Donations
January 15, 2010 by admin
Filed under Haiti Relief, Haiti Volunteering
UCF has been contacted by various campus groups, staff and faculty. We will attempt to list events we know when they have been shared with us. If you want something shared, please email us at leader@campus-ministry.org
Donations accepted – Donations should be made directly to first responders. Charitywatch.org has compiled a list of the best agencies to make these donations toward. Donations to UCF marked Haiti will not go to current relief efforts, but will be used for Haiti disaster response teams from UNC Charlotte and Central Piedmont Community College. Therefore, if you wish your donation to work immediately, the two agencies above along with groups like the American Red Cross or Doctors Without Borders are suggested.
Health Kits. Stay connected with UCF for drop off locations and times.
Place these items inside a sealed one-gallon plastic bag.
- 1 hand towel (15″ x 25″ up to 17″ x 27″, No kitchen towels)
- 1 washcloth
- 1 comb (large and sturdy, not pocket-sized)
- 1 nail file or fingernail clippers (no emery boards or toenail clippers)
- 1 bath-size bar of soap (3 oz. and up)
- 1 toothbrush (single brushes only in original wrapper, No child-size brushes)
- 6 adhesive plastic strip sterile bandages
- $1.00 to purchase toothpaste
(NOTE: UMCOR Sager Brown is now purchasing toothpaste in bulk to be added to health kits before shipping to ensure that the product does not expire before they are sent.)
Important Kit Assembly Information
- All items included in kits must be NEW items.
- All emergency kits are carefully planned to make them usable in the greatest number of situations. Since strict rules often govern product entry into international countries, it is important that kits contain only the requested items-nothing more.
- Do NOT include any personal notes, money or additional materials in the kits. These things must be painstakingly removed and will delay the shipment.
Haiti Teams
January 9, 2010 by admin
Filed under Haiti Relief, Haiti Volunteering
UCF has been contacted by two international relief agencies and asked that we prepare now for a request for relief teams. Volunteers seeking to travel to Haiti should only do so if part of an established humanitarian or relief organization that has the infrastructure to fully support you while you are there. While well intentioned, unaffiliated or self-deployed volunteers often become more of a burden than an asset. This stems from the fact that following a catastrophic disaster such as this one, the infrastructure is not there to sustain them, including a lack of: housing, food, water, transportation, equipment, supplies, communication, health, medical, to name a few. There are already millions of persons in desperate need of these resources, which simply do not exist.
UCF teams, on the other hand, when established will be guided by disaster response specialists who have been trained to lead and deploy self-contained relief units as we have done in the past.
If you are a graduate student, faculty or staff – or trained in disaster response – you can complete this form below of your interest to volunteer.
Volunteer with UCF
Individuals and organizations, including student organizations at colleges and universities, are STRONGLY DISCOURAGED from conducting any collections of material goods (food, water, clothing, etc). This often leads to what is called “the disaster after the disaster.” While well intentioned, the collection of material goods often becomes a logistical nightmare to manage down the road. Numerous issues arise, including but not limited to:
– Sorting, classification of donated goods.
– Cleaning, packaging of donated goods.
– Transportation of donated goods.
– Warehousing of donated goods not ready to ship and/or distribute.
– Equitable distribution of donated goods.
– Disposal of goods that are not wanted, needed, or are unsuitable for distribution.
Likewise, volunteers seeking to travel to Haiti should only do so if part of an established humanitarian or relief organization that has the infrastructure to fully support you while you are there. Again, while well intentioned, unaffiliated or self-deployed volunteers often become more of a burden than an asset. This stems from the fact that following a catastrophic disaster such as this one, the infrastructure is not there to sustain them, including a lack of: housing, food, water, transportation, equipment, supplies, communication, health, medical, to name a few. There are already 2 million+ persons in desperate need of these resources, which simply do not exist. Unless you know of a way to bring it ALL with you, don’t go.
Right now, the best thing you or your organization can do is collect and donate CASH to the charitable organization of your choice. The collection of donated goods and volunteerism will become more appropriate in the months and years to come once the basic needs and infrastructure are restored and unmet needs are identified.
