RIDE 4 HAITI

A Month After the Quake, Haiti Needs to Rebuild

PADF-OAS-HUFH urge support for this critical phase

Washington, D.C., -- February 11, 2010 – Thirty days after the catastrophic earthquake that killed more than 170,000 people in Haiti, the Pan American Development Foundation renewed its call for financial support as the nonprofit and its partners are implementing plans to get Haitians to work, to rebuild their homes and to take care of their families.  HYPERLINK "http://www.PanAmericanRelief.org" www.PanAmericanRelief.org
“Today, hundreds of thousands of people continue to live under tarps, bed sheets or simply out in the open,” says Jimmy Jean-Louis, the actor and spokesperson for PADF’s disaster relief and recovery efforts. “We need to move survivors out of these miserable camps and into safe homes. I am asking people to contribute to this vital recovery and reconstruction phase by calling toll free (877) 572-4484.”
Jimmy Jean-Louis, who plays the “Haitian” on NBC’s hit series “Heroes,” thanked individuals, companies and governments for their initial support of relief efforts, which enabled PADF and its partners to provide food, water, shelter, medicine and other supplies to more than 35,000 people during the first few weeks after the quake.

3,000 Jobs & “Tagging” Homes
Although providing relief will continue for a few months, PADF, along with its partners Hollywood Unites for Haiti (HUFH) and the Organization of American States (OAS), has initiated its recovery and reconstruction in key areas of Port-au-Prince and the Southeast province.
Starting next week, PADF will put to work 3,000 Haitians in a massive clean-up operation in areas such as Cite Soleil and Bel Air. PADF’s program, which uses funds from the World Bank that were provided to the Haitian government, will eventually employ 6,000 Haitians during six months.
In a separate program, PADF starts to work on Feb. 12 with leading earthquake recovery expert Kit Miyamoto to “tag” homes.
The California-based structural engineer uses a high-tech inspection process to categorize buildings: “Green tag” means a home can be occupied; “Yellow tag” allows limited access until repairs are made; and a “red tag” indicates that it unsafe.
“Many engineers are red tagging buildings for destruction, but no one is placing the very vital green and yellow tags on homes that can be used,” says John Sanbrailo, PADF’s Executive Director. “Reassuring Haitians as to which homes are safe, as well as the rooms that may need to be repaired, is critical to getting people off the streets and into their homes.”
PADF’s goal is to inspect 20,000 buildings during the next few months, which Miyamoto will reach by training 50 Haitian engineers to use the technology.
“If PADF obtains enough financial support, our goal is to expand the inspections, as well as provide proper guidance and construction materials so Haitians can repair and rebuild their homes,” says Sanbrailo.
Individual and corporate donations to PADF-OAS-HUFH’s Haiti relief, recovery and reconstruction efforts are encouraged by calling toll-free in the U.S. (877) 572-4484 or visiting HYPERLINK "http://www.PanAmericanRelief.org"www.PanAmericanRelief.org. Text HEAL to 50555 in the U.S. to donate $5.

About HUFH
Hollywood Unites For Haiti is a non-profit charitable aid organization based in Los Angeles that that is lead by Jimmy Jean-Louis. HYPERLINK "http://www.hufh.org"www.hufh.org.

About the OAS
The Organization of American States (OAS) is the world’s oldest regional organization and today is comprised of 34 countries from Latin America and the Caribbean. HYPERLINK "http://www.oas.org"www.oas.org

About PADF
 PADF is a non-profit organization established in 1962 to promote, facilitate, and implement social and economic development in Latin America and the Caribbean. In the past year, it had more than 5.6 million beneficiaries in 18 countries.
 PADF is one of the largest non-governmental organizations in Haiti. With nearly three decades of work on the ground, PADF now manages a large portfolio of activities ranging from community-driven development to protecting human rights.
 Its headquarters is in Washington, D.C., and has field offices in Haiti, Colombia, the Dominican Republic and elsewhere. HYPERLINK "http://www.padf.org"www.padf.org

Eugene W. "Rod" Roddenberry Jr the newest Hero for Haiti

Hollywood Unites For Haiti (HUFH) gratefully acknowledges a major gift of $100,000 from Eugene W. "Rod" Roddenberry Jr.  Mr. Roddenberry is the son of the late Gene Roddenberry, the wunderkind mind behind multiple Star Trek television series and motion pictures, and the late actress/producer Majel Barrett-Roddenberry.  Mr. Roddenberry recently auctioned off precious Star Trek family memorabilia in order to make this generous gift a reality. 

