Gov. John P. deJongh Jr. and Senate president Louis Patrick Hill have announced the establishment of a fund at Banco Popular that will accept deposits from Virgin Islanders to coordinate the territory’s response to the crisis in Haiti,
The two are asking all Virgin Islanders to contribute $5 to the fund, with a target goal of $500,000. The account number and additional information will be released Tuesday.
"I am encouraging those who can contribute, to put in additional dollars for those who cannot," Hill said in a release.
DeJongh emphasized the recovery is happening in stages. The first stage is to save lives and provide medical assistance.
"Until a secure infrastructure is in place to accept shipments,” the governor said, "we can best help by making monetary donations to reputable organizations which have begun providing relief, such as the Red Cross and the International Medical Corps."
The two leaders expressed praise for the relief flight which left Saturday under the leadership of local resident Carmen Partridge and Dr. Adam Shapiro. The medical personnel have been on the ground in Haiti since Saturday afternoon and are proceeding very successfully, according to Partridge.
"This outpouring of support from our medical community represents the best of the Virgin Islands," deJongh said. Hill noted it is gratifying to see the volume of support the medical community has provided.
A fundraising concert, organized by local musicians and the marine community, is scheduled for Jan. 23, at Yacht Haven Grande, with the time to be announced.
A YWCA led Haitian Solidarity service is scheduled for 5 p.m. Jan. 25 at St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Estate Thomas, where an offering for Haitin relief will be taken.
