Haiti Relief

In our continuing effort to give back to the community, whether that be the Louisville area or the world as a whole, the Center For Accessible Living is continuing our volunteer series, CAL Gives Back. This time, we are focusing our efforts on Haiti.

As you probably know, Haiti was rocked by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake on January 12th. In this already poor country where 78% of the population lives on $2 a day or less, the effects were devastating. There are estimates that 200,000 people died in the quake, 250,000 people were injured, and 2 million were left homeless in the nation of 9 million. Since then, relief organizations, such as the Red Cross, have been working feverishly to help the survivors. The Haitian people still need much more help though and will for months or even years to come. Even beyond the basics of food and water, the country will need medical care and mobility devices for people injured or permanently disabled in the quake. It will take Haiti a long time to recover from this disaster.

CAL wants to help. So, we are having a fundraiser from now until March 18th for the Haitian people as they continue to recover from this disaster. The name of this fundraiser is Helping Haiti and our goal is $500, 100% of which will go to the Red Cross Haiti Relief And Development Fund. We will be accepting monetary donations in the form of cash, coins, and checks at our Louisville and Murray offices. Checks should be made payable to the Red Cross Haiti Relief And Development Fund.

We know that no one is made out of money. However, it doesn’t take much money to make a big difference. Scroll down for some examples of what a little money can do.

We are topping it off with a fundraiser dinner called Taste Of Haiti on Thursday, March 18th, 6-8PM, here at CAL in Louisville. This dinner will feature Haitian food, a guest speaker, and a door prize. Admission is $2. RSVP is required by Friday, March 12th.

Please give what you can. Together, we can make a big difference for our neighbors to the south who still desperately need our help. For questions or to RSVP for the dinner, contact Amy at the contact info below. Information on CAL’s Helping Haiti fundraiser can also be found online at www.calky.org and http://www.facebook.com/centerforaccessibleliving.

Examples of what a little money can do from UNICEF.

- 7 cents buys a pack of oral rehydration salt. This solution, containing sugar and salt, treats children suffering from dehydration caused by diarrhea. Approximately 3,500 children die every day of dehydration caused by acute diarrhea.

- 60 cents buys 50 water purification tablets. Each tablet is able to turn 4-5 liters of dirty water into water suitable for drinking. Every day, 4,000 children worldwide die because they do not have access to clean water.

- $1 buys a pack of high energy protein biscuits. These contain minerals and vitamins and have been developed for malnourished children during emergencies.

- $2 buys a collapsible water container. Each container holds 10 liters of water and is especially useful for kids carrying water for long distances to ensure that all their water doesn’t spill en route from their water supply. It is also very useful for storing clean safe water for everyday use.

- $3 buys a blanket. Blankets provide some kind of protection from the elements as well as comfort in dire circumstances.

- $5 buys a soccer ball. Play, such as soccer, brings children together and helps restore a sense of normalcy in times of crisis or emergency.

Thank you!
Amy Jones
Independent Living Specialist
Center For Accessible Living
ajones@calky.org