Port Rallies to Help Haiti

Local groups horrified by the recent devastation in Haiti are mounting their efforts to raise funds for medicine, food and supplies to help those in need. Only a few days after the massive earthquake which caused what many are calling a "tragedy of biblical proportions," local churches, synagogues, businesses and schools have mobilized in a relief effort.

During Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend, The Dolphin Book Shop will donate 10 percent of its gross sales to Partners In Health (PIH), an organization that has been working on the ground in Haiti for over 20 years. "We were first introduced to Dr. Paul Farmer's enduring work in Haiti through a deeply moving book, 'Mountains Beyond Mountains,'" Dolphin's owner Patti Vunk said. "We believe his group is effective and will make immediate and excellent use of the funds."

Another local business, Lou Babs & Moogs plans to give 10 percent of its online sales through February to the American Red Cross Haiti Relief Fund. "It's really important that even though they're very far away that we take time to really understand what they're going through," Helen Leib, the store's owner said. "It's just impossible for us to imagine what they're going through."

Leib said by donating proceeds from sales that people will get something that they want but still be doing good. "By shopping and fulfilling their gift needs, they get to help this cause at the same time," Leib said. "Even though you're only donating a small amount, it really does add up to something significant."

The saying "every penny counts" is even more significant when it comes to relief efforts like this. St. Peter of Alcantara will be asking parishioners to give a bit extra during each service this weekend. The money raised will be sent to the Diocese of Rockville Center for distribution in Haiti. "The news is shocking and we'll be doing our best with prayers and extra collections," said the church's pastor, Father Pat Whitney.

Likewise, St. Stephen's Episcopal Church will donating all contributions collected over the next two weekends to the Episcopal Relief Development Fund. The Reverend Barbara Hutchinson, assistant rector, said, "We're responding with compassion and mercy to the heartache and suffering. The need is enormous, both now in the aftermath of Tuesday's earthquake and for years to come."

The Port Jewish Center and The Community Synagogue have sent mass e-mails to their over 1,300 members to ask for financial donations to be sent to the Union for Reformed Judaism in Manhattan, which will go to helping those in need in Haiti. "Many of us wish we could lend a physical hand in the efforts," said Rabbi Sheila Goboloy of the Port Jewish Center, "but we are hearing from aid organizations that the best way to help is to send cash donations. The URJ, which retains no administrative overhead for itself, will distribute the sum of its collection effort to pre-vetted organizations with which it has long-established relationships. And, of course, we'll forward any checks that are dropped by our offices." 

Rabbi Irwin Zeplowitz of The Community Synagogue added, "We join forces with others, of all faiths, in prayers and in working together to help heal those who have been hurt and to help repair the damage in this troubled land."

Senator Craig Johnson, who lives in Port Washington with his wife and two sons, is a congregant of the Port Washington Jewish Center. He informed his constituents through an e-mail that he has teamed up with The Haitian American Family of Long Island and The American Red Cross to help in their efforts. "We need to help our neighbors however we can," Johnson said, "whether down the street or across the world."

The Port Washington School District is hoping to lend a helping hand as well. There are signs around Schreiber High School requesting donations. District representatives did not return phone calls to confirm exactly what type of donations are needed and where they will be sent.

Richard Strautman, Executive Director of The Community Chest of Port Washington, said the organization would like to help in any way it can but that its corporate charter prohibits the organization from making donations outside Port Washington. "We just held our quarterly meeting and sadly this was confirmed," Strautman said. "Informally, we'll be trying to help our member organizations do something."

Whether residents want to donate a dollar or hundreds, it's clear that they have many options with the community. The local Daniel Gale/Sotheby's office has already collected contributions for Doctors Without Borders, an international medical humanitarian organization working in more than 60 countries to assist people whose survival is threatened by violence, neglect, or catastrophe.

Daniel Gale/Sotheby's sales manager Emma McMahon said, "We all need to count our blessings and share with those in need."