LEWISPORTE -
The offerings for Singsation for Haiti, held on Jan. 24 at the Lewisporte Salvation Army, raised $5,221. However, with the Federal Government commitment to match donations dollar for dollar that total will be over $10,000.
On Jan. 12 at 4:53 p.m. the earth began to shake in Haiti and by 4:54 p.m. life, as people in Haiti knew it, would never be the same.
Seeing the images of destruction flash across the television from the earthquake, Major Lorne Hiscock knew he wanted to do something to help.
"Where I was in the house a lot, during my sickness, I had time to view and see the chaos, the heartache and the devastation in Haiti," he said. "Then when the government came up with matching amounts fundraised, it prompted me even more to get people to come on board."
Major Hiscock approached Christa Peckford to emcee the Singsation for Haiti with his grandson DantÉ Hiscock and the trio began planning the evening.
"My heart really went out to these people in Haiti and I knew the Salvation Army had a lot to do in Haiti," said Major Hiscock. "And I know that down the road we would still be involved with Haiti, with the rebuilding.
"So, I approached Captain's Joshua and Pauline Randall and then approached Salvation Army Headquarters regarding the fundraiser and of course all hands were on board and wanted to help."
Singers throughout the Singsation included, DantÉ accompanied by Major Hiscock, Ms. Peckford, Lorelei Cole, Leon Stuckey, Lewisporte Citadel Men's Choir, Norman Porter, Crystal Rowe, Tina Hann, Marg Hodder, Wilson Day, with instrumentals from Kristen and Laura Peckford on accordian and the Lewisporte Citadel Band. Captain Pauline Randell also performed a mime to the song "Glory of Your Grace."
Lewisporte District MHA Wade Verge spoke at the Singsation on the current situation in Haiti, with over 200,000 people estimated dead and millions now homeless.
"I was thinking about that and actually how you can get your head around numbers like that and I thought about the population about Newfoundland and Labrador," said Mr. Verge. "We have about 500,050 people here and there is about 200,000 people on the Avalon and if you go Corner Brook and west there is probably about 100,000 people.
"That would mean that if you start in Clarenville, take in every town - Gander, Lewisporte, Grand Falls-Windsor, Springdale, Deer Lake, right up the Northern Peninsula - take in all these people, it would still be a little less then 200,000 people, and that is how many have lost their lives in Haiti."
Mr. Verge also tried to paint a picture for those in attendance of how many people are actually homeless in the country due to the earthquake.
"If you include Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, take in all of New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island - you will have roughly about the same amount of people who are homeless in Haiti right now," he said. "And Haiti had problems long before the earthquake. It's the poorest country in the western hemisphere. Over 80 per cent of its people live below the poverty line."
Lewisporte Mayor Brian Peckford said the people of Haiti have endured more pain and suffering then most people could ever imagine, but the Salvation Army is there to help.
"The Salvation Army has had a presence in Haiti since the 1950s, operating schools, the local hospital, food programs, children's homes and other church related activities," said Mayor Peckford. "Once the bandages have been removed and the city rebuilt, the Salvation Army will remain in Haiti for years to come."
Mayor Peckford encouraged those who could donate to do so, within their means, and quoted Aesop who said; "No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted."
Donations still pouring in
"For one evening to take in that much money, that's $5,000 they wouldn't have - it's amazing and the donations are still coming in," said Major Hiscock. "When it was all said and done it worked out very well and everyone did a super job."
Ms. Peckford took time during the Singsation to thank those who came out and asked everyone to remember residents of Haiti.
"The difference between us and Haiti is simply geography," she said. "We must help them as much as we can."
Major Hiscock said everyone should count their blessings - everyday.
"We grumble and groan because we don't like the food or the water, but the next time someone does that, they should think about the over three million people that are now homeless in Haiti," said Major Hiscock. "We can go home to our warm homes, our warm beds; without a second thought. We are more then blessed.
"It was my pleasure to do something like this and it couldn't have been done any better and the response was incredible. And a big thank-you must go out from me, Christa and DantÉ to those who donated and those who took part in the Singsation. It's great to know that we raised $10,000 in total that is going to help a lot of people."
.jpg)
.jpg)
