Earl, Paul Add Collection Point For Haiti Relief Effort

From the Rockland County Legislature

NEW CITY, NY — Rockland County Legislators Aney Paul and Toney Earl invite all who want to donate to the relief effort for Haiti to drop off items at the collection box at the Legislature’s office.

“The people of Haiti have so little and are suffering so much,” Legislator Paul said. “This is a way for anyone who wants to help to participate in the relief effort. If we pool our resources, a little bit soon becomes a lot. A few cans of food or some hygiene supplies from your closet will go a long way.”

Donations will be collected until Friday, Sept. 2, in the donation box by the Legislature’s office in the Allison-Parris County Office Building, 11 New Hempstead Road in New City. Drop-off hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please call the office at (845) 638-5100 to make different arrangements for drop-offs during non-office hours.

“The Aug. 14 earthquake, Hurricane Grace, the recent assassination of Haiti’s President and the coup attempt, the lingering effects of the crippling 2010 earthquake, the impoverishment of Haiti and so many other ongoing challenges cannot cause us to lose hope,” Legislator Earl said. “Together we can help Haiti recover and thrive. I know the Rockland County community, myself included, will do what it can, and I encourage everyone to please donate to this effort.”

After Hurricane Matthew devasted the Caribbean nation in 2016, Legislator Paul, a Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, participated with the Haitian American Nurses' Association in a medical relief mission to Haiti that involved everything from staffing a clinic to treat the sick and injured to packing bags of food for distribution to the hungry.

Legislators Earl and Paul, who represent Spring Valley, which is home to a large number of people of Haitian descent, have long worked to assist the local Haitian community, including backing extensions for Temporary Protection Status, or TPS. The status was issued to Haitian nationals as a result of the 2010 earthquake and allows refugees and immigrants to stay in the United States until their country recovers to ensure safe living conditions. TPS was recently extended until 2023 for Haitian nationals in the wake of the assassination of the country’s president.

No clothing or shoes are needed at this time.

Items needed for the relief effort: Nonperishable food, over the counter medicine, personal care products, baby & infant supplies, first aid kits, blankets, tents, air mattresses, solar lights, toiletries, feminine products, flashlights, batteries, extension cords, candles, facemasks, gloves, wash cloths, water, alcohol 95 percent, hand sanitizer.

All items will be delivered to the offices of Konbit Neg Lakay in Spring Valley. The nonprofit organization, along with Rockland Haiti Relief, will take the items to those in need in Haiti. The first shipment is expected to be sent in early September and then be personally distributed by the volunteers.

More than 2,200 people have so far been confirmed dead after the 7.2 earthquake hit on August 14. More than 12,000 people have been injured and more than 53,000 houses have been destroyed.

SEE ALSO: Rockland Jewish Community Pledges $1 Million Relief Aid For Haiti