Port City Java collects tents for Haiti

Wilmington, NC- February 15, 2010- The rainy season in Haiti starts in just two weeks, and millions of earthquake survivors are still without adequate shelter.

Wilmington, NC residents can help those in need by donating tents – purchased online or brought to the Port City Java Main Office. (2101 Market St)

Tents are a relatively cheap and effective way for homeless earthquake survivors to stay warm and safe during the coming storms.

Atlanta-based “A Home in Haiti” is harnessing the power of social networking to inform the United States about the need for tents in Haiti, with the goal of collecting 200,000 tents before the rainy season begins March 1.

Those who wish to help can visit http://www.ahomeinhaiti.com for more information and to donate money or send tents purchased online.

Donations of new or gently used tents can be dropped off at the Port City Java Main Office, 2101 Market St. (8am-5pm, M-F, until mid March)

Many of the 3 million survivors of Haiti’s Jan. 12 earthquake are without shelter except for sheets, cardboard boxes, and government issued plastic covers. During the rainy season, residents are in danger of landslides and illness from standing water and flooding. Tents provide walls, a ceiling and a floor at a time when mud and water cover nearly every surface.

Tents are just a temporary solution, but it provides immediate relief as the first of three phases that will include clean-up and permanent construction.

A Home for Haiti was started by Shaun King, Atlanta pastor and social networking activist. Find him on Twitter (@ Shaun King)

The nonprofit charity has established immediate partnerships with three orphanages in Haiti and one large camp of more than 80,000 people to receive the first shipment of tents. A Home for Haiti is open to partnering with families, orphanages and other organizations to distribute tents to make sure they get to those who need them most.
Recently, the Haitian government suspended delivering tents to homeless families, saying they take up too much space and impede reconstruction efforts. Instead, 250,000 families will get one sheet of plastic each between now and May 1, and will later receive temporary, earthquake-resistant structures of metal and wood. If those numbers hold up, they will help about 60 percent of the population in need.

Information from a news release sent to the WWAY NewsChannel 3 Newsroom.