The owners of SeaChest Ace and Red Hook Ace, St. Thomas’ premier, locally-owned hardware stores, have initiated a fundraising drive on behalf of three local charities dedicated to helping survivors of Haiti’s catastrophic earthquake. Donations are being accepted at the local Ace Hardware franchises to benefit the Salvation Army Haitian Relief, Catholic Relief Services’ Haiti Earthquake and the V.I. Community Foundation’s Haiti Relief. The stores jointly will match all donations up to a total of $5,000 for employees and $5,000 for customers..
Co-owners Yanick and Patrick Bayard, longtime residents of St. Thomas, both natives of Haiti, still have relatives residing in Port-au-Prince. Like many others, their families were affected by the Jan. 12 earthquake. Patrick’s cousin died when the office building where he worked collapsed. Several of Yanick’s relatives lost their homes.
Yanick and Patrick and co-owners Tom and Kris Brunt said both stores have committed to donating funds to assist in the relief effort. The employee drive has already reached $5,400. They encourage customers and the community to make checks payable to the Salvation Army, Catholic Services or the V.I. Community Foundation. Yanick endorsed the organizations, calling them “trustworthy” with the “means of distributing aid to the many people in need in Haiti.”
“These organizations are on the ground with personnel and supplies arriving every day, she said. “They are providing food, water, shelter and medical help.” Checks can be dropped off at either the SeaChest Ace or Red Hook Ace store. SeaChest Ace is located in Crown Bay next to the Addelita Cancryn School athletic field. Red Hook Ace is located in the rear of the Red Hook Plaza. The drive will continue through Feb. 28.
