Thu Sep 02 2010
by Alison Lucci
Reporter
Hudson -- The members of a local church are packing heavy bags for their upcoming trip to Haiti.
"People have just come out of the woodwork to volunteer and donate things," said Jan Iannetta, who is leading the trip with her husband, Tony.
"I'm going to do everything in my power to get it there ... even if we each have to take items in our personal bags, we'll get it there," she said.
Hudson Community Chapel has sponsored week-long mission trips to the northern city of to Ouanaminthe, located near the Dominican Republic border, since 2006.
This year's expedition, which begins Feb. 13, was planned long before the devastating Jan. 12 earthquake that shook the island.
"This year is, of course, a little different because of the earthquake," she said. "Even though [Ouanaminthe] wasn't affected or destroyed by the quake, we're taking as much as we can."
The 20 Good Samaritans hope to cram about 900 pounds worth of medical supplies, shoes, clothes and crop seeds into their 18 allotted bags.
Stow resident Carol Groves credits her daughter, Allison, for giving her the idea to collect shoes to bring to Haiti.
With the help of the community, Groves has accumulated more shoes than she can fit into her bag. By Feb. 4, Groves had about 130 pairs and was anticipating the arrival of several more boxes.
"There are a ton of shoes," Allison said. "I've never seen so many shoes in my life. She can only take one bag, so the rest will have to be shipped."
In conjunction with the Coalition of Children in Need Association, the group plans to run a medical treatment center, eye clinic and offer craft classes for children.
Port-au-Prince is a 12-hour bus ride from Ouanaminthe, but Iannetta said several members of the group have already volunteered to make the journey if the opportunity arises.
The church is hoping to coordinate more trips this year since an overwhelming amount of people have expressed interest.
For the Iannettas, helping the people in Haiti is almost like helping family. The couple presently hosts an Ouanaminthe student who attends the University of Akron.
For more information, visit www.hudsonchapel.org or www.haiticocina.org.
E-mail: alucci@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-686-3916
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