Charles Paul McCue
January 19, 2010Jan. 21
January 21, 2010
With the aftermath of last week’s earthquake in Haiti still unfolding, many people in Louisiana and the Tri-parish area are doing the best they can to help those affected in the disaster.
Louisiana was one of the first states to respond to the Haiti crisis. Gov. Bobby Jindal announced on Friday the State of Louisiana would offer any needed assistance in lieu of the earthquake’s wake.
Jindal contacted the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness and asked them to inform the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that Louisiana would offer resources to assist in the emergency response and search and rescue missions in the country.
“I have asked GOHSEP and our Louisiana National Guard to stand ready to assist the Haiti response and recovery efforts in any way we can,” Jindal said on Friday in a release. “Louisiana knows first-hand how deep and widespread the impact of a catastrophic disaster like this earthquake has on cities, communities and families.”
Jindal said he and Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) will coordinate the states’ efforts, so Louisiana can “match any resources we have with their needs on the ground in Haiti.”
Through GOSHEP, Louisiana has offered FEMA more than 65,000 MREs and thousands of bottles of water. The water was donated by Lipsey Mountain Springs Water.
Locally, Haiti Mission Inc., a non-government organization recognized by the United Nations, is also engaging in relief efforts.
Based in Gray, Haiti Mission Inc., has been helping the impoverished country for more than 10 years.
Haiti Mission spokesperson and local pharmacist Lloyd Duplantis said a ship is set to sail to Haiti this week to access the situation and relay what items are most desired in relief efforts.
“The most important thing is cash donations because the people we on have the grounds can assist the people in Haiti immediately with the money,” he said.
Among the items Duplantis said are in highest demand are generators of all sizes, jet fuel, nylon rope, extension cords, flashlights and gloves.
Duplantis said donations are also being accepted in person or at www.haitimissioninc.com.
The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux pitched into relief efforts this past weekend when Bishop Sam G. Jacobs authorized a special second collection at all masses for victims of the earthquake. The Diocese said all proceeds of the collection would be sent to the Catholic Relief Services – which serves as the Church’s international humanitarian aid and relief organization.
The Diocese also placed a link on their Web site where people can make a donation. That address is www.htdiocese.org.
Schools across the area have also done their part to help.
According to Lafourche Parish school spokesman Floyd Benoit, several Lafourche Parish schools will have collections throughout this week.
W.S. Lafargue Elementary had a “Who Dat Black and Gold” Day this past Friday in honor of the Saints playoff game.
In order to wear Saints apparel, students had to donate $1 or more to the Haiti Disaster Relief Fund.
Benoit also said Golden Meadow Middle School was planning to gather monetary donations and hold a fund-raiser this week to aid in the efforts with all donations going to the American Red Cross.
Local doctor David Fakier and his wife Laura also will lend their support, and have volunteered to head a silent auction during an upcoming golf tournament on March 19.
All of the proceeds for the auction will go to “benefit the needs of our friends in Haiti.”
The family has already received a few auction items, including a Hornets auctioned basketball and an autographed photo of Chris Paul, but the family is seeking more donated items before March 1.
To donate an item or for other questions, the Fakier’s ask persons to call them at 985-868-5778 or e-mail them at raoulrad@aol.com.
One item that may not be in shortage for long is shoes as Shoe Carnival has joined forces with Soles4Shoes and will donate shoes to earthquake victims.
The company announced they will raise funds at all of their stores to allow for more than 100,000 pairs of shoes, medical supplies and baby products to the affected areas.
“We feel the deepest compassion for the survivors in Haiti as they begin to rebuild their lives and communities,” said Todd Beurman, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Shoe Carnival. “That is why we want to help in any way we can to ensure the people of Haiti are able to get back on their feet in these very difficult times.”
There is a Shoe Carnival location in Houma located at 1558 Martin Luther King Blvd.
People who want to donate online may do so at giveshoes.org.
– Tri-Parish Times writer Sophia Ruffin contributed to this article.
To help contact Haiti Mission Inc.,
call 985-872-4547 or visit: www.haitimissioninc.com
To contact the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, call 985-850-3132 or visit: www.htdiocese.org
To contact the Catholic Relief Services, call 1-877-HELP-CRS or visit: www.crs.org
To contact David and Laura Fakier, call 985-868-5778 or email them at: raoulrad@aol.com
To donate to Souls4Shoes, visit www.giveshoes.org.
For those seeking information about family members in Haiti, call: 1-888-407-4747
Bolivian UN peacekeepers distribute water and meals Saturday to the residents in Cite Soleil, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Locals are joining the effort this week in collecting items to aid victims in last week’s 7.0-magnitude quake. * AP Photo/MINUSTAH, Marco Dormino
