First Oakville Container Leaves for Haiti!
February 12th, 2010 Categories: Containers of Hope for Haiti, Haiti Relief
Container ready to go!
All the boxes loaded up
Well folks, we did it!
Thanks to the contributions and collaborative work of so many, we have managed to fill an entire 40 foot container of emergency supplies for Haiti!
The container was loaded up by 10:30 am this morning, bound for New York City where it will be loaded on a boat this Wednesday Feb. 17th. It is expected to be in the Dominican Republic by Sunday Feb. 21st - where it will be met by Judy Warrington and representatives of the Moca, DR Rotary club.
It should take another week to deliver the container of supplies to the Grace Children’s Hospital in Haiti which is run by International Child Care and supported by Oakville’s own Dr. John Yates.
All told we were able to send:
- 375 tents
- 150 tarps
- 12 boxes of crutches and canes as well as 4 wheelchairs and 14 walkers
- 17 boxes of first aid supplies
- 124 boxes of blankets, sheets and towels
- 42 boxes of sleeping bags
- 43 boxes of personal supplies
- 13 boxes of buckets
- 8 boxes of reusable bags
Awesome group of volunteers
We were visited today by the Oakville Beaver and the Toronto Sun for a “photo op” of the send-off. This project has been a miracle of so many people and organizations coming together to generously offer their time, talents and resources to make a difference in the lives of people they will probably never meet.
It takes a lot of boxes to fill a forty footer
Fun sorting and packing donations
It’s been a lot of fun. We have made new friends and met so many wonderful people .
If you wish to volunteer as we continue this project, give me a call at 905 599 3311.
To find out how this project started read these posts:
Oakville residents rally to send emergency supplies to Haiti
Oakville residents work together to collect supplies: Containers of Hope for Haiti
| Discussion: No Comments »
Oakville residents work together to collect and send supplies: Containers for Haiti
February 3rd, 2010 Categories: Burlington Beat, Containers of Hope for Haiti, Haiti Relief, Oakville Events
At Royalton International warehouse, volunteers Diana, Diana and Kelta help sort boxes
What a whilwind it has been the last ten days as folks come out of the woodwork, eager to lend a helping hand!
A Toronto Marriott hotel donated bags of used sheets and bedding. Melissa’s Grade 7 class at St. Bernadette’s School have been gathering and sorting items all week. A truckload of tents is being brought to the warehouse, from Fergus. 200 backpacks wtih soap and useful stuff arrived from Sew on Fire Ministries….
Oh, and Cogeco’s news program “The Source will be coming to the warehouse on Thursday to do a couple of interviews, do a bit of filming, and help spread the word!
Don’t forget 3rd organizing meeting: Saturday, February 6, 9:30 a.m at 30 Normandy Place, off Kerr St. in Oakville. All interested parties come on out. We are having a blast while making a real difference for needy folks far away.
A couple of new drop off points in Burlington:
4060 Fairview Street, Unit 6-8 (E of Walkers Line) 8:30 – 12 noon.
1383 Roxburgh Crescent (Headon Road/Palmer) – evenings 5-9, weekends 10-2.
For more info on Burlington drop off arrangements, call Christine Childs at 905-484-6907.
Below is another article printed by the Oakville Beaver TODAY
Containers of Hope for Haiti adds drop-off locations
“It’s exciting to see people responding from the heart,” said Hilary Shantz. “Since the article appeared in Friday’s Beaver, people in Oakville and beyond have been calling with offers of help and donations of supplies.”
Items needed include new or used shelter supplies (tents, sleeping bags, tarps, mattress pads, blankets, towels, buckets, basins, pots, towels); food supplies (rice, beans, canned goods); personal supplies (soap, diapers, toilet paper, toothbrushes); first aid supplies (crutches, canes, walkers, sterile gloves, slings).
Drop-off locations include Evangel Pentecostal Church, Knox Presbyterian Church, St. Jude’s Anglican Church, Shaarei-Beth el Synagogue, Clarkson Road Presbyterian, Oak Park Moms and Tots Centre, John Knox Christian School, St. Bernadette’s Public School and Royalton International warehouse.
For a complete list of emergency supplies needed, and addresses and times for drop off, see ContainersOfHopeforHaiti.blogspot.com. More details on how this grassroots effort got started and is being organized, see www.theoakvillebuzz.com or Facebook Fan Page: Containers of Hope for Haiti.
See also a video of how Rotary volunteers in the Dominican Republic are transporting these emergency supplies direct to Haitians living in makeshift tents outside Port-au-Prince.
