Mainstream news from Haiti in the aftermath of the earthquake continues to flow over the airwaves, but personal connections between many Americans and loved ones who are living or working in the island nation remain spotty at best.
For this reason, Riceboro residents John and Yvanette Stone are all the more grateful to have heard good news from Yvanette’s immediate family. John met Yvanette, a Haitian native, while working as a missionary in the impoverished country. "We’d been waiting anxiously, but my wife’s family just called to say they’re OK," Stone said.
One of Yvanette’s cousins was in Port-Au-Prince when the quake struck, and today he managed to make it back to the family’s home on the coast to ensure everyone was alright, Stone said. He added that they expect to get another call from the family soon.
While many still wait for updates, organizations throughout the United States are scrambling to gather aid and labor resources to deliver to Haiti. The Stones’ church, Savannah Christian Church, created a Web site for people who are interested in contributing to relief efforts, Operation Haiti: Hope."We’ll be forming teams soon to go over there, and right now we’re seeking medical and food supplies," Stone said. "We’re also just asking for prayer." He said the teams will hopefully include medical professionals, engineers and construction workers.
Savannah Christian’s aid Web site is www.sccgo.com. Other organizations seeking donations for aid include the American Red Cross (donors can text "Haiti" to 90999 and $10 will be added to their cell phone bills, or they can donate on the group’s Web site) and Habitat for Humanity (www.habitat.org/Haiti-Earthquake).