Warehouse to fill, organizers get to work
Haitian minister’s congregation begins long-term collection for earthquake victims, by beth kalet Glenwood They’re taking the long view. With donations of a warehouse, trucking, overseas shipping and volunteers at the ready, Pastor Edjir Jean and his congregants at the Glenwood Baptist Church have begun a drive to gather clothing and provisions for Haitians. They know the need is immediate and it will also be long term. Pastor Jean, a native of Haiti, lost family members in the earthquake last month and many others family, friends, acquaintances have been displaced. His parishioners feel, through his losses, the devastation of this event. “My heart aches every time I turn on the TV,” said Steve Romain, a trustee of the church who is one of the organizers of the drive. The church reached out to other congregations in the area and has been met with a heartening response, he said. “Everybody’s just willing to help.” Working with the Sussex County Red Cross, they have sent donations of money to the region. But, when they decided they wanted to provide more long-term aid, they began asking for clothing, shoes, first aid kits, day-to-day things like toothbrushes, soap, shampoo. One group has begun putting together shoe boxes that contain a supply of such items. Romain said the needs are great and will continue to be great. “It’s not going to be a one-week fix, a two-week fix...” Work begins But big plans need to be underpinned and Romain said the donation of a 3,000-sq.-ft. warehouse space on Maple Grange Road helped them make their goal a work in progress. They have use of that space for six months, during which time he and Pastor Jean hope to gather enough goods for more than one shipment. Right now, donations are coming in, volunteers are sorting and packing them up: women’s clothing, men’s clothing, shoes. There’s even a box filled with donated stuffed animals; the pastor said some Haitian children have never owned their own toys. Understanding the destruction and loss has been particularly hard for some people. Romain and his wife have seven children, and he said the images he’s seen have spurred him to this task. The goods will be distributed to Haitians through Pastor Jean’s connections to churches in the country.
How to help
To arrange a donation, call the Glenwood Baptist Church at 973-764-7681 or Steve Romain at 845-545-0885.