Acting Governor Sweeney Urges New Jerseyans to Help Haiti's Earthquake Victims
NEWS RELEASE
Governor Jon S. Corzine
January 13, 2010
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Chris Donnelly
609-777-2600
TRENTON - Acting Governor Stephen M. Sweeney today called upon all New Jerseyans to do what they can to help in the international response effort to yesterday's deadly earthquake in Haiti. According to the US Census, New Jersey houses the nation's fourth-largest Haitian population.Several volunteer groups from churches and organizations from New Jersey -- including a group of 15 volunteers from Trinity United Methodist Church in Hackettstown -- were in Haiti at the time of the earthquake; their exact whereabouts and whether they are safe is not fully known.Acting Gov. Sweeney released the following statement:
“All of our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Haiti and their families and loved ones in New Jersey. We should all say an additional prayer for the many selfless New Jersey residents who were volunteering their time in Haiti when yesterday's earthquake occurred, and whose safety is not yet known.
“Every natural disaster creates its own heart-wrenching scenes. However, when a natural disaster strikes one of the world's poorest countries, the devastation is magnified many times over.
“Now is the time for New Jerseyans to show the world yet again how we will not shy away from helping those in dire need of assistance, where ever they may live. I encourage all residents to reach out to one of the many international aid agencies currently on the ground in Haiti to ask how they may be able to help the rescue and relief effort.”
Residents concerned about the whereabouts of a family member may contact the State Department at 1-888-407-4747.
Concerned residents who wish to donate to the relief and rescue efforts may directly contact any of the following charitable organizations:
The Center for International Disaster Information (http://www.cidi.org/incident/haiti-10a/) also has a listing of credible international emergency response agencies and charities.
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