Outreach to Haiti Continues Donations to Re-Stock Hospital Needed

We have now marked the six month anniversary of the devastating earthquake in Haiti that killed at least 230,000 people. As several MI employees know all too well, families both in Haiti and their relatives in the United States are continuing to struggle to cope with the emotional and economic impact of this disaster.

With the support of the Donate Haiti fund established at Mary Immaculate, in recent months, a number of MI staff members have traveled to their native country bringing with them medical supplies and toiletries donated through MI efforts. They have seen first hand the destruction and human toll wrought by the earthquake and its aftermath, and they have returned with a list of supplies and provisions that would be most helpful to the Haitian people.

Mary Immaculate is continuing to respond to the needs of the people of Haiti and has begun a collection program to ship these supplies to those who need it. “When our staff returned from Haiti, they reported on conditions we can only dimly imagine,” said Kathy Callahan, director of mission integration at Mary Immaculate. “We wanted to identify a project where we could make a real difference, and have decided to help re-stock Dumarsais Estime des Verrettes, a Haitian small hospital We are asking for donations of twin sheets flat and fitted; towels; face cloths; any type of over the counter medicine such as Tylenol or Benadry and antibiotic ointmentl; as well as Band-Aids; toothpaste, and other personal hygiene items. We are also collecting gently used athletic shoes or sneakers for children of both sexes.”

Beginning July 26, shipping bins will be placed in lobbies throughout the MI campus, and staff member as well as anyone from the public is welcome to help fill them. Mary Immaculate will then ship them to Haiti. For those who would like to make monetary contributions, checks may also be mailed to the attention of Patricia Salach, Mary Immaculate Health/Care Services, 172 Lawrence Street, Lawrence, MA 01841. Please earmark your gift “Donate Haiti.”