Pocono News Section

Church Sends Donations to Haiti

Church Sends Donations to Haiti - Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at 3:40PM EST

Reported by: Laurie Monteforte
Tuesday, Mar 2, 2010 @ 04:40pm EST
SWIFTWATER, MONROE COUNTY - Ten 100 pound containers filled with donations are headed from a church in Swiftwater to a church in Haiti.

Eglise Evangelique De La Renaissance is a Haitian church with many members who have family and friends in Haiti. The earthquake's emotional aftershocks shook the congregation. Dany Duviella said, "It crushed me. It just crushed me."

Members said it hurt to see people suffering. Margalie Severe-Duviella said, "They're not in homes. They're still on the streets. They're sleeping in tents and outdoors in the rain some of them."

So church members decided to help. They collected donations for people in the disaster area. They got clothes, toiletries and food. Severe-Duviella smiled, "I thank the community of Monroe County for being very supportive and for all the donations they have given us."

Gail Toscano from the American Red Cross of Monroe County said, It's amazing how the community and how the country came together to help the people."

People also donated money to process and ship the donations. It cost about $3,000. The church hopes this will be the first of many shipments. It's still collecting donations.

Severe-Duviella said, "The problem is not resolved. It's only the beginning." Her husband added, "We have to have help now. Next week. Next month. Next year."

You can drop donations off at the church on Lower Swiftwater Road in Swiftwater.