Philadelphia Area Agencies Raising Money for Haitian Relief Efforts

The Haitian Professionals of Philadelphia's (HPP) Earthquake Relief Response has already left on its first mission to Haiti. They are in need of doctors, nurses and donations. They are coordinating with The Haitian Coalition of Philadelphia, the Haitian Clergy of Philadelphia, Beyond Borders, the Mayor's Office, Temple Haitian Student Association, University of Pennsylvania Haitian Student Association, Congressman Brady's office, Philadelphia Young Democrats and political officials to draw up a plan to provide assistance to Haiti.

Check for updates on www.hpphilly.org and www.vivantartcollection.com/events/ on how to help. HPP asks people to do following:

1. Call elected officials in your area and ask them to partner with HPP.

2. Make a donation via PayPal to "Haitian Professionals of Philadelphia to the Haitian Relief Fund."

2. Donate these Supplies: cots and tents; basic first aid supplies; water and non-perishable food items; generators and industrial building supplies; diapers, baby clothes, wipes and bottles. Visit this webpage for drop-off sites in Philadelphia and more information.

Life Church in Allentown, Pennsylvania, waited anxiously when the news of the Haitian earthquake broke. Sponsors of an orphanage In Port-au-Prince, they were building a school and medical center. They feared the worst. "We didn't know if they were still alive," said the Pastor, Rev. Dave Jones. Minutes after the quake, a text message arrived assuring them that although the building crumbled, the 12 children and five staff members were alive and had food enough for a week. They heard nothing for the next 36 hours. Another text arrived on Thursday morning, reassuring them that all was well, although they were sleeping outside. By then, a three person team, consisting of senior pastor Randy Landis, Missions Pastor Ramon Crespo, and church member Ramon Corales, had already headed to the Dominican Republic with 800 pounds of supplies, joining a Danish envoy headed to Port-au-Prince.

Mission Director Ramo Crespo said, "If our building is still in place, we're going to use that as a first response for that community." Sending out calls for help through social networking sites for volunteers to collect and pack supplies, people both inside and outside of the church have responded. Pastor Crespo says that, over the next few weeks, several other groups plan to mobilize from Life Church and head for Haiti, probably at the end of January, and more in February and March. They will take any help they can get. Visit the church's website here to find out how to help them with their Haiti mission.

Radio Heavenly Vision 88.5, a small Haitian radio station in Northeast Philadelphia, is keeping local immigrants apprised of news in earthquake-ravaged Haiti. Programming director Jean Boucher works from a tiny, cramped studio on the second floor of a home in Lawndale, and is monitoring the only working radio station in Haiti, which is allowing people on the air for two seconds to say they're alive. Boucher was relieved to learn that his own family survived. Fritz Momperousse, his reporter, however, was still waiting for information about his family. "All lines are down," he said. "We feel like we're in a cage. I haven't any news from my parents. That's devastating." Here is their website if you'd like to help the station continue to connect people to their Hatian relatives and provide aid.

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Red Cross is assisting with earthquake relief in Haiti. You can make an automatic $10 donation to the Red Cross by texting "Haiti to 90999," the money being charged to your cell phone bill. You may also donate $5 via your cell phone to Wyclef Jean's grassroots organization at, "Text Yele to 501 501."

The Salvation Army of Greater Philadelphia will accept donations to Haitian relief at its website, by mail, or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769).

This link lists many more places where you can donate to the Haitian earthquake relief fund.

Sources: KYW1060.com; Philly.com; YoungPhillyPolicitics.com; List of agencies accepting donations