The first container leaves Feb.12. The container will be shipped from donated space at Royalton International in Oakville. Boxes, packing material and tape have been donated by United Van Lines and Inapak. Funding for containers and shipping, was donated by Rotary Club of Oakville Trafalgar, Rotary Club of Oakville Centennial and other private donors.
For more information, contact Judy Warrington, committee chair, at 905-338-2304 or [email protected].
| Discussion: 1 Comment »
Saving lives in Haiti – Oakville community responds quickly to send supplies
January 30th, 2010 Categories: Containers of Hope for Haiti, Haiti Relief, Oakville Events
Haiti Containers logo
- Oakville residents’ second meeting for Haiti Containers
Such a great spirit at our second Containers of Hope for Haiti committee meeting! Everyone was excited about progress made in just one week. The group had grown, with new residents coming out to help.
“When I read about it in the Beaver I decided to come because I like working at the grass roots level” said Diana Spremo.
Next meeting set for 9:30 a.m. Saturday Feb. 6 at 30 Normandy Place community room, off Kerr, all welcome.
Quick update on what’s happening.
More specific roles identified.
Wayne Shantz: Liaise with contact persons at drop off centres, and determine precise drop off times.
Diana Spremo: Update wish list/info sheet to be disseminated this afternoon to local churches and groups, especially in time for Sunday service announcement. (Wayne and I stopped by Shaarei-Beh El Synagogue this afternoon, project had been announced at service today.) Start a Facebook fan page for the project.
Melissa Carnelos: Create a url for www.containersofhopeforHaiti.com and start a dedicated blog. Make labels for containers.
Ken Barkman: Deliver large containers for donated items to drop off sites today.
Hilary Shantz: On-going P.R. Oakville Beaver, Oakville Today, regular updates to www.theoakvillebuzz.com, liaise with Pat Mareno, United Van Lines, who has donated boxes, tape and packing material, and will dropoff to Royalton warehouse Mon. Feb 1, 5:30 p.m.
OTHER NEEDS
- We need more drop off centres, especially in North Oakville
- Volunteers to help sort and pack
- Vans and drivers to help transport supplies from drop off centres to warehouse
- Donate items on wish list (see previous post)
- Donate cash to fund container and cover shipping. Cheques made to “RCOT Foundation” (stands for Rotary Club Oakville Trafalgar), specify on cheque “Haiti Containers”. Mail to Containers of Hope for Haiti, 313 Beechfield, Oakville, ON L6J 5H9, or call Barrie Howie for more info 905 844 2760. Tax receipt will be sent to you by mail from RCOT.
WHERE AND WHEN TO BRING SUPPLIES:
- Evangel Pentecotal Church, 1450 Rebecca by Third Line (5:30-8:30 p.m. M-F; Sun 10-12 NOON)
- Shaarei-Beth El Synagogue, 186 Morrison Road (9-4 every day, leave inside front door otherwise, will be taken in next day)
- Howie’s Residence, 331 Beechfield Rd (Ford/Devon) Anytime, if no one home, leave items in breezeway
- Royalton International warehouse, 2880 Portland Drive (Winston Churchill/Dundas) (Mon. Feb 1, Thur. Feb 4, Mon Feb 8 Thur Feb 11, all 5:30-8 p.m., and Sun. Feb 7, 2-5 p.m.)
- Knox Presbyterian Church, 89 Dunn/Lakeshore (9-4:30 M-F, Sun 9-12 noon)
- St. Judes Anglican Church, 160 William St. (8:30-4:30 M-F. all day Sunday)
To view video of Rotarians from Dominican Republic working in tandem with Brazilian peacekeeping troops to transport and distribute needed supplies to displaced Haitians, click here (Keep watching and you will see supplies being distributed in orderly manner to women and children, not like the chaos being televised in Port-au-Prince on CNN, this week.):
Emergency supplies distributed to Haitians in need by Rotarians from Dominican Republic
FIRST CONTAINER WILL LEAVE OAKVILLE FRIDAY, FEB 12, NOON
Judy spoke about how encouraged Moca Rotary President was about our support, as well as Antony one of our connections in Moca.
Questions, suggestions, other ideas, call Judy Warrington, 416-543-4570.
Lives are being saved by our efforts here in Oavkille. Let’s keep the momentum and teamwork going!
| Discussion: No Comments »
Oakville residents rally to send emergency supplies to Haiti
January 29th, 2010 Categories: Containers of Hope for Haiti, Haiti Relief, Oakville Events
Courtesy of Oakville Beaver, Photo and article in today's issue of Oakville Beaver
On Saturday, my husband Wayne and I joined a group of local residents for a meeting here in Oakville. This small group gathered to put their heads together to see if, and how, supplies might be sent from Oakville direct to earthquake victims in Haiti.
