Haiti is a Noble Cause- But Please, do Not Forget Our Own
On January 12th, 2010, a totally devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake rocked the island of Hispaniola while bringing total destruction to the Sovereign Nation of Haiti. With a death toll that could reach 200,000, hundreds of thousands homeless, water and food a scarcity, the nations of the world have come to their aid led by the Americans.
Fund raisers are being held, supermarkets collecting at checkout, benefit concerts on local and national levels, churches with special collections. But are we forgetting something? Our own people, our neighbors, your neighbor who is in need of assistance and you are not aware of it.
Many American families live from pay check to pay check and the loss of one pay could be devastating, leading to late or nonpayment of a mortgage, utility bill, the foregoing of a desperately needed prescription.
Area nonprofit organizations are the same, only we live from donation to donation to provide for those less fortunate.
I am certain that we are not alone in this situation, and many local nonprofits are sharing the same unfortunate experience. Since January 12th, when appeals for assistance to Haiti began, donations to this charity have dropped to almost nothing. Operational expenses for rent, insurance, communications and fuel are all paid by donations, which have dropped to near zero, our ability to continue operating is, once again, becoming doubtful. Although we are revamping our website, http://www.clcofdeltona.com , the Pay- Pal link was never disrupted, but has not been utilized since January 12th, and our mailbox brings only bills.
In 2009, Community Life Center of Deltona distributed the equivalent of 141,097 meals to clients in our community, double of what was served in 2008. In the tax year ended December 31st, 2008, free tax preparation and filing for clients returned in excess of $225,000 in refunds, donations cannot be accepted for this free service.
We have been blessed with many new volunteers through the Disney “Give a Day-Get a Day” program, primarily by helping us distribute and then collect food distribution bags door to door. We must purchase the bags $1,200.00, to last three months. Hunger, misfortune, hopeless and homelessness, requests for rent and utility payment assistance, food stamp applicants, job seekers, young families and elderly couples are the daily occurrence at Community Life Center of Deltona.
Please do not neglect our own. Community Life Center of Deltona would cherish, and needs, your contribution but this appeal is being made on behalf of all local non profits benefitting our community. Whether it is us or your favorite local charity, please contribute.
Bill Tavernier
Board President, Community Life Center of Deltona, Inc. 1691 Providence Blvd. Suite 102 Deltona, Florida 32725 BTavernier@CLCof Deltona.com Cell (407) 417-3264 http://www.swvolusia.com/?p=4691