UPDATE: 1/16/10 2:15 AM EST: Please read most current update: Haiti Volunteer Project: Evening Update 1/15/10
[Special Note 1/14/10 @1:54 EST] We are working to connect qualified volunteers with reputable and well established NGOs on the ground. If you are someone wanting desperately to help but don’t have these qualifications, we strongly encourage you to donate to the following:
- UNICEF. Go online to unicefusa.org/haitiquake or call (800) 4UNICEF.
- Red Cross. Go online to redcross.org, or call (800) REDCROSS.
- Direct Relief International. Donate online at directrelief.org.
- Mercy Corp. Go online to mercycorps.org or mail checks to Haiti Earthquake Fund, Dept. NR, PO Box 2669, Portland, Ore. 97208 or call (888) 256-1900
Photo: RJ Bejil
Here’s the latest:
When I went to bed at 4 AM this morning, I’d already responded to 70 people who’d reached out to say “I want to go help Haiti.”
When I woke up an hour ago, my inbox had 130 new messages.
Everyone’s looking for a way to help Haiti; they just need someone or some group–like Matador–to organize it.
I’ll be updating you all day with developments related to the trip, and will be posting ways you can help even if you can’t travel with us.
The big update is this:
I’ve just gotten off the phone with JetBlue representatives, who are working on logistics. We should have an update this afternoon around 5 PM EST.
If you’re on Twitter, retweet this message:
Critical #Haiti update: @JetBlue is currently working on logistics. Stay tuned. THANK YOU @JetBlue. We can do this!
In the meantime, I’d like to share some of the volunteers’ stories with you:
“I am arriving to Puerto Plata on Friday for a previously planned vacation with my boyfriend. We are willing to join your group to volunteer if it is safe and feasible (we have a car) so I look forward to seeing how that plan comes together.”
“I have no idea where to even start but I did a quick google search and I have a HUGE feeling in my heart that I need to get to Haiti as soon as possible to do whatever I can to help these people. I have little money, but I have been a dairy farmer my whole life and I am more than able to work long and hard for these people.”
“Please keep me posted on possible volunteer opportunities in Haiti. My husband and I are adopting a little boy named Jeffry from Haiti, and had the opportunity to travel there in September. The people of Haiti and the country itself hold a piece of my heart. I have a current passport and am willing and able to do whatever I can. Thanks for your care and concern for Haiti!”
“Hi, my name is Joanne, and I am very saddened by this terrible and devastating event that has happened yesterday. I wouldn’t want anything more than to go to Haiti and help as much as I can. I am CPR certified and have almost complete training as an EMT. Please keep me up to date about possibly going over to help. Thank you.”
I’ll be updating again after talking with JetBlue this afternoon and will post within the hour about supplies that we’ll be collecting.
If you’ve emailed me about volunteering and haven’t heard back from me yet, I WILL be in touch. Hang in there!
Thank you for your amazing show of support. Haiti, I hope you’re ready for Matador!
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280 Comments... join the discussion!
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When you are ready to create a group .I really want to work with the orphans.Thank you,Jenni Paul
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Hi, I’m 32 years old French Canadian from Montreal born in Haïti, I’m free to get Haïti in a couple of days by myself. I was lifeguard in the past. I’m a real estate apparaiser with administration qualifications. I’m open to do anythings, I might need a roof. I can stay over there for 6 to 8 weeks. chamana21@hotmail.com
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Hello my name is Giovanni. I am 22 years old, I am a certified EMT-B with current CPR/First Aid and AED certifications, I already have a passport. I am willing and ready to aid in the efforts to help Haiti.
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I am a certified Medical assistant. Also certified for CPR. I work with the Army as a Medical Assistant every once in a while. Please e-mail me as soon as possible, I would love to drop anything I have going on to help. Thank you!
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I am a nurse of 40 years and want to go to Haiti to help in any way I can. I can get the time off and pay for my own airfare. I work for a large company and I am sure that I can get monetary donations as well as my own medical supplies and anything else that may be needed.
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I to would like to donate my services as a EMT and FIrefighter/ rescue tech I have performed multiply searches and rescues and have Construction and Electrical Experince as well as Demolition experince would be happy to travel there with any group going to assist I can be reached at ffrescuetech9190@verizon.net or by phone at 570-764-7502
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hello I am a certified heavy equipment operator looking to help out any way I can in rescue or demolition or whatever….I could pay my own airfare…I am good to go at a moments notice
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Im a DC woking in Spain. Im also a USN vet that worked as a coprsman. I can arrange my own travel, and other expenses.
