Haitian Relief … by guest contributor Marc Bayard:
“I can’t thank you enough for all for your thoughts and prayers during this trying time, I wanted to update you on the latest news, as of last night, we have finally contacted all of our missing relatives, they are safe and aside from minor injuries and major property damage (destroyed homes and buildings), are well. I want you to know that your thoughts and prayers are working, as there have been miraculous stories of survival amidst tragedy, including my father in law, cousin, grandmother in law and 2 aunts, whose homes or offices crumbled while they were inside and they were momentarily trapped, yet they managed to escape with minimal injuries. While we are tremendously relieved that they are safe, our happiness is tempered by the overwhelming losses surrounding themsuch as destroyed homes, businesses and more importantly, close friends and neighbors who did not survive (7 at last count), our prayers and condolences go out to them and their families. We are all now trying to stay in touch with our surviving loved ones, comfort them (they are still in shock and scared, many are still sleeping outside or in their cars as the earth is still shaking) coordinate shelter for them (many are now homeless and staying with neighbors, family and friends) and trying to help keep them safe from the many imminent dangers, including aftershocks and the chaotic environment (no electricity, lax security, scarce food, water and supplies, looters and criminals on the loose), it is a true tragedy with a death toll estimated by the Red Cross to exceed over 45,000 (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/cb_haiti_earthquake). I cannot begin to tell you how crushing this has been, We were all so hopeful about a Haiti revival, and just as we were feeling the country rise from the ashes, this crushing blow was dealt. The people of Haiti already have so little, it is so unfair and cruel that this happened, please help give some hope back to them and show them that some people care and want to help. Thank you all, please continue your prayers, thoughts and gestures as every little bit helps.
Many of you have asked how we can help the victims of this tragedy, and I wanted to share what I am doing. As I mentioned to some of you in an earlier email, thanks to the extraordinary efforts of my cousins, Danny and Dan Bayard, we have secured a plane to fly to Haiti this weekend to deliver medical supplies(band-aids, bandages, pain killers, syringes, gauze, antibiotics) to the victims in Haiti. I will be driving a pickup truck to their drop-off location in Palm Beach this weekend. This is being done in conjunction with MISSIONARY FLIGHTS INTERNATIONAL (IMF) which serves a multitude of IN-COUNTRY missions. After much research and discussions, we determined that Food for The Poor, a local charitable organization which is the largest international relief organization in the United States, was the most well prepared and organized to deliver much needed water and food to the victims of Haiti in a timely and safe manner.. The organization serves the poorest of the poor in 17 countries throughout the Caribbean and Latin America. Since its inception, Food For The Poor has distributed more than 43,900 tractor-trailer loads of aid and has built more than 50,000 homes for the destitute. More than 96% of all donations received went directly to programs that benefit the poor. Special thanks to executives of BB&T’s South Florida Region, who have agreed to receive food and water at any of our South Florida branches, please find the location nearest you at www.bbt.com. A big thank you also to Monika and Ralph Martins, who have also agreed to receive food and water at their tennis store, GT Sports, 9479 S Dixie highway, Miami FL 33156. Your donations will provide immediate as well as long-term relief to Haiti as they will help re-build the destroyed infrastructure that had just begun to give Haitians around the world some new-found hope. Please see the links below for locations, drop off points and information on Food for the Poor and BB&T “.
EsslingerWootenMaxwell is accepting donations, payable to the American Red Cross, mailed or hand-delivered to any EWM Realtors, Inc location throughout Miami-Dade or Broward county … or given to any EWM Realtor in your community. Click here for more information, or for questions you need answered.
“In terms of donations to other organizations that I recommend, please see the list below, they are all wonderful organizations that have done great work in Haiti. Yele Haiti is truly fantastic and easy to donate, I have seen firsthand the great work they have been doing there for the last few years and can attest to their commitment and devotion to Haiti’s plight. Wyclef Jean started this foundation and is a proud Haitian American who has devoted himself to helping Haiti and is often personally present to deliver and administer help in Haiti.
Yele Haiti: This organization, founded by Wyclef Jean, creates projects to improve the quality of education, health, environment and community development in Haiti. To donate to to its Haiti relief efforts, go to yele.org or text YELE to 501501 to donate $5.
American Red Cross: The American Red Cross’ primary focus during the initial response of an emergency is feeding, sheltering and supplying any other basic needs. To donate: Go to RedCross.org, hit donate now button at top and then International Response Fund. You also can text “Haiti” to 90999 to donate $10 to the International Response Fund. The money will go directly to relief efforts in Haiti. Or call 1-800-Red-Cross.
Medecins sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders): The humanitarian organization delivers medical care to people caught in crisis. Donations to its Haiti relief efforts will go toward repairing the obstetrics and trauma hospitals in Haiti that were damaged in the earthquake. They also will go to transporting an additional 70 doctors and medical supplies to the island in an effort to set up makeshift emergency medical response centers. To donate, go to doctorswithoutborders.org or call 1-888-392-0392″
Written by Marc Bayard whom you can contact through Marc_Bayard@colonialbank.com …Distributed by Vicki Restivo – MiamiRealEstateCafe.com whom you can contact through Restivo.v@ewm.com Haitian Relief Effort
