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Rich-Mar Rotary Club raises cash for hospital
Source:
Cranberry Eagle
Written by:
Paula Grubbs
Published:
January 27, 2010
MARS — Rich-Mar Rotary members will send much-needed cash to the only hospital still standing in Haiti.
Club member Mark Vincent said the Rich-Mar club has enjoyed a long-standing relationship with Pittsburgh-based Friends of Hôpital Albert Schweitzer.
The mission of the hospital, or "hopital" in French, is to improve the health and well-being of the people in Haiti's Artibonite Valley.
That mission was put to the test when the devastating earthquake struck the impoverished nation Jan. 12 and killing an estimated 200,000 people.
Vincent said he learned soon after the quake that HAS was the only hospital in Haiti that withstood the destructive event.
"When we heard about the disaster, it seemed like a natural thing to donate to them," Vincent said.
Rich-Mar's board of directors decided at its meeting last week to match dollar-for-dollar every donation sent in by members.
The Rich-Mar club also will match the donations of Mars and Pine-Richland high schools' Interact clubs. Vincent described the Interact clubs as a sort of Rotary training group.
Rich-Mar Rotary involves the two Interact clubs in many of its fundraisers and other activities.
He said because the expense is not in the Rich-Mar Rotary budget, matching funds likely will be capped at $2,500. That means at least $5,000 will be sent to the hospital by Rich-Mar Rotary.
Whatever money the Rotary provides will be put to good use, according to the man responsible for running the facility.
"We are succeeding in the midst of mayhem to provide urgently needed surgical and medical care," said John Walton, board chairman of HAS in an e-mail. "It has always been part of our mission to work hand in hand with the people of Haiti in striving to improve their health and communities.
"It fills us with pride to have a talented and dedicated Haitian staff, trained over the years, and able to respond to this crisis in Haiti."
Those interested in donating to Hôpital Albert Schweitzer can log onto www.hashaiti. org.
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