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Residents continue to step up for Haiti
Various projects are planned to help in the relief effort.
YOUNGSTOWN — People of the Mahoning Valley continue to help the victims of the earthquake in Haiti.
Jason Boyd, founder of Vida Amor Wellnss and Fellowship Ministry, said the ministry will conduct a candlelight prayer vigil from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday in front of Buffalo Wild Wings, 50 Federal Plaza West.
“We want our prayers to send out blessings to the people of Haiti,” Boyd said.
The ministry, which has about 25 members, focuses on a holistic approach to mind, body and soul. But Boyd said they also wanted to do something practical to help the Haitians.
Doug Esenwein, regional manager of Buffalo Wild Wings, said the company has various fund-raising programs to help local charitable organizations. He said that when Boyd told him about the prayer vigil, the restaurant stepped up to help raise funds.
“We’ll be distributing coupons for customers to use. Fifteen percent of their purchase will go to Haiti relief,” he said. Alcoholic beverages are not included.
Esenwein said the coupons will be available all day at the restaurant, not just during the prayer vigil.
Gail Froomkin, a representative of Mahoning Chapter of the Red Cross, will be on hand to help collect monetary donations to the Haiti relief effort.
“There’s a need, and people want to make a difference,” Boyd said.
In another project, Patrick McBane, executive director of Marketplace Solutions, is leading a fundraiser for an Emergency Response Backup Utility Systems unit. The mobile unit provides power, water purification, heating, ventilating, air conditioning, satellite communications and temporary shelter. It costs $180,000 and is made by ERBUS Inc. of Edina, Minn.
Marketplace Solutions is a ministry for marketplace and city transformation whose purpose is to equip, connect and mobilize marketplace leaders with a goal of achieving spiritual, economic and social transformation of individuals and nations. It is a nonprofit organization.
McBane said an ERBUS unit will be flown by the Air Force from Minnesota to the Dominican Republic.
“We want to raise the funds so that the unit stays there,” he said.
McBane said the ramifications of the earthquake in Haiti will last five to 10 years. McBane said ERBUS would be a helpful resource in Haiti.
McBane said Bill and Karen Rumple, former Mahoning Valley residents, operate Grace and Peace Missionary Fellowship (www.- gracepeacemission.com) in the Dominican Republic. They are serving as the liaison to ERBUS Inc.
The ministry has an evangelism and children’s Bible programs, assists widows with housing and medical care, provides fresh water and sponsors a medical clinic. Also, its building program has constructed houses, churches and cisterns.
Donations for the unit are being accepted. Send checks made out to Marketplace Solutions with Haiti written in the memo to: Marketplace Solutions, 1852 Selma Ave., Youngstown, OH 44504. Visit www.4marketplacesolutions.org for more information.
St. Patrick Church, 1420 Oak Hill Ave, will sponsor a benefit spaghetti dinner for the earthquake victims in Haiti from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. next Sunday in the social hall. Proceeds will fund Catholic Relief Services humanitarian aid in Haiti as well as support the Orphanage for Disabled Children in Haiti, a charity being funded by St. Michael Church in Canfield. Catholic Relief Services has been in Haiti for more than 50 years, and the agency provides aid to all people in need in the country, the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere.
The dinner menu includes the main entr e, salad, bread, dessert and beverage. Carryouts also are available. The cost is $6.50 for adults and $3.50 for children 8 and younger. For information, call the church office at (330) 743-1109.
Trinity Lutheran Church, 56 N. Chestnut St., Niles, will sponsor a meatball-sub sale from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Orders may be placed in advance by calling (330) 652-6078; walk-ins also are welcome. The subs cost $5 each. All proceeds will be matched 2-to-1 by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, a faith-based, nonprofit financial-services membership organization.
HOW TO HELP
Red Cross donations: Mahoning, Trumbull and North Columbiana chapters are accepting money donations. Send donations, earmarked for Haiti relief, to: Mahoning Chapter Red Cross, 8392 Tod Ave., Boardman, OH 44512, (330) 726-6063; Trumbull Chapter, 661 Mahoning Ave. NW, Warren, OH 44483, (330) 392-2551; or North Columbiana County, 5843 Ohio 45, Lisbon, OH 44432-9396, (330) 424-6610. Visit www.redcross.org to make a donation.
Burlington Coat Factory, 529 Boardman-Canfield Road, Boardman, is collecting monetary donations for the Red Cross and its Haiti Relief and Development Fund.
Catholic Relief Services: The Catholic Diocese of Youngstown is accepting monetary donations to support the work of Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in Haiti. CRS is the official overseas relief and development agency of U.S. Catholic bishops, which provides emergency assistance. Send donations, earmarked for Haitian Earthquake Fund, to Catholic Relief Services, in care of the Office of Social Action, Catholic Diocese of Youngstown, 144 W. Wood St., Youngstown, OH 44503. Donations may be made through the Web site, www.ccdoy.org, by credit card or Paypal. For information, call Brian Corbin, diocesan director of CRS, at (330) 744-8451, ext. 320.
To donate $10 to the American Red Cross, text Haiti to 90999. The amount will be added to your next phone bill. The organization is also accepting donations through its International Response Fund, www.redcross.org.
To find out how to help the International Rescue Committee, visit www.theIRC.org or call toll free, (877) REFUGEE.
To donate through Oxfam’s emergency appeal, visit www.oxfam.org.uk.
To check the welfare of friends, relatives: People trying to locate U.S. citizens living or traveling in Haiti should contact the U.S. Department of State, Office of Overseas Citizens Services, at (888) 407-4747 or (202) 647-5225.