Repost This ArticleUPDATE: 1/16/10 2:15 AM EST: Please read most current update: Haiti Volunteer Project: Evening Update 1/15/10
[Special Note 1/14/10 @1:54 EST] We are working to connect qualified volunteers with reputable and well established NGOs on the ground. If you are someone wanting desperately to help but don’t have these qualifications, we strongly encourage you to donate to the following:
- UNICEF. Go online to unicefusa.org/haitiquake or call (800) 4UNICEF.
- Red Cross. Go online to redcross.org, or call (800) REDCROSS.
- Direct Relief International. Donate online at directrelief.org.
- Mercy Corp. Go online to mercycorps.org or mail checks to Haiti Earthquake Fund, Dept. NR, PO Box 2669, Portland, Ore. 97208 or call (888) 256-1900
Photo: RJ Bejil
Here’s the latest:
When I went to bed at 4 AM this morning, I’d already responded to 70 people who’d reached out to say “I want to go help Haiti.”
When I woke up an hour ago, my inbox had 130 new messages.
Everyone’s looking for a way to help Haiti; they just need someone or some group–like Matador–to organize it.
I’ll be updating you all day with developments related to the trip, and will be posting ways you can help even if you can’t travel with us.
The big update is this:
I’ve just gotten off the phone with JetBlue representatives, who are working on logistics. We should have an update this afternoon around 5 PM EST.
If you’re on Twitter, retweet this message:
Critical #Haiti update: @JetBlue is currently working on logistics. Stay tuned. THANK YOU @JetBlue. We can do this!
In the meantime, I’d like to share some of the volunteers’ stories with you:
“I am arriving to Puerto Plata on Friday for a previously planned vacation with my boyfriend. We are willing to join your group to volunteer if it is safe and feasible (we have a car) so I look forward to seeing how that plan comes together.”
“I have no idea where to even start but I did a quick google search and I have a HUGE feeling in my heart that I need to get to Haiti as soon as possible to do whatever I can to help these people. I have little money, but I have been a dairy farmer my whole life and I am more than able to work long and hard for these people.”
“Please keep me posted on possible volunteer opportunities in Haiti. My husband and I are adopting a little boy named Jeffry from Haiti, and had the opportunity to travel there in September. The people of Haiti and the country itself hold a piece of my heart. I have a current passport and am willing and able to do whatever I can. Thanks for your care and concern for Haiti!”
“Hi, my name is Joanne, and I am very saddened by this terrible and devastating event that has happened yesterday. I wouldn’t want anything more than to go to Haiti and help as much as I can. I am CPR certified and have almost complete training as an EMT. Please keep me up to date about possibly going over to help. Thank you.”
I’ll be updating again after talking with JetBlue this afternoon and will post within the hour about supplies that we’ll be collecting.
If you’ve emailed me about volunteering and haven’t heard back from me yet, I WILL be in touch. Hang in there!
Thank you for your amazing show of support. Haiti, I hope you’re ready for Matador!
Julie Schwietert
Julie Schwietert Collazo is a writer, editor, researcher, and translator currently in New York, formerly of Mexico City and San Juan.
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Hi, my name is Taylor and i am from Moab, Utah. There isn’t really anything interesting about me that would make you want to want me to go to Haiti to help but i really want to go and help with the clean up in any way possible. When i first heard about the Earth Quake i wanted to go and help. If there is anything i can do please let me know. That would be greatly appreciated!!
Have emailed a plethora of people and I really want to get over there and help!!
Dear Friends and Family:
How are you doing? I hope that God is doing as many wonderful things in
your life as He is in mine. I had a wonderful year at Harrison High School, and
feeling that God is calling me to do more for the world around me.
I want to share with you a challenging ministry opportunity that God
has presented to me. From July 18 to July 24, 2010, God has offered me the
chance to go to Haiti with my youth group from Burnt Hickory Church of Christ.
This 7-day mission trip will involve work projects, earthquake clean-up, and
reaching out and spreading gospel to the Haitian people while also learning
more about the people there and their culture. To prepare for this incredible
opportunity, I will attend Mission Camp – a simulated third-world environment where
mission principles are taught and lived out.
While God has opened up a door for me to develop a greater heart of
compassion for His people around the world, the exciting part is that you will
be able to share in this compassion in several ways. First, you can help pray
for me and my fellow youth group. We will need prayers that God will prepare us
for our visit and bless our efforts as we minister to the people of Haiti.
We will also need prayers that our financial needs will be met. At this
time, we need to raise $1,000 each to attend this trip, and that is
quite a challenge!
Another way you can be involved is to help provide that financial
support. Would you consider supporting me with a donation? If you feel led to
contribute, I will need to raise all my funds by July 10 in order to pay for
airline tickets and other items.
Please make checks payable to Burnt Hickory Church of Christ. Whether
you feel led to contribute financially, through prayer, or both, all of your
support is greatly appreciated! I look forward to doing God’s work in Haiti and
letting you know all about how God has worked through this team when I return in
July.
God Bless,
Brian M. Walker
5916 Seven Oaks Drive
Powder Springs, GA 30127
Hats off to all of you. This must have been an amazing experience.
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