Area Residents Rush to Meet Local and Global Humanitarian Needs

The United Way of Clinton and Essex Counties recently announced some terrific news. John Bernardi, executive director, revealed early in February that the 2010 campaign goal of $700,000 has been met and, in fact, exceeded.

Bernardi said, “The state of the economy and the loss of jobs in this region made it a challenging campaign for us this year. However, we saw a number of organizations, businesses and individuals step up to the plate and increase their contributions because they are aware that the needs here are tremendous.”

Bernardi expressed sincere appreciation to each and every donor to this year’s campaign, as well as his pride in the fact that the community places so much trust and confidence in the United Way to use every dollar wisely to meet the needs of the community and to achieve good outcomes.

But Bernardi, speaking to Strictly Business, also wanted to talk about global needs in general and, more specifically, about the unimaginable devastation caused by the earthquake in Haiti. How does a catastrophe that affects millions of people thousands of miles away impact our North Country region?

“When the earthquake hit,” Bernardi said, “we had coincidentally scheduled a news conference for just about the same time. Americans are generous, caring people and, when something like that happens, we want to help―and we promoted that. People in Haiti are suffering terribly and we need to help.”

Immediately after the quake, all kinds of organizations and individuals rushed to raise money―and there has been much made in the media that some of them may not be all they seem.

Bernardi addressed that issue. “People should be extremely careful where they funnel their contributions. It’s critical that the dollars actually get to the place and people they are intended to help.”

He stressed that donors should do some research. “Take the time to choose a reputable charity that has demonstrated proven results. Well-known charities have websites where you can find out how much of your donation will go to the actual services. Donors have to be careful. We only have so much capacity to give and we want to know our hard-earned money is put to good use. There are unscrupulous people out there who will simply take your money and run.”

Bernardi offered his office’s services to local people who would like to help the Haitians, saying “The United Way has mechanisms in place to support causes all over the world. We have set up a fund specifically for the Haiti disaster and 100 percent of your donation will go directly to that purpose.”

Bernardi also suggested SB call Jeannie Roberts, who has also been actively participating in the Haiti relief efforts in her role as executive director of the local chapter of the Red Cross.

“We (the Red Cross) have been extremely busy with the recovery effort, world-wide and even right here,” Roberts said. “The North Country has always responded generously in times of need.” As of the end of January, Roberts said, more than $27,000 had already been donated through the local office.

“This is the largest humanitarian relief effort in the history of the world,” she said. “Red Cross representatives from 30 countries are in Haiti, some doing medical work, some involved in rescue work, some providing water and food and tents…but the recovery effort will be a very long process. It takes just a few minutes to destroy everything―but many years to mend.”

Roberts explained how the local chapter participates. “We deposit checks we receive from donors, then transfer every dollar to our national office. Local donors can trust that their money will go directly to the relief effort.”

She added, “If someone chooses to make a donation through us, they must make sure to write on the memo line of their check that it is to go to the Haiti relief effort.”

Roberts also explained why money is the appropriate way to give at this time. “Dollars are easily transported and easily used to meet the needs on the ground. We simply don’t have the ability to pack up boxes of food or clothing and transport them to the affected areas. Only national organizations have the procedures, usually working with the U.S. military, to get that done.”

While Roberts and Bernardi both encourage a generous outpouring of support for Haitian relief, specifically, and other international disasters in general, they also wanted to remind everyone of the needs at home.

The local Red Cross Chapter covers 159,000 people within a 3,439 square mile territory. “Already in 2010, the Ausable River has flooded over Route 9N. Fourteen families were evacuated at the end of January when the Salmon River overflowed and it’s not even spring,” Roberts said..

“North Country residents are wonderfully generous and they demonstrate that every time there is a huge disaster around the world,” Roberts said. “I know they will continue to be as generous right here at home.”