GOVERNOR PATERSON CALLS FOR MORE SUPPLIES TO AID HAITIAN RELIEF
- Rice, Water, Infant Formula Still Top List of Needed Items; Three Locations Now Accepting Donations in NYC
- 6,323 Food Items, 340 Cases of Water Donated; 74 Pallets of Supplies Ready to Ship

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

September 24, 2008

Governor David A. Paterson today thanked the hundreds of New Yorkers who have donated critical supplies for the island nation of Haiti, following the devastating hurricanes that tore through the region during the last four weeks. To date, 74 pallets of supplies have been collected at the Bedford Armory in Brooklyn, which the Governor directed be opened and staffed by the National Guard to aid in the collection. Among supplies collected thus far, food items total 6,323 and cases of water total 340.

The Army National Guard facility at 1579 Bedford Avenue at Union Street in Brooklyn will remain open all this week through Sunday afternoon. In addition, the State is accepting donated items at the Adam Clayton Powell State Office building at 163 West 125th at Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd in Harlem, and in the Bronx at Cox Nissan, 1235 East Tremont Avenue, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., until Sunday evening.

Three hurricanes in four weeks have left more than 100 dead and tens of thousands homeless in Haiti. Hunger and dehydration are rampant, and Governor Paterson last week issued a call to action to New Yorkers to help collect supplies.

“New Yorkers always come together in a time of crisis to help strangers in other states and nations. I am proud that this time is no exception – this is truly an incredible response,” said Governor Paterson. “When Hurricane Gustav hit Louisiana, New York sent help. When Hurricane Ike hit Texas, New York sent help. These same storms have hit Haiti, and New York will send help. We must act now to get vulnerable people essential supplies. The damage inflicted on Haiti by these hurricanes was severe, for the more than 125,000 Haitians living in New York, this affected their families and neighbors. The damage has been compounded by the fact that Haiti was already one of the poorest nations in the world – according to the UN, 53 percent of the population lives on less than a dollar a day. A bottle of water or a package of rice will make a real difference.”

Soldiers from the New York National Guard will remain on-hand through Sunday afternoon to receive, sort and prepare for shipment of donated items for the citizens of Haiti. Items in high demand for shipment to Haiti include:

- Bottled water (packed in cases or six packs at a minimum). Single bottles are inappropriate donations since they will have to be repackaged;
- Rice (Dried in bags);
- Beans (Dried only and Cans);
- Sterno canister;
- Tarpaulin – of any size, preferably 10X10 or larger. It is used for both roofing and flooring;
- Nylon cord (100’ rolls);
- Hygiene items limited to toothbrushes, toothpaste, mild soaps;
- New underclothes – children sizes;
- New hand towels.



Governor Paterson added: “We are continuing to accept donations at three locations though the end of this weekend and I would like to extend a special thanks to the following individuals for their tremendous contributions with this effort: Senator Hillary Clinton, Congressman Edolphus Towns, Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, Congressman Joseph Crowley, Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum, City Comptroller Bill Thompson, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, State Senator Bill Perkins, Assembly Member Nick Perry, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, Council Member Eugene Mathieu, Council Member Darlene Mealy, Council Member Robert Jackson, Council Member Larry Seabrook and the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce.”

U.S. Representative Edolphus “Ed” Towns said: “Right now, the situation in Haiti is dire. With the great number of Haitian families in my district who have relatives, friends and loved ones who may be suffering as result of Hurricane Ike, I stand with Governor Paterson and my colleagues in Congress to address this urgent matter. People are hungry. Communities are under water, and the human spirit is heavy in Haiti as many struggle to overcome the widespread devastation. I am prepared to support this effort personally and encourage each and every resident in Brooklyn to do so. Our sisters and brothers in Haiti need our help now, and we must respond.”

U.S. Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke said: “About two weeks ago I toured Haiti and saw for myself many of the areas that were hardest hit by the recent storms. The needs are compounding daily and we must act now. This is why I have joined my colleagues in Washington in signing on to a letter requesting at least $300 million in emergency appropriations in disaster assistance for Haiti. I commend Governor Paterson for his leadership regarding relief efforts from the people of New York to our sisters and brothers in Haiti.”

U.S. Congressman Joseph Crowley said: “The people of Haiti have suffered incredibly this year, from food riots to the devastation caused by four hurricanes and numerous other tropical storms. New Yorkers know first-hand that during times of crisis we must come together. I am proud to be a part of the efforts to provide support to Haiti, and I extend my deepest sympathies to the hundreds of thousands of Haitians living in New York who have been effected by the recent devastation. However, more must be done to ensure our neighbor has the food and resources it needs to survive these troubled times. That is why I will continue to work in Congress to secure additional support for Haiti.

New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. said: “One of the things I am most proud to say about New Yorkers is that we always come through to help those who are in need. Even in these tough fiscal times, when New Yorkers are struggling to make ends meet and put food on our own tables, we still reach into our hearts and our pockets to help those that are suffering even more than we are.” City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn said: “I commend Governor Paterson for taking the lead in the effort to open our National Guard Armory for Haitian relief efforts. New Yorkers have always come together to help those in need, especially those who have suffered a devastating loss from a natural disaster. By providing the Armory as one streamlined central location, New Yorkers will now be able bring much needed items that will help the people of Haiti move forward after these devastating storms.”

Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer said: “The pictures from Haiti of the storm’s devastation broke our hearts. New York City is home to one of the world’s largest Haitian communities, and we must stand in solidarity with Haiti in its hour of need. I applaud Governor Paterson’s efforts.”

Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz said: “Brooklyn is the ‘Caribbean Capital of America’ – by some counts, we have the largest Haitian population in the United States – and our hearts go out to our Haitian brothers and sisters in need. Brooklyn and Haiti share the common motto ‘In Unity There is Strength,’ and Brooklynites have been united once again in opening up their hearts, wallets and pantries to the victims of these storms. I commend Governor Paterson for working with New York’s strong and vibrant Haitian community and making humanitarian relief in Haiti a priority.”

New York City Councilman Mathieu Eugene said: “The Haitian community has been extremely fortunate to receive not only kind words but also substantive assistance from many friends, such as Governor Paterson, Senator Clinton, Senator Schumer and my long time friend Representative Clarke. Let me commend Representative Waters, Representative Weiner; the Congressional Black Caucus under the leadership of Representative Kilpatrick; and Representative Meeks for leading the emergency congressional delegation to survey the damage in Haiti. I would also like to thank Representative Rangel for his ongoing commitment and support to Haiti, all the members of the U.S. Congress, the State Representatives in New York and my colleagues in the New York City Council, who have worked tirelessly in this effort.”

Wyclef Jean said: “The impact of the food crisis coupled with the recent storm and hurricane catastrophe has resulted in a human tragedy of epic proportions in my native country of Haiti. My organization, Yéle Haiti, is on the ground delivering food, water, medical supplies, tents, clothing and other necessities to aid flood victims. With the help of programs like the one that Governor Paterson has created in New York, we can help get important supplies to the people of Haiti who are so desperately in need of them now. Equally important going forward is the need to support a long-term recovery that balances food distribution and school meals with job creation, tree planting and the expansion of agriculture.”

Donations will be accepted at the following locations:

Bedford Armory
1579 Bedford Avenue at Union Street, Brooklyn
Sept. 18 – Sept. 28, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Adam Clayton Powell State Office Building
163 West 125th at Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd., Harlem
Sept. 18 – Sept. 28, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Cox Nissan
1235 East Tremont Avenue, Bronx
Sept. 21 – Sept. 28, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information, please email relief@chamber.state.ny.us or call (212) 681-4010.