Remember when we did the toy drive here on Chasing Hazel for ENABLE HAITI?
It has been a while since you so generously donated the brand new toys that were shipped over to the orphanages in Haiti in February. We were overwhelmed with the generosity that Chasing Hazel supporters and readers demonstrated. You are wonderful people!
Things take a little longer than expected sometimes when dealing with a country that is volatile at the best of times. Jim and his team are some of the most determined, courageous people that I know. Going to a country like Haiti, personally, to hand out each and every item donated is something that I commend and hold in the highest regard. They are not afraid of what they might come up against, despite the civil unrest experienced in Haitian society. I am honoured to have been able to help out via Chasing Hazel and with all of you!
I hope you all know how much you are appreciated for your kindness.
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!
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Here is a follow up email that I got from Jim upon his return to Canada, including some pics of the experience (Jim is in the yellow shirt). What an absolutely amazing event we have taken part in...
Hello All,
My team of 3 and I traveled to Haiti in May to host a Christmas Party for our children at the orphanage. It was an absolutely wonderful experience as our children, ages 1 to 16, opened their first ever new Christmas presents. Their smiles, the laughter and complete joy filled the entire orphanage. They sang beautiful songs of thanks to us. It wasn’t the easiest of trips as we were stuck in Haiti an additional 6 days due to some unrest and Gang Activity in the area that kept us holed up in our hotel for a few extra days. However, in the end everything worked out wonderfully for our Christmas Party.
We collected new items including toys, hygiene products, books, clothes and shoes during the first few months of 2013. We packed them up in a 40 foot container and along with 53,000 lbs. of canned goods & pasta and we shipped them off to Port Au Prince. We brought along a lot of other much needed supplies such as cooking oil, soaps & detergents, bedding, medical supplies, bicycles, diapers, French books & school supplies, milk bag sleeping mats, towels and lines, soccer balls & uniforms and water purification drops as a result of your generous donations.
All of these items were distributed to our 2 orphanages, our 2 remote mountain settlements, our hospital and Rehab Center. These items have made a huge positive impact in the lives of some very needy people in Haiti. And by the way, although these Haitians have no real material goods, they would gladly give you the shirt of their backs. They are truly beautiful people.
Your heart & dedication to our cause is the reason we are able to do what we do. Without your support ENABLE Haiti, now a registered Not-For Profit, would never have been formed by us. It allows us to do some pretty incredible work in Haiti, a country that just never seems to get a break. We will continue to build schools, support our orphans and remote camps and our hospital and Rehab Center. We will continue to do the things necessary to Enable Haiti, including establishing organic vegetable farms and chicken farms. Our wish is to provide the materials and the skills for our people in Haiti to support themselves through farming, education, sewing and other trades. It will be wonderful when we can send our first special child to post-secondary schooling. That will happen in the not too distant future and it will be a wonderful accomplishment. We promise to continue to dedicate our time and efforts in Haiti to make their lives better than they are today.
WE ARE PLANNING ANOTHER TRIP IN OCTOBER AND WE WOULD GLADLY TAKE ANY ITEMS THAT YOU MAY NO LONGER NEED OR WANT.
We are in need of:
- Good conditioned clothing and shoes
- Hygiene products
- Rice and pastas
- Cooking oils
- Dried black beans
- New bedding & towels
- Kitchen supplies
- French books
- Light bulbs
- Batteries
From the bottom of my heart I thank you sincerely for your acts of kindness.
With Warm Regards
Jim
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If you happen to be cleaning out a closet or 2, please feel free to drop off any items that you think can be of assistance for the folks in Haiti.
You can drop off your donation here between the hours of 9 & 4:
Seguin Financial
3200 Deziel Dr. Suite 210
Windsor, On
N8W 5K8
In the Greenwood Center, just south of central off the expressway.
Or feel free to e-mail me and I will gladly arrange a pick up for your items.
Thanks again everyone for your continued support!!!
