PLEASE CONSIDER HELPING TO SUPPORT MY TRIP TO HAITI AS A VOLUNTEER RELIEF WORKER
Thank you for your time and interest. On March 16th, I will be traveling to Haiti to aid in the massive relief effort underway in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that struck Port-au-Prince on Jan. 12, 2010. I need your help so that I can do my part in helping the suffering people of Haiti.During the month of March I will be joining Project Leogane, the latest effort of the Massachusetts based organization, Hands On Disaster Response.
HODR has a successful track record of integrating with communities in disaster areas in desperate need of help. Currently, HODR is operating response projects in Haiti and Indonesia. Both, earthquake effected areas with poor infrastructure and high rates of poverty.
Previous response projects, both large and small, include flood response in New York and Iowa, Tornado Response in Arkansas and Missouri, Earthquake response in Peru and Italy, Tsunami Response in Thailand, and Hurricane response in the Philippines, Bangladesh, and Biloxi, Mississippi following Hurricane Katrina.
HODR goes wherever there is need, here at home or abroad. It's success, however, is 100% dependent on the manpower provided by volunteers who are willing and able to travel to effected areas.
HODR is able to provide volunteers with food, shelter, and a plan of action once arriving in the disaster area. All other expenses are funded by the volunteers, either out-of-pocket or through fund-raising efforts like this.
Expenses include:For those of you who know me personally, I am hesitant to ask for help with even the smallest task. Today I am asking for your help with a very BIG task. Please help me get to Haiti!
- Travel to and from project area (air and land)
- Legal Documentation - Passport and Visa
- Travel Insurance
- Vaccination and other disease prevention measures (Medication, mosquito netting and repellents)
- Minimal daily living expenses while volunteering
YOUR DONATION WILL GO 100% TO PUTTING A RELIEF WORKER INTO ACTION.
SOMEONE YOU KNOW, SOMEONE YOU CAN TRUST!
THANK YOU FOR HELPING MAKE A DIFFERENCE
SOMEONE YOU KNOW, SOMEONE YOU CAN TRUST!
THANK YOU FOR HELPING MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Thank You for your time and consideration!
Your friend,
Rich Palatino
Project Leogane Volunteer
March 7 - April 1, 2010
NOTE: A full account of expenditure will be published on my return and any surplus funds raised will be donated to Hands On Disaster Response.
Whether we realize it or not, we are all so fortunate, everyday! We have warm homes, plenty of food, clean water, access to basic health care, peace, and security. We have the luxury of making sure we experience a maximum amount of comfort everyday...and we should! And even when things do go wrong, we DO have so much to fall-back on, so many safe-guards! If you are hungry, sick,or whatever the case may be, there is always somebody, friend or stranger, ready to help. With this in mind, let us think of the everyday Haiti, the poorest country in our hemisphere and one of the poorest in the World! Now, factor in the disaster to strike Port-au-Prince...the suffering is immeasurable!
I believe that there should be a minimum standard of living for all human beings. Unfortunately, that isn't the case just yet. We've all seen the pictures, the news reports. Initially, I heard of the quake over the radio waves while serving as Caretaker of a backcountry cabin in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. A few days passed before I saw a newspaper depicting the devastation in Port-Au-Prince. I was beside myself. In total shock over the extent of human suffering that had and would continue to occur in Haiti.
As with the Tsunami that struck Indonesia in2004 and Hurricane Katrina, the latest earthquake in Haiti effected me deeply and, like years before, I was compelled to help! In those earlier years, I was left wishing I could do more then just donate money and goods, which, when it comes right down to it, is the basis for all aid. Still, I was left wishing I could do more. Of course, Everyone can understand, however, life seldom allows you to just drop everything to lend a helping hand when natural disasters strike away from home.
This time, as planned, my duties as full-time cabin caretaker would conclude on February 1, 2010, making me available at the relative beginning of what would be, no doubt, a very lengthy rebuilding effort in Haiti.
From that point, I couldn't ignore the obvious need in Haiti, I felt it everyday,I couldn't comprehend the magnitude of devastation, but I couldn't just forget about it either. And, most importantly, I couldn't ignore the obvious opportunity fate dealt me in finally being available to possibly "Do More" in a great time of need.
And so, instead of spending the remainder of the winter enjoying the mountains of New England like I planned, I began searching for a relief agency that could make use of my time and strong desire to help, despite a lack of medical skills or prior experience working in disaster relief.
I had almost given up when only a few days ago, through a friend and climbing partner, I found out about HODR. From the minute I started reading I knew this was the organization I had been searching for, the opportunity that I hoped existed. HODR's "maximum impact and minimum bureaucracy" approach means it is effective at mobilizing people like myself, those ready,willing, and able to help, and in overcoming the incredible logistical obstacles that come with providing much needed aid.
I am so thankful for Hands On Disaster Response. They have given me an opportunity to make a difference in a community that is suffering in ways we can only imagine! I can't wait to get to work and begin helping, but I do need your help!
Maybe you've already donated to the massive relief effort. If so, consider giving again. If not, this is your chance! Every penny helps....believe me!
Thank You for your time and consideration!
Your friend,
Rich Palatino
Project Leogane Volunteer
March 16 - April 7, 2010
Click ChipIn! to make your secure, online donation right now! Thank You!
YOUR DONATION WILL GO 100% TO PUTTING A RELIEF WORKER INTO ACTION.
SOMEONE YOU KNOW, SOMEONE YOU CAN TRUST!
THANK YOU FOR HELPING MAKE A DIFFERENCE
SOMEONE YOU KNOW, SOMEONE YOU CAN TRUST!
THANK YOU FOR HELPING MAKE A DIFFERENCE
NOTE: A full account of expenditure will be published on my return and any surplus funds raised will be donated to Hands On Disaster Response.
