Gauging interest- Contribute to Haiti??

We are putting together a grassroots effort to ferry supplies (especially medical supplies) into Haiti.

Still working out the details, but it looks like a friend and I may be trying to run a tractor trailer from ATL to Ft Lauderdale to drop off supplies in FL, then ferry them back and forth to Haiti through the Bahamas in a Cessna to a small portable landing strip in Haiti.

If it comes together, we could need help along the way.

So, anyone between Atlanta and Ft Lauderdale with access to supplies, medical equipment, a CDL, fuel, trucks, money, etc. could be of service.

I know there are a lot of you that fit in that area, so I'm trying to gauge interest to help us plan a route, space, etc.

Anyone??

I don't live along the way, but I'd certainly do whatever I could.

What about man power? That's all I have available right now to give.

Could be a help.

I don't have a CDL, and already contributed money to Food for the Poor. But I do have a 3/4 ton Suburban in the Atlanta area I could use or lend to the effort if you need a smaller truck in the area for gathering up supplies to load the big rig with.

Could you coordinate a leg of stuff from ATL to Albany?

If I was in the area I would definitely take on some part of this. If there is anything I can do from here to help (online, phone calls, etc), let me know.

I'm in Ft. Lauderdale, have a Ranger and a comfy couch. Have local knowledge and a passport, willing to go along, but will need shots. Is a visa necessary? Plus a semi-bad back. Wife is a great cook, lot's better than Denny's. I assume you will fly into Ft. Lauderdale Executive, right? Been there several times. If we can be of service, PM me.

Not to be a downer, but there was just an article on CNN about the relief efforts to Haiti and it seems the U.S. has given them over 2 Billion dollars in aide over the last 10 years and very little of the money makes it outside of the Govt. With the aide program going on now that figure will exceed 3 Billion. And none of this counts any of the aide from other countries. The say Haiti is the Nigeria of the western hemisphere.

Basically they said the only way to ensure your aide gets to the people is to take it down and distribute it yourself, but then the govt will put strings upon you doing that too.

Haiti is known as the most corrupt country in the Western Hemisphere, which is the main reason I have chosen not to try to do business there. However, this time around, we shall HOPE that any siphoning off of supplies will be far too dangerous to attempt to pull off. After all, a couple dozen pissed off Rangers could well deter a lot of that. And ruin the day of anybody caught trying it. It is guaranteed that it will happen, just not as bad as it could have been in other circumstances.

You are correct- lots of corruption, graft, bribery, etc.

That's why we are trying to do it this way.

The ENTIRE path is being covered by trusted folks. Kind of like ferrying a car across the country through the GRM bros. chain.

Frankly, I stopped trying to explain other people's failures a long time ago. When I appear before my maker, I'd rather not have to say, "Well, aren't you proud of me... that place was totally corrupt, so I mad sure to steer clear of it, just so no one would take your (my) money".

I'd rather be looking for only one accolade: "Well done."

...just a thought.

Seems to me that you are in line for a whole lot more than that. I am also certain that the possible accolades have absolutely nothing to do with your intentions. As far as my intentions go, to help with this would be a GOOD THING, and another in a long chain of grand adventures. I'm in if you want, even if it's just cooking ya'll some suppers. The couch is quite comfy, as well. Have wifey's approval, too, but got an odd look at first.

SVreX wrote: Could you coordinate a leg of stuff from ATL to Albany?

Probably - what timeframe did you have in mind? It would probably have to be on a weekend.

I'm on your route and can lend manpower, guest room, good cooking (wifey went to culinary school after all). Also, depending on what you are looking for, Gainesville has one of the largest medical communities in the South. I could probably hit up some docs who are friends and try to convince them to donate supplies.

Donated cash through Red Cross already as well.

This is a good group.

Corruption is a big problem in Haiti, and one of the reasons the average Joe has is so bad down there. If you can get the stuff to the people who really need it, go for it and I wish you well. There is a group up here trying to rescue a group of orphans who are completely stranded and abandoned. If your return flights are empty, I could have some passengers for you. (miles of red tape to cut first.)

pinchvalve wrote: Corruption is a big problem in Haiti, and one of the reasons the average Joe has is so bad down there. If you can get the stuff to the people who really need it, go for it and I wish you well. There is a group up here trying to rescue a group of orphans who are completely stranded and abandoned. If your return flights are empty, I could have some passengers for you. (miles of red tape to cut first.)

I wonder if the adoption hassles will actually ease up a little: US works to expedite adoptions of Haitian Children

How would you feel about a shipment of supplies/donation of cash from a group of concerned parents in Central IL?

Rex- I PM'd you. Please contact me. I will try to get local donations here in Ft. Lauderdale. Should not be hard. Radio stations etc. What is the capacity of your planes? Cessnas that I am used to can carry around 2000#, not a whole lot for this need. You have verified that fuel is available for the return, I'm sure.

Slight problem with this plan that I was just informed of; Private planes are not being allowed to land under any circumstances. Got the info from a neonatal flight nurse.

Arggh. I was just ready to start contacting donors here in SoFla. Please, clarify this, I am ready to do whatever I can, from begging for medical donations to throwing sacks of rice.

Private planes are already flying. We are just connecting with them. They are flying 2 flights per day out of Nassau and landing in Cap Haitien, from where they are driving they goods down. Private planes are not landing in Port-Au-Prince

cwh (and others):

OK, so I see there is interest. But hold off on the planning. I need to confirm what we are doing.

I should have a better idea by the end of the day tomorrow. I'll get back to you.

Thanks!

Thanks for clearing that up, my friend just didn't want people to put in all the leg work if you couldn't land the plane.

Just let me know what I can do. I'm self employed, so no boss to answer to. Ready to rock and roll. I'm an old fart with a good heart. And a sense of adventure.