This gift will allow HUFH and partner Pan American Development Foundation (PADF)  to provide tents, food, water and medical supplies to the people of Haiti, of which they still need more. With this gift, HUFH can not only provide shelters and meals to the general population, but can also help fund the work of another hero in Haiti, Bill Carter. Mr. Carter is an American ex-patriot in Haiti who is spending his entire modest monthly pension to run an orphanage for boys, called Morning Star. He operates on a shoestring budget, and there is never enough every month. Now HUFH can ensure his children are properly housed, fed and clothed and, in fact, plans to move Morning Star to a larger location as soon as practicable. Currently they are all living in a two-bedroom  residence with multiple bunks.

Mr. Carter describes the mission of Morning Star, " We are a youth treatment program for 18 boys currently aged 10 to 17. It's design is to train the boys in various ways .. . first to attend regular Haitian schooling and then get supplemental education at the mission. Boys are trained to become self-sufficient with basic life skills, computer training for those able. All are trained in first aid skills and assist in our clinic and then of course all are taught English by me."  He further adds, "Our boys have been silent heroes ever since the earthquake and have responded with their training in extraordinary ways."

In addition to ensuring the sustainability of Morning Star, HUFH's longer term goals include constructing a brand new residential school compliant with modern building codes. The school  would provide comprehensive educational curricula, sports programs, youth mentoring and real-world skills training as the students approach maturity.

A gift such as the one provided by Mr. Roddenberry makes a true impact on the lives of people that otherwise might not survive. The goal of HUFH is to not ensure that children survive, but that they thrive. Mr. Roddenberry is a true philanthropist and the newest hero for Haiti. 

For more information, please visit www.hufh.org www.haitianhero.com

 

Hearts for Haiti

You can combine the joy of Valentine's Day with the ability to help relief and recovery efforts in Haiti by enjoying a meal at a restaurant that is participating in Hearts for Haiti.

Chef Ron Duprat (Bravo's Top Chef Contestant in Season Six) created the innovative Hearts for Haiti to connect restaurants and their patrons with the ability to help people on the ground in Haiti.

On Valentine's Day, restaurants participating in Hearts for Haiti are asked to donate up to 10 percent of their proceeds to relief and recovery efforts. Restaurants around the country are eagerly joining the effort.

Chef Ron Duprat, who is Haitian and is the executive chef at Latitudes Beach Cafe in Hollywood, Florida, is joined by Bravo's Top Chef Season Six winner Michael Voltaggio in this terrific endeavor.

They teamed up with the following nonprofits as recipients of the proceeds: PADF; the Organization of American States; Hollywood Unites for Haiti, which was started by actor Jimmy Jean-Louis (NBC's Heroes); and the Kinship Circle for Disaster Relief.

Among the chefs and restaurants around the country who have committed to Hearts for Haiti:

California

• Michael Voltaggio of The Dining Room, Langham Huntington Hotel & Spa, Pasadena
• Mattin Nobilia of Iluna Basque Restaurant in San Francisco

Connecticut

• Adam Greenberg of Barcelona Wine Bar (several locations in Connecticut)

Florida

• Chef Allen Susser of Chef Allen’s Seafood Grill in Aventura, Florida
• Ron Duprat of Latitudes Beach Cafe at the Hollywood Beach Marriott in Hollywood, Fla.
• Sean Gavin of Crave Restaurant, Fort Myers, Fla.
• Niranjan Perera of Nilus Delights Bakery in Hollywood, Fla
• Timo Restaurant, Sunny Isles, Fla.
• Trina Restaurant at the Atlantic Hotel in Ft. Lauderdale

Georgia

• Hector Santiago of Pura Vida-Latino Tapas Restaurant & Bar, Atlanta

Oklahoma

• Andrew Black at Skirvin Hotel's Park Avenue Grill, Oklahoma City

One-hundred percent of the donations will go to the relief efforts.

