On February 25, twelve Lincoln Christian University (LCU) students and three members of the faculty and staff gathered to pack a trailer full of items collected for the Haitian Christian Outreach (HCO) earthquake response efforts. LCU and HCO would like to thank the Lincoln, Logan County and LCU communities for their generous donations to the "Love Offering to Haiti" during the month of February.
More than 60 individual and organizations donated cash and a variety of relief items between February 8 and 20, delivering them to Taylor Hall on the LCU campus for sorting and delivery to the HCO warehouse. Donations included an impressive collection of 59 pairs of crutches and 12 walkers along with several canes and walking boots. First to be loaded, were over 56 cases of bottled water. More than 400 jars of peanut butter were packed along with case after case of packaged food items. Almost four tables full of medical supplies (bandages, pain relievers, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, and more) were packed in donated plastic tubs. Even baby items (formula, baby food, bottles, medicines, etc) filled more than six large plastic tubs. Top those donations off with tubs of linens, gloves and candles. Even a generator was left by an unidentified donor.
HCO Collection Coordinator Todd Beavers was in Champaign/Urbana when the truck and trailer arrived and helped to unload. "First of all, I want to say thank you," says Beavers. "The majority of these donations are from people I will never know or meet and are being shipped to a country most folks haven't, and likely will never visit."
The "Love Offering to Haiti" donations have been added to the truckloads of supplies delivered from as far away as Ohio and Tennessee. So far, HCO has filled more than 100 pallets with earthquake relief donations and received financial donations from at least five foreign countries. LCU will add $2,615 collected during the "Love Offering to Haiti" from students, organizations and community members.
According to Beavers, "You have never seen so many donated crutches, ibuprofen, canned meats, gauze, children's vitamins, and Tylenol (adult and children's) as what we had donated. We estimated around 4,500 pounds of peanut butter alone!"
HCO has been sending personnel and supplies to Haiti since the beginning of the response efforts. A full 40-foot sea worthy container has also started its journey to Haiti. They are hoping to schedule a second 40-foot container pick-up this week.
Click here for a list of known donors and volunteers.
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