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