A local medical-relief mission is in urgent need of supplies for its impending trip to Haiti, with departure for the earthquake-ravaged country slated for Saturday morning.
Called "The Virgin Islands Haitian Medical and Children’s Relief Trip," the venture is now scheduled to leave for Port-au-Prince with nurses, doctors, and medical and children’s life support supplies on board.
The mission was conceived by Carmen Partridge and pulled together in two days. Financial contributions to the support effort can be sent to the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands, marked for Haitian Relief Fund, at Dee Baecher-Brown, CFVI, PO Box 11790, St. Thomas, V.I.00801.
However, Carmen Partridge said the following items are urgently needed right now:
• Baby survival items such as diapers, bottles, formula, juice boxes;
• Collapsible water bladders/reservoirs;
• Rubbing alcohol, Clorox wipes, hand sanitizer;
• All forms of sealed medical supplies – gauze bandages, antiseptic, antibacterial cream, gloves; and sealed bottles of maximum-strength pain relief medication.
The following items are also needed, she said. They can be used as long as they are clean:
• Blankets, sheets, towels, sleeping bags;
• Tents, cots, mosquito nets, mosquito repellent, tarps;
ª Flashlights and torches with fresh working batteries;
• Shovels, can openers and folding tables.
Partridge said another foundation is contributing the cost of chartering the aircraft. All contributions will be used to make purchases of life-saving supplies.
She stressed that the items needed are strictly for victim survival and support of a field hospital. Food and clothing can be contributed at a future date.
The supplies should be dropped off by Saturday morning at the St. Thomas Jet Center, across from Community Motors, labeled for Haiti relief.
She expressed thanks to all who have contributed so far. "Much was collected today," she said, "and is still coming in."
Carmen Partridge can be reached at waring@partridge.vi
