January 15, 2014

UFCW Donations Help Rebuilding Projects Progress in Haiti

On January 12, 2010, a massive earthquake struck Haiti, causing catastrophic damage in and around the capital city of Port-au-Prince. Since that time, UFCW local unions from around the country have remained committed to helping the people of Haiti rebuild their communities.

The UFCW collected and distributed more than $450,000 to bring food, water and technology to Haitian children and their families by partnering with several local foundations to provide earthquake relief.

Generous donations from UFCW local unions to Hope for Haiti helped rebuild the computer lab and library at the St. Francois de Sales School. Donations helped purchase 34 computers outfitted with Microsoft Office software, along with tables, chairs, book shelves, and lockers for the library and computer lab. The school will provide education to more than 1,320 students in the kindergarten, primary, and secondary levels.

UFCW IVP Al Vincent (l) and UFCW Local 888 President Mark Bruny (r) attend the dedication ceremony for the new library and computer lab at the St. Francois de Sales School in Haiti.

UFCW International Vice President Al Vincent and UFCW Local 888 President Max Bruny represented the UFCW International and local unions when they led a delegation to Haiti for the dedication ceremony of the computer lab and library at the St. Francois de Sales School that UFCW donations funded.

“The children were so excited to have the new library and computer lab,” Bruny said. “Many children in Haiti aren’t able to attend school because of poverty and lack of access so these kids feel so proud and blessed. The generosity from the UFCW locals definitely improved the lives of these children and their community.”

Donations from UFCW unions have also gone to other foundations including Reviving Haiti, which funds clean water access to Haitian families, High Hopes for Haiti, which supports a project to build computer labs and a library at John Stine College in St. Marc, and God to Haiti, which provides hot meals for children and families.

A great deal of work remains to be done in Haiti—a country of origin for many UFCW members—and the UFCW remains committed to helping our Haitian brothers and sisters recover from this tragedy.

More information and updates on Hope for Haiti and the St. Francois de Sales School can be found at www.hopeforhaiti.com.