Hollis Helps Haiti

March 22, 2010

Dear Friends,

Wonderful news! The shipping container has arrived in Haiti and goods we collectively gathered are being distributed throughout 19 communities there. Thank you so much for your heartfelt response to the earthquake victims in Haiti and ongoing effects of extreme poverty that pain that country. Without the care and hard work of so many individuals, businesses and organizations, it would have been difficult to fill the 53 foot container truck with necessary supplies, food and clothing.  I am proud that so many of you heard the call to action and stepped up to serve on this project.

After the filled truck left New Hampshire, it traveled to Virginia where it was transloaded into a second container truck by the freight shippers who had donated the free truck and freight to Florida, Estes Worldwide Shipping. From Virginia, it traveled to Florida where the goods were loaded into a shipping container by Missionary Flights International, who provided a better-than-half grant to move these goods directly and efficiently to Haiti. The remainder of the cost was covered, in large part, by a few local anonymous donors.  Now, less than a month from when we closed the door on the truck, supplies are being passed to those who so greatly need them. The shipping container was filled with the following: ninety 55 gallon drums and four 250 gallon storage containers each filled with a mix of clothing, food, personal hygiene items, medical supplies and household goods; 350 contractor bags filled with bedding, clothing and shoes; 4 tubs of additional hygiene and medical supplies; 36 tents, poignantly marked for individual families; 152 buckets for water collection; 60 cases of pretzels and numerous other items. That outpouring was directly from the hearts of you, your colleagues, neighbors and friends. I most sincerely thank you.

Whether you supported Hollis Helps Haiti and the Haitian Community Center through communicating with your patrons or neighbors, serving as a collection site, sorting clothes, supplying transportation, helping to pack the truck or donating toothbrushes, rice, clothing, or a tent, you served a vital role. It took all of us gathering around a common goal and using the strength of numbers to do this job well. It seems that each time a problem arose, one as small as a lull in goods to pack into the truck, to more significantly, the initially free boat transportation dissolving, someone in this radiating, radiant circle knew how to meet the need and did.  How greatly blessed was this community effort!

I hope that the people of Haiti continue to receive the warm support of their caring, global neighbors. I hope you continue to find ways to send your love, goodwill, and blessings to those who need it most.

Most humbly and gratefully yours,

Tanya Tenkarian

Hollis Helps Haiti

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