In a time when economic difficulties are on everyone's plate, an outpouring of financial support for the Haitian earthquake victims is sweeping throughout Lycoming County and the region.
Cash and coin donations are rolling toward American Red Cross offices and other relief agencies as millions of Americans respond to the need to provide assistance to International Red Cross workers who are distributing water, food and medicine to the Haitians suffering the aftermath of Tuesday's 7.0 magnitude quake.
Examples of humanity are evident as volunteers and staff with the Red Cross and River Valley YMCA stood for hours in the cold Friday collecting donations through a "Change Drive" for the Red Cross outside Pickelner Arena on Elmira Street.
Article Photos
MARK MARONEY/Sun-Gazette
A volunteer collects donations Friday for relief efforts in Haiti.
YMCA fundraiser Lance Ricci, YMCA administrative assistance Jessica Welch and Red Cross information technology administrator with the North Central Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Red Cross, collected the coins and cash in canisters.
Motorists who drove by were approached and asked if they would donate. Some business representatives dropped off whole bank bags of coins. A few women working in the regional office of the state Department of Environmental Protection dropped off money on behalf of the office.
Weis Markets stores began
Fact Box
How you can help
The Haitian earthquake will require a massive effort to provide relief in that country.
The following organizations are holding events and accepting donations:
The American Red Cross is accepting checks marked for Haitian relief at its office at 320 E. Third St. The American Red Cross also has canisters available for area businesses who want to accept donations toward the earthquake relief fund.
Leslie's Cafe, 1410 Memorial Ave., donates 10 percent of all sales from breakfast and lunch for week of Monday through Jan. 25. Leslie Stokes, co-owner, said she will turn those over to the American Red Cross. The restaurant is open 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday.
Weis Markets Inc. began collecting donations on behalf of the American Red Cross's
Haiti Relief and Development Fund in all of its stores Friday. Customers can donate the amount they wish by adding to their grocery bill at check out or at the courtesy desk. This option is available to customers paying with cash, check, and credit or debit cards. The collected money will be donated to the fund.
All 75 Wegmans stores are accepting customer donations at checkout to help the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. The program will run through Jan. 23. Customers may donate any amount, and 100 percent of the donations will go to the American Red Cross International Response Fund Haiti Relief.
Habitat for Humanity is seeking donations and Web site information is available at Greater Lycoming Habitat for Humanity,
To donate to Haiti Earthquake Relief go to the link: https://www.habitat.org/cd/giving/donate.aspx?link=227
Friday to allow customers to contribute in check-out aisles. Customers can donate the amount they wish by adding to their grocery bill at check out or at the courtesy desk. The option is available to customers paying with cash, check, and credit or debit cards, store officials said.
Leslie Stokes, who co-owns Leslie's Cafe, 1410 Memorial Ave., which is open for breakfast and lunch, said she decided to give 10 percent of her earnings next week to the Red Cross.
"More than a million people have been affected by this devastating catastrophe," according to a statement from Todd Fox, executive director of Greater Lycoming Habitat for Humanity, 540 Lycoming St.
Habitat has worked with Haiti for more than 26 years and will continue to serve the people there by helping to rebuild.
"Habitat for Humanity is mobilizing available resources to address shelter solutions for low-income families," said Torre Nelson, area vice president of Habitat's Latin America Caribbean office.
"Habitat for Humanity is sending an assessment team into the impacted area," said Kip Scheidler, senior director of Global Disaster Response at Habitat for Humanity. "Once we know the full magnitude of this disaster, we'll begin Habitat's recovery process."
Habitat's ability to respond effectively to this disaster will require support from donors, volunteers, corporate partners and other community organizations.
