Locals pitch in to help Haiti

By ANDY GOODELL

OSKALOOSA — In the wake of Haiti’s massive earthquake Jan. 12, many Americans have done all they can to help. Oskaloosa residents are no exception.

Erin Sherwood, an advocate for Crisis Intervention Services in Oskaloosa, recently helped organize an ongoing clothing drive for Haitian earthquake victims. Sherwood said she was inspired to help after her friend, Heather Sass, called her and said something needed to be done for the people of Haiti.

“I cried,” Sherwood said of her initial reaction to learning of the quake. “I’m a softie and I know there’s kids down there struggling and families are struggling and there’s death in the streets.”

As Sherwood and a dozen or so volunteers packed up 50 or more boxes of clothing at the United Way of Mahaska County building Saturday morning, she said helping people in need is simply a natural reaction for her.

“It makes me feel worthwhile,” said Sherwood. “We complain about not having electricity for a day and those people down there have lost everything that they own.”

Making sure the right clothing gets to Haiti is no simple task, said Sherwood.

In organizing the clothing drive, Sherwood said she first contacted the Red Cross, which eventually led her to contact the Hosea Williams Feed the Hungry organization, based in Atlanta, Ga. This organization is currently part of a greater effort known as The Haitian Alliance.

“You’ve got to call the right people,” said Sherwood.

Sherwood and other volunteers came together Saturday to separate the donated clothes into boxes of men’s, women’s and children’s clothes. There were also a few items that would be sorted out and not make it to Haiti for obvious reasons, said Sherwood.

“They (Hosea Williams Feed the Hungry) had asked us to go through the clothes because people had been sending down coats and stiletto heals,” said Sherwood as she sorted clothing Saturday. “We send down everything that’s lightweight — tank tops, short-sleeve shirts and shorts.”

The donations being sorted by Sherwood and other volunteers come from six area churches, The Clothing Closet, Ralphies and the Straight House.

Some area churches are going beyond clothing when it comes to aiding Haitians in need. Sherwood said they are sending simple medical items like sanitary rubber gloves and bandages, as well. She added, some are even donating sheets to be used as temporary housing for the thousands left homeless by the earthquake.

The efforts of Sherwood and others, including volunteers from the Mahaska County Recreation Foundation’s Skate Park Committee, didn’t end with boxing up clothing this past Saturday. She said a semi truck from the Iowa Trucking Association will arrive in about two weeks to pick up the boxed-up essentials.

Sherwood said the amount of clothing received so far has been outstanding and that no more clothing items are needed at the United Way building. However, medical items such as Q-tips, bandages, cotton balls, peroxide and rubbing alcohol will be accepted at the United Way of Mahaska County building, 500 High Ave. W. Sherwood added, clothing items donated to CIS will remain here, while those donated specifically for Haiti will be sent there.

Clothing donations for Haiti are still being accepted at area churches, The Clothing Closet, Ralphies and the Straight House.

Jubilee Family Church, 401 S. D St., will be accepting clothing donations for Haiti Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. this week. For more information, contact Jubilee Family Church at 673-9852.

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Herald City Editor Andy Goodell can be reached at news2@oskyherald.com

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