Grassroots relief mission to Haiti

I am in no way offended. I was getting a giggle out of it.

I rather enjoy differing viewpoints. I hope if you're gonna fly with me that we can both be free to talk about whatever.

I think your observations on the matter are very interesting.

Wait till I start talking about my experiences with.... Oh, never mind

cwh wrote: Wait till I start talking about my experiences with.... Oh, never mind

This is cracking me up. Thanks for the entertainment, guys

This is gonna be a blast!

Whether we help anyone or not, I think cwh and I are gonna be quite a pair in some little beachfront joint in Eleuthera with a plate full of conch fritters and a beer!

Have a safe trip (s), I have some co-workers who went back home to help and said it is truly a mess down there.

Eleuthra, conch, beer-mmmmmm. I don't expect Haiti to be quite that pleasant. Probably more like Hell on Earth.

Anybody know if there have been any aircraft related incidents there?

SVreX wrote: This is gonna be a blast! Whether we help anyone or not, I think cwh and I are gonna be quite a pair in some little beachfront joint in Eleuthera with a plate full of conch fritters and a beer!

So that's what my money is going for??

cwh wrote: Anybody know if there have been any aircraft related incidents there?

Do you really want the answer to that?

YES! I'm flying onto Hell on Earth with a pilot I don't know, in a plane I don't know, landing at airfields I've never been to. (Except for Nassau, been there numerous times, in a twin Piper). Of course I'm concerned. I feel that the Good Lord will be watching out for us, but want to be aware. Faith is one thing, blind faith is another.

In reply to cwh:

which is why i offered you my heaters... and i dont mean for the temp.. but hey, theres always that 70 virgins thing....

But seriously, You guys are doing a great thing, and great things will happen!

Couple of FYIs here. First, I made a contribution last night to Mission:change (missionchange.com), the organization SVreX is working with, and it was super-easy: Takes just a minute online, you can earmark your funds for Haiti, they take cc or paypal, and according to their site they are a 501(c)(3) organization, which means contributions are tax-deductible. In addition, I got the following today from my accountant:

Congress has passed legislation designed to encourage charitable contributions for the relief efforts in Haiti. The President is expected to sign it into law shortly.

Under the new law, taxpayers may deduct charitable contributions made for the relief of earthquake victims in Haiti on their 2009 tax return rather than wait to deduct it on their 2010 return.

Qualifications: The deduction is allowed on the 2009 return if all of the following conditions are met: The contribution is made after January 11, 2010 and before March 1, 2010. The contribution is a cash contribution. (Contributions of food and clothing are not cash contributions.) The contribution is made for the relief of victims in areas affected by the earthquake in Haiti on January 12, 2010. All other requirements for deducting cash contributions under Section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code are satisfied. (Example: The contribution has to be made to a qualified charitable organization.)

Recordkeeping. For purposes of the above rules, a telephone bill showing the name of the donee organization, the date of the contribution, and the amount of the contribution is treated as meeting the recordkeeping requirements of IRC Section 170(f)(17).

Just thought I'd pass it along in case anyone's thinking of donating, but unsure how to proceed.

Margie

Just back from acquisition stage. 200# rice and beans, big packages of diapers, canned meat and food, oil, rubbing alcohol. peroxide, cooking supplies, coffee, spices, utensils, all of our hurricane supplies, a wheelchair, and more. Pictures to follow. We are re-boxing now, to separate items, then off to the airport. I received 200.00 so far, spent about 300.00 today. My choice. The Adventure has begun!!

Awesome! Be careful you guys. And, as time permits, please keep us apprised via photos. While it may be hellish, hopefully you can find (as well as create) some moments of hope and relief.

cwh wrote: YES! I'm flying onto Hell on Earth with a pilot I don't know, in a plane I don't know, landing at airfields I've never been to. (Except for Nassau, been there numerous times, in a twin Piper). Of course I'm concerned. I feel that the Good Lord will be watching out for us, but want to be aware. Faith is one thing, blind faith is another.

If you fly commercially, do you know the pilot, the plane, or the airfield?

The airspace is confused. Air traffic control is non-existent. Accidents can happen.

That's why we won't be flying in the dark, or in bad weather. It's also why we intend to fly with at least one passenger at all times. A second pair of eyes.

Don't underestimate the risk. However, don't overestimate it either. Statistically, very few responders will get hurt.

See you in the morning. Looks like I'll be flying in with you in the Baron. Planes are loaded.

Thanks everyone for your support!

Just back from the drop off point. Wow, super organized, tons of stuff ready to ship out. Met a pilot from a missionary group, flying a Piper Saratoga. Ferrari with wings. These guys are SERIOUS!!

We've got a third plane!

Mennonite Central Committee is one of the largest relief organizations in the world. They are always first on the ground.

Apparently, they can't get moving, because their network was too huge. Planes too big, ships, etc. They've had a LOT of donations pouring in for Haitian relief, but they can't get in country. They've even got churches and agencies in-country that have been there for decades they have not been able to communicate with.

They are now hooked up with the same organization we are flying with. Sounds like they are going to bring funds and relief resources, Bahamas Habitat will coordinate the planes.

That's really huge.

Grassroots effort wins again!

Mo bettah, mo bettah.

cwh wrote: Just back from acquisition stage. 200# rice and beans, big packages of diapers, canned meat and food, oil, rubbing alcohol. peroxide, cooking supplies, coffee, spices, utensils, all of our hurricane supplies, a wheelchair, and more. Pictures to follow. We are re-boxing now, to separate items, then off to the airport. I received 200.00 so far, spent about 300.00 today. My choice. The Adventure has begun!!

Good luck, guys, and don't filter the truth.

Eric

I have a decent digital camera. My wife's. She made it very clear that if I mess it up or lose it, she gets a GOOD Nikon. Many pictures will be taken. I really don't know how to post the story of the trip, as it seems a bit much for a post on the web, but will discuss with Margie how to handle it. Thank you all for the good wishes. Sincerely. Chuck Hanlon, and wife Jane will be on here while I'm gone.

Please consider both Chuck's wife Jane, and my wife Pat. Sometimes it is easier for the adventurers than the folks they leave behind to worry and carry the load.

I expect no crisis, and will know moment by moment that all is well. Pat (and Jane) will not have that benefit.

Thanks for your support!

-Paul Fenner

SVreX wrote: I agree with you. I have not contributed through that site, and I'm not an employee. Just a volunteer. But if you start getting junk related to it, let me know. I do know how to get my hands on the neck of the right people.

ROFL! SVreX, you do know that atheists/agnostics have a sense of humor, right? (that comment, as well as my previous post was a joke! I'm just yanking your chain a lil' bit!). Relax, man..I know you're a good guy doing good work. (again I ask, where's the "thumbs up" smiley?)

Y'all be careful! I'm reading reports that the gang members that escaped the prison collapse are trying to re-organize..but also reading that the US troops are hitting the ground and are better armed than the Brazilians that were the main part of the pre-quake UN force.

I got my Buck knife, ain't askeered a nuttin.

Just want to express to all of you that I am impressed by your involvement & rapid move to organize & execute what is needed. To those of you traveling "God Speed"!

When CW & I were shopping yesterday we ran into quite a few Haitians at the stores we went to and their gratittude was tremendous.

With every disaster there also comes New Hope.