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I am a certified EMT & Firefighter with cofined space rescue and other certifications and would be more then happy to help with the rescue & recovery operations in Haiti I am not looking for money and I can bring large stockpile of medical supplies that have been donated by local hospitals here with my I am willing to spend as long as i am needed down there I can be contacted at fmanbrady761@verizon.net will travel with any group any I am willing to travel by any means
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My friend and I want to go to Haiti to volunteer. She is seventeen and will be eighteen in June. While I am eighteen and will be nineteen in June. We have both volunteered abroad. She went to Costa Rica to help out with schools during the summer. While I went to Nicaragua to help build a school this summer. Even though we have no skills we are dedicated to wanting to do this and physically fit. Please email me at jmhoopstar@comcast.net
Thank you..
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I’m jumping in to offer my time and help should there be an opening. I hold no certifications in the medical field but can assist in any other ways needed. My background is 20+ years in telecommunications and I’m available immediately for 2-3 months. I am fluent in French and can cover airfare and other miscellaneous costs if needed. Willing and ready to help in whatever capacity needed.
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Hello my name is Anna.
I am very interested in travelling abroad and helping in Haiti.
They ar ein desperate in need and i think hands on help is what they need most.
Please let me know if there is anyway of me getting there to help!↵ -
I am a 40y/f I am a retired LPN. I would love to help ASAP I have expierence in geriatric care as well as all age care thru a drs office, I have worked in the ER, med/surg, some OR have some expierence in simple to complex wound care, wound debreeding, can do sutures, simple surgle procedures such as mole removal, lancing boils and cyst, emergency wound clean up with wound cleaning and trimming of area tissue to facilitate healing before completing sutures. I am very confidant and work well with others, have been a charge nurse with 15 ppl under my supervision a well as 100+ pts. I was office director of a medicaid clinic that required me to control all nurse,medical care, and all aspects of the daily duties of nurse care giver, supply clerk, one on one with pts and doctor. conyact me at 580-584-2942 / 580-306-7745 momoherring@live.com Shelia
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2 individuals – March 13-22 – able to help in many ways. Recently helped in Cambodia.
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I am a nurse looking for group to travel to Haiti with.
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Im in highschool and I have donated tons of money and it doesn’t seem to be enough. I would love to join along, I can pay for everything myself, my family is willing to send me and I have a passport. Im a quick learning person who would play any role there to help.
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I am looking for Doctors or Nurses who are willing to volunteer their time in Haiti from Feb 1 for a week or two. Flight will leave out of Miami area. Please contact me for details. My email is deepkohli@gmail.com. Thanks.
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I am a Former Patrolman and former First Responder. I am a formally trained Chef, I have Management and Supervisory experience, I taught thousands of kids to swim when I was growing up as a Lifeguard, I have worked in Paper Mlls in Manufacturing environment ( very dangerous) and drove a fork truck, I have worked in Distribution as well. I will do anything I am needed for and I can stay for as long as I am needed.
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I would very much like to leave to Haiti to volunteer, i have a construction background and can help in cleanup, construction, and rescue efforts and can run alot of machinery. please contactg me asap and let me know when a trip is to be expected.
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Please, Please, Please let me know when, where and how I can go to Haiti to help in anyway that I can. I have two strong hands and in good shape to help with cleanup and any construction needs. I am unemployed right now and have time for a month or longer if needed to help out. I don’t need anything but a way to get there. I have called several organizations looking to give my time but can’t find anyone who acts like they need any help from people. I have a current passport and more then willing to go and help in anyway that I can!
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I am very interested in going to Haiti to volunteer in an orphanage. I am a mom and have volunteered with Special Olympics Washington State for 16 years and also in our school district. Please let me know if there is a group going. I am available pretty much any time. Thank you
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I really want to go to Haiti to help….. let me know how….
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Where do I go how do i help, there are many things I could offer. i am a Mom of 2 grown sons, just went back to schooland graduated, strong, CPR, I will do anything…good time in my life Please let me know how to help!
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Hello,
we are going to Punta Cana for 10 days next month, March 6th-16th (pre-planned trip) and would love to extend our trip if we are able to help in Haiti. Please let me know if this is possible and how we go about doing so? It is my boyfriend & I – we are willing to help in any way!
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I have little information on what you say above. therefore I look for more information online and at last found your posting. Its very helpful to raise my experience on it to handle my blog as well.
thanks a lot,
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