Spring 2009
Aftermath of Hurricanes
CHP responds to the tragedy in Haiti in the aftermath of Hurricanes Gustav, Hanna & Ike
We continue to communicate with Father Kesner and others on the ground in Haiti about the situation in Haiti. Certainly, Gonaives is the hardest hit and many international relief organizations are beginning to respond. In the meantime, Father Kesner is in communication with the Red Cross and specifically the local posts at Anse Veau and Petit trou. They are evaluating the needs but the roads are blocked and it is not possible to get supplies of any kind to the Petit trou area, other than by foot, donkey, horse and motorcycle. He agrees that CHP is not a relief organization, which is why he is working to realize relief through the Red Cross, the Episcopal Diocese (ERD) and others.
While the physical damage in the de Nippes region is generally not on the magnitude of what is happening in Gonaives, there is a severe shortage of food due to the blocked roads and damage to gardens. Fortunately,there is a considerable amount of food in storage at St. Paul's for use at the school. Kesner has requested we consider diverting some of this food to those in urgent need. In response, I have asked him to use his best judgment and distribute food from the St. Paul's storage. To date over 3000 pounds of rice has been distributed equitably throughout the region we serve and I would expect this to double in the next week.
As we all know, this is simply a stopgap measure and we are counting on larger organizations, experienced in disaster relief, like CRS, ERD, Red Cross and others to step in shortly. We also know that the situation in the de Nippes and throughout the country requires a response. Therefore, beyond what we have committed to Father Kesner from CHP resources, I would encourage all of us to solicit contributions to ERD, PIH, Food for the Poor, and the Red Cross designated for Haitian disaster relief.
CHP will continue to monitor the situation, advocate for the communities in the de Nippes region and take additional steps as needed.
Don Snyder ~ Chair, Colorado Haiti Project Board of Directors
The Anschutz Foundation Awards
The Anschutz Foundation awards CHP with a $150,000 challenge grant for the community water project
In June of 2008, responding to a grant request for funding the Community Water Project, the Colorado Haiti Project received word from the Anschutz Foundation, that they had granted a $150,000 challenge grant to fund the $300,000 project. We are extremely grateful for this gift. Of course, now it is up to us to raise $150,000 to take full advantage of the matching funds provided by this grant. Additional information about the Water Project
Colorado Episcopal Foundation
What is More-than-a-Match?
Starting in 2007, the Colorado Episcopal Foundation set 0.7% of our annual budget to support the Millennium Development Goals. To maximize the funds, we've launched More-than-a-Match, a matching campaign. The Foundation will match donations by churches and individuals in the Diocese, up to $12,000, towards the support of the MDG's. (www.episcopalchurch.org/ONE)
Who will benefit?
The funds will be distributed equally between the Colorado Haiti Project's Three Bishops' Fund Water Project and the re-construction of the burned down primary school in war-torn Abyei, Sudan.
At A Glance
- The 2nd Annual School Mission will be rescheduled to November 7 - 16.
- The Environmental Mission will be rescheduled to October 30 - November 6, 2008.
- Mike Glinsky has joined the CHP Board of Directors. Mike is the Emeritus Executive Vice President and CFO of Qwest Communications. Mike and his wife Pat were early missionaries to Petit trou, visiting the mission site before the church was completed.
- Jack Zeller has joined the Board as our new Treasurer. A CPA with a degree in accounting, Jack's career has included running his own accounting firm, Senior Auditor with Arthur Andersen, and 25 years as a professor of accounting.
- Mike Earnest, MD has joined the Board as our new Medical Director, succeeding Dr. Ted Lewis. Mike is retired from 10 years as Associate Medical Director of Denver Health Medical Center, where he continues as a volunteer attending physician in neurology. Mike has extensive experience working and consulting in Third World countries, most notably India.
News Clips
Melissa Mahaney Steps Down as Executive Director
It is with utmost appreciation, for the innumerable contributions Melissa has made to the Colorado Haiti Project over the last two years, that we announce her resignation. Melissa has brought this organization to a new level. Her professionalism, her organizational skills and most importantly, her heart for Haiti are reflected in the present health of the Colorado Haiti Project. Whether it be Board member recruitment, Konbit sponsorships, the level of giving to the Annual Fund,the organization of the CHP office, or the first Annual Benefit, her signature is there and we have benefited. Melissa has done a very, very good job for us and she will be missed.
In the short term, Melissa's loss presents some challenges for us as an organization. That said, we look forward with confidence, to our next stage of development. I want to personally thank Melissa for her time with us. The contributions she made here in Colorado have greatly benefited our brothers and sisters in Haiti. And after all, our friends in Haiti are what we are all about.
Thank you, Melissa.
Don Snyder - President, Colorado Haiti Project Board of Directors
Many Thanks to American Airlines
The Colorado Haiti Project is once again in the debt of American Airlines in Colorado Springs and Regional Manager Lothar VonWolfseck, for their annual assistance to our Medical Mission by transporting free of charge a mountain of duffel bags containing medical supplies, medicines, and children's health kits. With their help, the Medical Mission team was able to serve over 1,000 of our Haitian brothers and sisters.
We salute William Dise of the American Airlines Ambassadors program, our brother in Christ, whose gracious and unstinting support to our School Mission and Insight Trips has allowed us to transport free of charge what we've always dreamed of bringing for the students and teachers of St. Paul's School.