From that meeting “Containers of Hope for Haiti” was born.
Now, and over the next several months, residents of Oakville will be able to contribute much-needed supplies to Haitian earthquake victims in a direct, trusted and reliable way.
Heading the local committee for Containers of Hope for Haiti is Judy Warrington, a retired teacher. Judy has organized more than 20 volunteer trips to the Dominican Republic and sent several containers of used school furniture and supplies for Dominican and Haitian schools. This energetic Oakville resident knows how to work with D.R. and Haitian authorities to get supplies to folks in need!
Rotarians in the Dominican told Judy about the outpouring of Dominican help to Haiti, following the tragedy. From Moca and Puerto Plata, Dominican citizens and corporations are currently donating medical, shelter and food supplies in containers. (Video of volunteers in action to be posted shortly!)
Supplies are being taken by a convoy of trucks driven by volunteers and delivered direct to sites set up by the Haitian government just outside Port-au-Prince where displaced locals are living in makeshift tents.
“But Dominican Republic is not a rich country, and can only give so much. More supplies are needed.”
Judy will be travelling to Puerto Plata in a few weeks, and along with Rotary members in the Dominican, will meet the container at the port.
Cash donations from TWO ROTARY CLUBS IN OAKVILLE and other residents, including Mayor Rob Burton, will cover the cost of a 40 foot container and shipping.
Other Oakville citizens and business owners eager to help!
Already word of this effort is spreading in town. It has been heart-warming to see the quick response of fellow citizens in just a few days!
Victor Brewda, of Royalton International, donated his large warehouse and loading dock at 2880 Portland Drive, as the storage area where goods can be packed and loaded onto containers bound for the Dominican Republic.
Glen Moffat, owner of Eye Design Signz, quickly designed a banner and logo for us! 
Rotary and other residents fund containers
United Van Lines donate boxes, tape, packing material
Donations of medical supplies, tents, school backpacks, and other items have already been received. Atlas Van Lines, via KMG Royal Moving & Storage, has offered professional packers to help. United Van Lines in Mississauga has donated boxes, packing paper and tape.
HOW YOU CAN HELP!
Residents can donate items for Haiti.
Shelter Supplies:
Tents, tarps, sleeping bags, ground cover or thin mattress pads, blankets, towels, water purification tablets, buckets, pots (large) and spoons.
First Aid Supplies:
Sterile gloves, gauze, bandages, tape, cotton balls, swabs, slings, elastic bandage and antiseptic (Betadine type or Chlorohexidine soap type).
Personal Items:
Purell, soap, diapers, santary napkins, toilet paper, toothbrushes, toothpaste, Afro hair combs and hairibrushes.
Food items:
Beans, rice and other food items
Bags of rice, dried black beans, dried kidney beans, oil. (Black beans cooked with rice and a bit of oil, is staple diet for Haitians)
Canned beans, canned meat, canned tuna and sardines, crackers, cereal, milk tetrapacks, fruit juice tetrapacks and non-perishable food in general.
New or gently used items will be accepted. Residents are urged not to donate clothing, because it will not be allowed entrance by Dominican port authorities.
The first shipment is scheduled to leave February 12. As more donations come in, we hope to be able to send several more containers, as the need will be on-going.
DROP OFF POINTS IN OAKVILLE
St. Judes Church downtown is a drop-off point
Knox Prebyterian Church (Lakeshore Road & Kerr Street) February 1-10, Mon-Fri, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Evangel Pentecostal Church (Rebecca Street & Third Line) (when church is open)
St. Jude’s Church (William Street, downtown Oakville)
Howie’s residence (313 Beechfield Road, “If no-one home just leave items in breezeway”, say Oakville residents Barry and Mary-Jane Howie.)
Royalton International (2880 Portland Drive) Mon. Feb1, Thur. Feb 4, Mon. Feb 8, Thur. Feb 11 (5:30-8 p.m.). Sun. Feb 7, 2-5 p.m.
Shaari-Beth El Congregation, 186 Morrison Drive
Donations will be received at sites until Thursday, February 11. Container to be shipped February 12.
Next meeting of Containers of Hope for Haiti: Saturday, January 29 at 9:30 a.m., 70 Normandy Drive (off Kerr Street). All interested to help in any way are welcome to attend.
For more information, contact Judy Warrington at 905-338-2304 or [email protected].
Thanks to Oakville Beaver for taking photo and putting this news on the front page of today’s Oakville Beaver edition. More updates to come!
| Discussion: 1 Comment »
