West Pasco continues Haiti relief efforts

West Pasco benefactors are giving both love and money, with adoptions of Haiti orphans as well as relief aid for the earthquake survivors.

A magnitude-7 tremor devastated the Caribbean island nation Jan. 12.

New Port Richey Rotary Club members raised $15,000 for aid shortly after the disaster. And local hospital employees are collecting for the cause.

John Skelton of New Port Richey has eagerly kept in touch with his son, Christopher, and Chris' wife Marika in Luxembourg with their adopted child, Kenley.

The couple was in Haiti adopting a baby, when the earthquake hit, Skelton said. "They were OK, but the judge that was handling the adoption was killed," Skelton said in his first dispatch to friends Feb. 2.

"My son and his wife managed to get out back to Luxembourg where they live, but had to leave the boy behind. (Christopher) fought hard for a week from Luxembourg and managed to secure the release of his son and other children. Their papers were signed by the President and prime minister and the children were flown to Holland."

It's a shame the controversy over allegedly snatched Haitian children has tainted legitimate adoptions, Skelton said last week. "I think we both feel what is happening with the 10 Americans held has made it bad for the legitimate people who are trying to adopt," he said.

Eight of the 10 accused American missionaries being detained in Haiti to face possible prosecution were let go Wednesday.

"We know America can offer a wonderful life for these children. However, there are people who will use a disaster such as this to benefit their own ends," Skelton continued. "I think two weeks in an Haiti jail has been punishment enough for the Americans as I am sure most of the party were being led by a few who thought they could break the law. The leaders of the group should be held and the followers should be released and sent home."

In the meantime, Rotarians remain at the forefront of fundraising efforts. At the recent dinner in Tampa, Rotary International President John Kenny singled out the Rotary Club of New Port Richey for stellar efforts in raising $15,000 toward the Haiti relief cause.

Dave Parris of the New Port Richey club is district chairman for the fundraising Haiti Relief efforts throughout Rotary District 6950 in the Tampa Bay region.

At Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point, workers raised $4,000 during a Shelter Box Campaign. The workers, and even hospital visitors, contributed to buy enough supplies for four boxes to Haiti, according to Regional Medical Center spokesman Kurt Conover.

Regional Medical Center's parent corporation, HCA, is matching employee contributions and providing in-kind donations toward $1 million in total contributions. Cash donations will go to relief organizations including the Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders.

Relief agencies are advising that cash and supplies are more helpful than volunteers.

The company is coordinating medical supply donations from its facilities across the country through its East Florida Division, based in Fort Lauderdale, Conover says.

HCA's Hope Fund is reaching out to provide help to employees who have family members who may have been affected by the earthquake.

HCA's temporary staffing agency, All About Staffing, is accepting the names of HCA clinical staff and disaster-trained employees who are interested in volunteering, and will apprise them of opportunities once the situation in Haiti has stabilized, Conover said.