A local non-profit had Haiti in its heart long before the devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake that hit Port-Au-Prince on Tuesday, Jan. 12.
To Love a Child, Inc. has been working with an orphanage in Port-Au-Prince since April 2009, providing food, clothing and other support services to roughly 29 orphans ages 1 to 18. Those orphans and their caretaker survived the quake and are living under a tarp on the street since the orphanage was demolished. Now, their needs are even more urgent and a group of Clifton Park residents is trying to make sure they get the help they need.
Myla Kramer works at Clifton Park Town Hall and knew how much To Love a Child, Inc. meant to the deputy town clerk, Theresa Brobston, its president. Kramer adopted a daughter from an orphanage in Russia, so the earthquake’s devastation hit home, and she said she knew she couldn’t walk away from an opportunity to help. She batted around some ideas with her coworkers and decided to host a benefit concert at Northern Lights on Saturday, Jan. 30, from 3 to 9 p.m.
Theresa came in after the quake and was very upset and concerned for the orphans over there. I think everyone was having the same types of conversations, thinking about the devastation and feeling a little helpless, said Kramer. `We wanted to do something to help her group so when they go back [to Haiti] they can go with a lot more items and money to buy building supplies. This isn’t a town hall effort; it’s just us helping a friend.`
Local bands like Soul Session, Captain Squeeze and the Zydeco Moshers, Vivid and Cryin’ Out Loud performed and there was a bounce house and face painting for kids. All proceeds went to To Love a Child, Inc.
Brobston was supposed to travel to Haiti with five others on Monday, Jan. 18, to deliver supplies to the orphanage and a church that houses a school in Hantlamouhaie. After the earthquake, the trip was postponed because there was an immediate need for a different team of people and supplies. The organization was able to get together14 bags of supplies that three volunteers who flew into the Dominican Republic on Thursday, Jan. 21, will distribute. The organization sent toiletries and nutrition bars, and each child will receive a couple of outfits and a pair of shoes.
`I had each child’s foot traced on a piece of paper so we would know what size they wore. Before we knew they were OK, I was worried I’d have to use that tracing paper to identify them,` said Brobston.
She said the group was also able to squeeze in a few stuffed animals and small toys so the children had something to hold on to and medical supplies that nurses and doctors in the area would be in dire need of.
Brobston said she was touched and grateful to learn of her coworkers’ interest and efforts.
`It meant the world to me to know that the people I work with [care.] I’m so blessed to have people around me that are so caring and so giving. When I let them know that our plans had changed [for the mission], everyone stepped up went out during their lunch hour to get supplies and anything they could offer for [Thursday’s] trip,` said Brobston. `I think this just goes to show you that the people who work at government agencies do have hearts and support each other and their community. I’m so proud of them.`
Greg Speck of Captain Squeeze and the Zydeco Moshers said the band was happy to help out, especially since Haiti’s disaster reminded them of Hurricane Katrina, for which they organized a fundraiser that brought in $3,000.
`Katrina really hit home for all of us in the band since our music was born in the bayous of Louisiana this is just a small way we can offer aid to the their nation and people, especially the orphans that will need all the help possible to maintain life,` said Speck.
To Love a Child, Inc.’s long term goal is to rebuild the orphanage. Short term, all money raised will go toward building a temporary structure for them to live in in the Haitian countryside, where the displaced are flocking. Donations are being accepted at www.toloveachild.org.
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