In an effort to organize local Haiti relief efforts, Gov. John deJongh Jr. and Senate President Louis Hill invited representatives of community organizations, and public and private agencies to share information about their various efforts to help victims of the earthquake-ravaged country.
The Thursday afternoon meeting was an opportunity to create a coordinated response to the disaster, to exchange strategies and to stem any duplication of effort by the various agencies.
DeJongh greeted the 40 or so community members, telling them, "The community has shown tremendous support for our Haitian brothers and sisters. One thing we do know is … how to respond and assist others in their time of need. We take care of each other."
Senate President Louis Hill agreed. "One thing that unites us in the Caribbean is our desire to work as one in a disaster," he said. "For any of the challenges as a Caribbean community, the people shine when there is a disaster. This is another opportunity to help others in need."
The governor then turned the meeting over to David Edgecombe, Government House point person on the Haiti response, who has been working hand in glove with Colette Monroe, Hill’s chief of staff, to organize the government response.
While several of the agencies volunteered information, Fraser Drummond, of Bellows International, got a round of applause when he said the company is offering its trucks and has warehouse space available.
Cheryl George-Chance of Rotary USVI said members would come to the warehouse on Saturdays to sort the donations.
Elton Lewis, the V.I. National Guard’s (VING) Assistant Adjutant General, then noted that local guard troops are holding off on deploying any aircraft to Haiti for the immediate future. "We will be going," he said. "It’s just a matter of when."
Lewis explained that VING is awaiting orders from national headquarters and that two programs will be in place to assist in the flow of resources to Haiti, as soon as he gets the word. An airlift strategy is currently in the works.
Later, Tourism Commissioner Beverly Nicholson-Doty announced the development of a donations link on the Tourism website that will go live later this week. "Recognizing the power of the internet," she said, "the online effort will be coordinated with the 6,000 Friends of the V.I. at the Facebook web site."
She said donations can be made through PayPal, which will be forwarded to the territorial account for the V.I.–Haiti relief effort already in place at Banco Popular de Puerto Rico. Funds donated will be administered by the St. Croix Foundation.
Also, money may be donated to the V.I. relief effort at any Banco Popular branch, making the deposit to account 190-151706.
Local resident Carmen Partridge then spoke of the relief effort of private citizens and the medical community, which she has organized. The V.I. Haitian Medical and Children’s Relief Trip is now running flights to Haiti with private aircraft, and has established a ground base at a hospital there.
"Right now," Partridge said, "we need people there to save lives. We are sending doctors, nurses, medical supplies. That is our current focus. We need medical supplies. We have flights going several times a week now."
Partridge is working with attorney Michele Baker, a Haitian with family on the ground there to coordinate the mission. Baker went on the first flight last week to establish a ground operation. Partridge said that their team, so far, is saving between 40 to 50 lives a day, with nearly 300 lives saved to date.
Partridge said donations to support the mission can be sent to the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands, marked Haiti Relief Fund. Mail contributions to Dee Baecher-Brown, CFVI, P.O. Box 11790, St. Thomas, V. I. 00801.
Hans Oriol, vice president of the Haitian Association of the V.I., said the group has established a donation center at the gym in Four Winds plaza, next to the pet store.
Dr. Alfred Heath, who has flown to Haiti for the past 20 or so years, said he is taking a flight this weekend. Donations for Heath’s flight can be taken to the Four Winds center.
Edgecombe also announced a Jan. 31 telethon on WTJX-TV from 6 p.m. to midnight with coverage from both island districts. Edgecombe was enthusiastic about the opportunity and urged folks to volunteer, either to man the phones or provide talent.
"Special programming will be featured with updates from Haiti, with local celebrities making appearances," he said.
DeJongh said administrators on each island will be responsible for arranging the pick-up points for donations.
The drop-off points on St. Thomas are:
The Reichhold Center for the Arts, the Democratic Party Leadership Council headquarters in Frenchtown, and the East End Plaza in Red Hook.
The St. John drop-off site is the former Tax Assessor’s Office at The Battery in Cruz Bay.
St. Thomas-Water Island Administrator Barbara Petersen cautioned folks not to "just bring old clothes in a bag, just trash." She said, "Bring nice clothes for the Haitians to wear. Show a little humanity."
Agencies represented at the meeting also included the Salvation Army, the United Way, American Red Cross, Catholic Charities, Barbados Association and Schneider Regional Medical Center.
DeJongh said any government employees wanting to volunteer for the Haiti effort, such as Emergency Medical Technicians or other trained personnel, may do so with the approval of their department heads. Arrangements are still being worked out.