Efforts underway to give to earthquake victims
Local hands reach out to Haiti

 Wanda English Burnett
Editor

The cry for help from those directly affected by the earthquake in Haiti last Tuesday, January 12 has been heard around the world and Ripley County has joined those responding.

The quake that measured a preliminary magnitude of 7.0 has had a horrific impact on hundreds of thousands of people in one of the poorest countries in the world. It rocked the capital city of Haiti, Port-au-Prince ,and reporters have shown death and destruction like people have not seen before.

News stations constantly report from the tragic scene and help is desperately needed in many ways.
According to Executive Director of the Ripley County Red Cross, Sandy Vanderbur, local residents can help and never leave their homes.

The Ripley County Red Cross is working with the International Red Cross to raise money to send food, water, shelter, medical assistance and emotional support to thousands.

It’s easy to send a donation. All you have to do is text message 90999, then text the word HAITI and you will be billed $10.00 on your next phone bill with all the money going to help the Red Cross assist those in need. You can also send a monetary donation to Ripley County Red Cross, P.O. Box 221, Versailles, IN 47042, and mark “Haiti Earthquake” in the memo.

Hill-Rom, Batesville, has created a Disaster Relief Matching Donation program for their employees. Any employee of the company can donate and the company will match their donation 100 percent.

The Lions Club International Foundation has responded to the need as well. A day after the earthquake in Haiti, the organization awarded a $50,000 Major Catastrophe Grant to support immediate disaster relief efforts. They have established a designated fund, “LCIF Haiti Earthquake Relief” for the disaster. Checks can be made payable to LCIF, 300 W. 22nd Street, Oak Brook, IL 60523, attention: Donor Services. You can also call to make a credit card donation by phone at 630-571-5466, ext. 517 or 581 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. You can go online at www.lcif.org/donate.

Member of the Versailles Lions Club and world traveler, John Halford, noted that he has been in the area affected by the earthquake and knows the need is great. He urges people to give to this great need.