Haitian Christian Outreach, a non-for-profit based in Mahomet, is organizing relief efforts through area communities.  The organization will be sending much needed supplies as soon as possible in order to meet the urgent needs of medical clinics, schools and various community relief projects.  A semi trailer container was dropped off at the Municipal Building this past week, waiting anxiously to be filled by generous Monticello residents.  Once filled, the trailer will be sent by rail to New York, shipped to the Dominican Republic, then trucked in to Port Au Prince, Haiti.  Once emptied, the container can also be used as shelter for Haitian residents.

Items needed include:
High Priority:  generators, work gloves, headlamps with batteries, 4-wheelers.
Medial Supplies- High Priority: Dressings, gauze, surgical supplies, gloves, tape, suture materials, alcohol, perozide, antibiotic cream (Neosporin), Vaseline, ziploc bags (all sizes), crutches.
Over the Counter Medicines- High Priority: Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Antacids, Tums, Cough Medicines, Prenatal vitamins, Anti-diarrhea medication (like Imodium) tablets or capsules (not liquid or liqui-gels), anti-itch cream (Benadryl), Eye Drops- non-medicated (saline- liquid tears).
Food - High Priority: Peanut butter, meats (canned or foil package), bottles water (by the case)
Baby items- High Priority: Baby cereal, infant formula (must be powdered due to no refrigeration), empty baby bottles, Ibuprofen/Tylenol- liquid for infants.

For an updated list, visit www.haitianchristian.org.

Drop off locations include the First Christian Church of Monticello, Christ Lutheran Church of Monticello, Calvary Baptist Church of Monticello, Crossroads Church of Monticello, First Presbyterian Church of Monticello, Faith Christian School, Piatt County Journal Republican office, CF & H Insurance office, and the City of Monticello Municipal Building.

Volunteers are needed on Saturday, February 13th for packing day.  Duties include gathering all donated items from all local drop-offlocations, organizing, palletizing and loading them for transport.  Sign up to volunteer by contacting 217.898.0649.

For more information, contact Jim Dalrymple at 217.898.0649.