It was six weeks ago today that the magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck the Caribbean island country of Haiti, reportedly the worst earthquake the country suffered in nearly 200 years. As we watched the devastation unfold on our televisions and our computers, we were reminded of the destruction of so many other natural disasters, including Hurricanes Katrina (2005) and Ike (2008), and the Indian Ocean Tsunami (2004). As is our nature, we wanted to help; so we tuned in and waited to be told what we could do and where we could donate. And then in a flash (on our collective screens) it started. Facebook users and bloggers posted numbers where $10 donations could be sent directly through text messages from our cell phones to the American Red Cross and other Haiti Relief organizations. News reporters listed addresses and phone numbers of agencies that were accepting donations. School children collected loose change. Religious organizations collected medical supplies, food, and monetary offerings. Local community businesses held drives to collect new and gently used clothes and toys. We couldn’t all go with the search and rescue teams or the medical professionals who would be involved first-hand, but we could send a little help and a little hope.
At Lois Schneider Realtor, we were so proud to join with other Realtors from our area to gather what we could to send with Danny Jahns, a former Short Hills resident and current documentary filmmaker, as he went to Haiti to help the children. We invite you to follow his blog, www.operationhopeforhaiti.wordpress.com, for the story of his time with the doctors and nurses who have given so generously of their time. We advise that some of the medical images are graphic and difficult to view, but the images of the smiling children with the toys and clothes that he was able to deliver from our corner of the world are absolutely priceless.
Lois Schneider Realtor's Blog 