relief efforts.
TO HELP LOCAL EFFORTS
Janesville Noon Rotary: Contact a local Rotarian by visiting the club’s Web site at janesvillerotary.org or send a check made payable to the Janesville Rotary Foundation to P.O. Box 301, Janesville, WI 53547-0301.
South Central Wisconsin Chapter of the American Red Cross: Donations to the fund may be sent to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013 or made by phone at 1-800-257-7575.
In addition, donors may text the word “HAITI” to “90999” and a donation of $10 will be given to the Red Cross to help with relief efforts.
Yonn Ede Lot: To send financial contributions to the Walworth County non-profit for relief efforts for Haiti, contact Judy Haselhoef at (262) 245-1229.
Friends of the Children: Visit haitimdm.org or call Tom and Cindy Schuetz at (262) 728-2351 or Tom Reichert at (262) 949-6530 to help the non-profit based in the Delavan-Darien area. Mail checks made out to Friends of the Children to P.O. Box 775 Delavan, WI 53115.
Jan 15, 2010 at 3:02 p.m.
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Let's ignore the selfish trolls who lack compassion -- clearly it's a character flaw they have to live with.
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This is a gargantuan tragedy that is bringing responses from all corners of the globe -- even Bangladesh. Brazil has been shouldering the bulk of the multi-national security force the last several years, but they aren't capable of handling all of this themselves, and we have historical relationships with Haiti that require our participation. (Chicago's founder was Haitian, for instance, and the majority of the Haitian diaspora is in the US, despite the language barriers.) Rebuilding Haiti would have been a challenge for the international community even if it had not already been providing the basis for a functioning if rudimentary government since 2004. As it is, the Haitian people are in dire straits, with no real infrastructure to absorb and handle this disaster. There isn't "another" major city in Haiti with hospitals, for instance. They simply lack anything more than community medical care with major facilities in the capital demolished by the quake and unknown medical personnel also victims.
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Fortunately the financial donation response -- especially using mobile phone texting -- has been fantastic, but even the millions raised that way only scratches the surface of immediate needs. Haiti is going to need a long-term commitment by the best and brightest the world can offer.
Jan 15, 2010 at 10:03 a.m.
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Hank:Aren't you a negative person. You should take the time to get your facts correct. Any legitimate non profit goes to great extremes to mark monies received to the donor wishes. Each of these organizations have outside auditors to verify that the funds were divided correctly.
If you are only interested in helping yourself, that is fine but don't make up things.
Jan 15, 2010 at 6:03 a.m.
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I am a Amateur Radio Operator(Ham).One of the groups that I belong to handles emergency traffic in and out of all the areas that need traffic passing.Satern(Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network).There is a site that loved ones can enter info and they have had there teams in there at the start.The site is www.satern.org Then click on Health and welfare and enter info.I have handled over 27 traffics thus far.I have been involved with this group for over 30 years.
Jan 14, 2010 at 8:47 p.m.
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Most of the listed organizations honor donor intent, which means that if you make a donation and clearly indicate that you want your donation to be used to directly assist in Haiti--it will go to Haiti. These organizations are reputable and will do their best to make sure that your donation goes where you want it to go. I do know that when people donate to their local Red Cross chapter and want their donation used in local disaster relief, that is where it stays. It would not be used for international disaster relief.
Jan 14, 2010 at 6:37 p.m.
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Reputable organizations will give you details of where every penny goes. None of the groups above are scammers. They are trustworthy and help both at home and abroad.
Another great aid group is UMCOR of the United Methodist Church.
Jan 14, 2010 at 6:30 p.m.
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If we left Haiti to fix themselves, they would probably figure it out. However, we and other countries are always giving them a hand out. What incentative is it for them to become independant? I say keep your donations to yourself and help people locally.
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