If you are a restaurant and want to participate in this great endeavor, please contact:valeriepa@hotmail.com

20 tons of Disaster relief supplies

LAN CARGO donated the transportation for PADF-OAS-HUFH humanitarian shipment containing 20 tons of disaster relief supplies to Haiti that arrived on January 25 to Port-au-Prince.

Fundraising

In Miami, HUFH Board Member Kevin Sharpley, has been working around the clock to collect donations for the earthquake relief effort, and to organize fund raising benefits for HUFH. Collaborating with local businesses including Ebenenaturals, he has managed to collect essential items that will be shipped out to Haiti for earthquake survivors.

Kevin has also been instrumental in the organization of One love for Haiti, a benefit concert for Haiti Relief.
This Valentine’s Day give the gift of love and help the Haitian community by attending the ‘One Love for Haiti’ Benefit Relief Concert at the BankUnited Center at the University of Miami on Sunday, February 14th from 6PM-10PM.

Melky Jean, Jimmy Jean-Louis, Inner Circle, Cornelius MD, Sweet Micky, T-Vice, Frankie Paul, Alana Decosta, Screwdriver, 4th Dimension, R&B Sensation, Wayne Wade, Mawon, The Collaboration and King Yellowman*  are scheduled to appear as well as special surprise guests who will take the stage in this memorable event hosted in conjunction with YouKwik.com, ClassAct, and Hollywood Unites for Haiti.

With 100% of the proceeds from One Love for Haiti being donated directly to the relief and rebuilding of the Haitian Nation, this Valentine’s Day event gives the South Florida community the opportunity to unite and provide assistance and assurance to our Haitian neighbors. With everyone’s involved support, we are sure to open their hearts and provide an indication of hope for Haiti’s future!
* All artists and guest appearances are subject to change.Tickets
$25.00 prior to event and $35.00 day of the event
VIP Tickets and Suite Packages are also available. .

In Miami, Haitian-born Ron Duprat, perhaps best known from Bravo’s hit TV series “Top Chef” has teamed up with four fellow contestants, Mattin Noblia, Hector Santiago and Michael V. to welcome other fine chefs across the country in an all-chef Relief Benefit on St. Valentine’s Day for his native land. On February 14, all participating chefs and restaurants will donate up to 10 percent of their receipts to Hearts for Haiti: An American Dining Relief Benefit. The donated funds will be divided between two charities: Hollywood Unites For Haiti and Kinship Circle Disaster Relief. One hundred percent of the donated funds will go directly to on-the-ground relief efforts. Restaurants who wish to participate can contact
 Valary Bremier at valary@mindspring.com

So many people have given their time, expertise, and money to help HUFH help in Haiti, too many to mention but I thank you all.

HUFH continues its work with panamericanrelief.org to deliver aid to families. HUFH is also creating and supporting existing centers which provide shelter, food and safety for displaced youth at a time when they are most vulnerable to exploitation.

Thanks for the support!

Food Distribution

I am back in Los Angeles doing the essential work of raising funds and awareness to support PADF-OAS-HUFH in their work delivering aid to the survivors of the earthquake.

PADF-OAS-HUFH  served more than 35,000 people within the first 9 days of the earthquake with food, medicine and shelter. A large quantity of family sized tents and tarps is being shipped out in the next few days. These are critical as many families are sleeping outside, in the dirt. 

Today "family food packages" were  distributed to 600 people in PaP, 110 in Carrefour Hector, tomorrow another 400 in Cite Soleil. That will feed over 6,000 people for three days. 


People can now donate to the relief effort online at Donate or phone 1-877-572-4484 or to donate $5 Text Heal to 50555