Update as of February 9, 2010

Planes are still leaving our area every Friday and the greatest current need is for diapers and baby formula. Food is still a top priority. THANK YOU to everyone who donated. Laurie was able to locate an Xray machine and several medical supplies. Simple bandaids and ointments are easy to pack up and will be useful. Rewards greater than riches are yours to enjoy! The contact information listed in the initial blog is still valid so let your heart lead the way.

THANK YOU!!

Hi Everybody,
We all want to help in some small way and now we have a chance! The biggest challenge isn’t getting donated goods, it is getting donated transport to Haiti. A colleague has arranged by partnering with a local charity that is organizing medical flights into Haiti. They are willing to accept cargo on their DC-3s, and the first flight leaves on Thursday. If you want to help, these are items we want to get to Haiti ASAP, in order of priority:
1. Medical supplies/first aid supplies- everything from gloves, masks, gowns, ER drugs to OTC items such as gauze, bandages, band-aids, peroxide, antibiotic ointments, rubbing alcohol, disinfectants and cleaning supplies. Also, there is an URGENT need for X-Ray equipment. Right now broken bones are being set w/o the benefit of x-rays. Casting supplies are also needed.
2. Baby formula, food, bottles and diapers …. Lots of diapers!
3. Survival items (think camping) – sleeping bags, blankets, pillows, tents, cots, etc. Most people are living and sleeping out of doors, under sheets.
4. Toiletries – soap (liquid is preferable to bar soap), toothpaste, toothbrushes, etc.
5. Nonperishable food and water
6. Just a quick update on my previous list: I need to move food up to a 1 or 2 priority. Think big bags of rice and bags of dry beans! Cheap, easy to store, easy to transport, and relatively nutritious. Cans are heavy and bulky and people may or may not be able to open them.
If anybody would like to donate any of these products, please get them to me by the end of Wednesday. I will be attending the Manatee Chamber business after 5 event this evening and in St. Pete tomorrow attending the Meeting Planner International meeting at Suncoast Hospice if anyone would like to participate or you can drop it off at:

Remmel Wellness Center
6416 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. No.
St. Petersburg, FL 33712
(t) 727-525-1141
Because of the space constraints and logistics, we have been asked to hold off on donations of clothing and building supplies. Please pass this on to everyone in your contact list. Laurie Puckett of Remmel Wellness Center will collect, sort and box the donations and get them to the planes. The transport that she has arranged will have security and will be bringing our supplies in directly to two missions working in Haiti – MVI and Mission Haiti.
Also, if you know anyone with a medical background (doctor, nurse, surgical tech …) who wants to go to Haiti and volunteer their time, have them contact her and she will get them in touch with the folks organizing the medical side of things.
Thank you in advance for any assistance you can offer and God Bless!