YWAM MercyWorks to Send Critical Supplies to Haiti
Tyler, Texas | February 4, 2010 — The relief arm of Youth With A Mission Tyler, MercyWorks has responded to the Haiti earthquake by sending three medical teams to Port-au-Prince. Additional medical teams are scheduled to leave next week and the following week. Volunteer doctors, nurses, EMTs and the like are treating over 1,000 men, women and children a day. To date, the 50+ volunteers have hand carried medicines and medical supplies in with them. Now that the transportation and distribution of supplies is more manageable, MercyWorks is gearing up to send a “Container of Compassion” to Haiti.
Debbie Lascelles, MercyWorks founder and co-director of YWAM Tyler remarked, “We have been swamped with people wanting to volunteer and help in every way imaginable. It’s a stretching time for all of us, but we greatly appreciate all the donations and help from the east Texas community.”
For now, the East Texas based charity has been given $15,000 to ship the first of several critically needed containers to Haiti to help set up a Refugee Camp. Pastor Dwight Lawson has volunteered Clearview Church in Mt. Sylvan (across from the Rose Park Horse Farm) to serve as the collection point for supplies for the “Container of Compassion.”
In addition to medical supplies, among the items most urgently needed for the first container are: easy-up pop up tents, folding tables, folding chairs, foam mattresses, sheets, tarps, pots, pans, eating utensils, shoes, baby supplies such as baby bottles, diapers, pacifiers, toys, 5-gallon buckets, and hygiene kits consisting of soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste and toilet paper.
To participate in East Texas’ “Container of Compassion” bring your supplies by Clearview Church on or before Wednesday, February 10, 2010 where they will be processed and shipped on to Haiti for relief. Drop off hours are 7:00 – 9:00 a.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Sunday, February 7. In addition to supplies, MercyWorks is looking for additional volunteers, including grief counselors, auto mechanics, medical personnel especially physical therapists, occupational therapists, and a medical coordinator.
About Youth With A Mission: Founded in 1960 by Loren and Darlene Cunningham, YWAM is celebrating their 50th year of operation. The international, interdenominational missions organization has 17,000 full-time volunteers serving in over 160 nations. MercyWorks, a ministry of YWAM Tyler, is dedicated to bringing hope and lasting change to people afflicted by war, famine, extreme poverty or natural disaster.
For additional information, photos or interview opportunities please contact:
Glenn Price Rev. Dwight Lawson
Glenn.Price@ywamtyler.org clearviewfamily@aol.com
(903) 882-5591 (903) 882-8949
Fri, Feb 5, 2010
Haiti, Media Releases