You are making a difference

One of the great things about working for a community newspaper is seeing how people demonstrate an unbelievable amount of caring and compassion when it is needed most.

Case in point is the response from schools and individuals who have taken it upon themselves to try and do what they can to help the people of Haiti who have had their lives torn apart by the Jan. 12 earthquake.

The destruction and devastation Haiti is experiencing is only comparable in recent history to the scope of impact of the Dec. 26, 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami that left over 150,000 people dead in 11 countries according to a National Geographic report.

In Port-au-Prince alone 150,000 people have died. The death toll could reach over 200,000. As the multitudes of homeless are struggling to survive in the aftermath of this tragedy, there are those on the ground in Haiti and others far and wide around the globe trying to help them.

The people of Newfoundland are included in that group of people trying to make a difference. Even though we may feel a world away from what is happening in Haiti, it hasn't stopped from people connecting with the enormous need that exists.

As The Pilot found out last week, the impact of the needs people are facing in Haiti has been felt locally and the response has been tremendous. Just from those who have contacted the newspaper, there has been close to $10,000 raised through a gospel concert and fundraisers at various schools. When matched by the federal government that total will double.

This amount raised is fantastic and those who gave what they could have responded with their hearts to an immediate humanitarian need. The funds raised accounts for a percentage of what has been donated through the Haiti relief efforts as other area towns, organizations, schools and individuals have given and continue to give as the need is still urgent in Haiti.

Every bit counts. We heard last week of a Pilot newspaper carrier who donated the money she had earned from her recent paper route to the Haiti efforts. On Saturday Girl Guides set up at the Lewisporte Mall to sell candy to raise money to donate to the Haiti effort. What these young people have donated to this effort will ultimately put food and clean water into the hands of someone who so desperately needs it.

It's still a matter of survival for the people in a country that has been left in ruins. It's the unwavering support of people like you that will help the Haitian people make it through this ordeal and begin to move on with their lives.