VERMONT HAITI PROJECT NEWS

UPDATE - 10/30/2009: The container arrived in Haiti and cleared customs on Thursday Oct. 29. It will be delivered to a storage space today!!!! Maria and Despagne will be there to help with the unloading. When we get there on Nov 10th we will get to see all the packed items again.

Thanks to everyone who helped with this project.

More from Haiti when we get there.

Donna

September, 2009

A TRUCKLOAD OF GENEROSITY

   In the spirit of so many Vermonters, Amy Beckweth  wanted to help out the Vermont Haiti Project.    “I’ve been wanting to get involved for awhile now, and since I couldn’t find the time to actually go to Haiti, I really wanted to do something!”

     What Beckweth did was conceive a ambitious grassroots donation program.  Labeled the “Spring Cleanup”, Beckweth and other VHP members and friends were able to solicit enough goods to literally fill up a warehouse.
     Beckweth learned about VHP through the organization’s co-director Kimball Butler, whom she works with, and she put her program into effect in April.  “I figured that since everyone tends to clean out their stuff each spring, we should get them to at least donate it to a worthy cause.”

     The group received space in an empty office in Richmond, Vermont, and went about collecting:  Furniture; clothing; shoes; electronics; sporting goods and an assortment of other items no longer wanted in Vermont, but of great value to the people of Haiti.

     The collection drive lasted throughout the spring and summer and, in late September, a rented truck was loaded up and driven by Amy and Kimball to Miami.  Phase two of the operation will see the goods shipped by boat to Port au Prince, where it will be met by members of VHP and volunteers.

     “The plan is to distribute the items in a number of ways,” said Butler.  “Certainly, our school/orphanage/children’s center can use a lot of help, but there are many others who can benefit.”

     While the program has been deemed a huge success, it hasn’t been without it’s cost.  “People were great in terms of donating things,” said Donna Thomas of VHP, “but we had to pay for the truck rental and transportation.  We are still a few thousand dollars short. To help out, and read more about the Spring Cleanup, please go to this link.

     While the truck is loaded and the goods are on their way, donations continue to be accepted.  If you, or someone you know is interested in a financial or material donation, please CONTACT US.