You are helping Caldwell Rotary make a difference in Haiti!

Water Barrels and Supplies Being Delivered by Rotary

Jean Paul Richter said, “Do not wait for extraordinary circumstances to do good actions; try to use ordinary situations.” Because Rotary employs this philosophy as action and our club has been helping the poor in the Dominican Republic for five years, we are proud to have been first responders in the delivery of water, food, and medical supplies to devastated villages in Haiti and the Dominican. Our established shipping and distribution network, including a secure warehouse facility, modest truck, and trusted hands on the island, mean that 100% of all goods and funding donated are being used to help people who remain in dire need.

The outpouring of support for this relief effort from the community, businesses, organizations, and other Rotary Clubs has resulted in several shipments a week. Thousands of gallons of water, thousands of pounds of food, medical supplies and other necessities have been and continue to be distributed directly into the hands of the people who need them to survive.

There are many ways that you can help! Tax-deductible donations can be sent to the RCC Endowment, Box 98, Caldwell, NJ 07006. Baby food and formula are desperately needed as infants and children are not getting nourishment their bodies can digest. Dried meats, fruits, nuts, protein bars, and canned foods (such as beans) with pop-tops are urgently needed as are medical supplies – gauze, bandages, antibiotics, antibacterial ointments, etc. Toiletries, new or used summer weight clothing, sandals, shoes, and soft toys are needed. Drop off points are: Konner Chevrolet, 950 Bloomfield Ave., Terzako Furs, 472 Bloomfield Ave. and Ace Hardware, 490 Bloomfield Ave.

Finally, you can help by forwarding this blog to help spread the word and sharing your thoughts and ideas in the comment section below.

Rotary of the Caldwells. We were there before. We are there now. And, we will be there after the crisis. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for being there with us!

Rotarian Christy Berg

Distributing Aid Since Day 2 of the Earthquake. Help needed!

With most news and resources necessarily focused on the devastation of Port-au-Prince and it's people, little has been reported about the outlying villages of Haiti and the Dominican Republic which were literally leveled in the quake. Survivors here, who live in abject poverty under the best of circumstances, are in dire need of our help - water, food, medical supplies, shelter, clothing.

Last Thursday, at a time when much relief was not getting through, Caldwell Rotary distributed 2,000 bottles of water, 2,000 pounds of food, and other necessary supplies to the people in these remote, decimated areas of Haiti and the DR. A subsequent air shipment of medical supplies was distributed on Friday. Yesterday, an additional 17,000 bottles of water were delivered, with another 8,000 bottles soon to follow. Supplies are quickly being depleted.

How have we been able to respond so quickly to deliver aid directly to the people? Under the leadership of Mike Kambourakis, Caldwell Rotary has been working in the Dominican Republic for the last five years, providing donated clothing, educational and medical supplies, and food to people in the poorest villages. In 2009, we distributed 40,000 pounds. Please take three minutes to watch this video on our Dominican Project.

Because our club has an established distribution network in place, we have the capacity to continue to deliver aid quickly and directly to the people. BUT WE URGENTLY NEED YOUR HELP TO KEEP THE DISTRIBUTION FLOWING! Funding is needed to purchase additional nonperishable food items, water, and medical supplies. Tax deductible donations can be made to the Rotary Club of the Caldwells Endowment Fund, PO Box 98,Caldwell, NJ 07006. Non perishable food, baby formula and food, medical supplies, clothing, sandals, and other donations can be dropped off at Konner Chevrolet, 950 Bloomfield Avenue West Caldwell, NJ 07006.

We are extremely grateful to be in position to help and for the outpouring of support from other Rotarians, local businesses, civic and religious organizations, and individuals. Together we are making a difference!

Yours Sincerely,
Rotarian Christy Berg