Rotary Haiti Disaster Fund

The Rotary family of the BVI, with overwhelming support from the BVI community, has so far raised over $225,000 in pledges for Haiti earthquake victims and received donated food, medical supplies and other in-kind donations totalling much more.

Rotary Assistant District Governor for the BVI Vance Lewis said donations have continued to come in following Rotary's successful telethon Monday January 18 which raised just over $180,000 for the relief effort that night. Support/facilities? for the telethon was provided by LIME, Marias by the Sea, Village Cay Marina, JTV, ZBVI and ZROD. We gratefully acknowledge the support provided by LIME, Marias by the Sea, Village Cay Marina, JTV, ZBVI and ZROD, without which the telethon could not have been held.

The additional funds received since Monday included both large and small contributions. A donation of over $25,000 from BVI-based law firm Harneys included more than $20,000 in contributions by staff members around the globe.  On Anegada Class 3 students went door-to-door in the Settlement seeking donations and raised $1,200.  Countless other businesses and individuals have contributed to the disaster fund.

"The BVI community has opened its hearts and its wallets to the people of Haiti. I have been moved by the level of generosity shown by all segments of the BVI and on behalf of those for whom we work, I say a huge thank you," said ADG Lewis.

In addition to fundraising, Rotarians in the BVI have been busy organizing relief flights into Haiti in partnership with Island Birds, various clinics, grocery stores and other businesses.  On Tuesday a flight from the BVI carried orthopaedic surgeons Dr Klas Buring of the Bougainvillea Clinic and Dr Belkys Rhymer of the BVI Health Services Authority to Haiti along with hundreds of pounds of donated medical supplies and food.  Another flight is expected to depart on Friday 22^nd carrying 2 more doctors: Dr Orlando Smith, who is a Rotarian, and Dr. Geronimo Jones of Eureka Clinic.

Past President Tom Gerker of the Rotary Club of Tortola, who is spearheading the relief flights, said it has been a remarkable community effort.  For example, when Gerker learned there was an urgent need for portable x-ray machines he called Dr Laura Palminteri who operates a veterinary clinic at West End, who willingly provided hers. Grocery stores including One Mart and Road Town Wholesale have donated food, and medical supplies have been donated by B & F Medical Complex, Eureka Medical Clinic, Bougainvillea Clinic and the BVI Government through PeeblesHospital.