NEW * Donated Works*

On February 5,2010 I was contacted by Karen Kohl, a member of Haitian Disaster Relief of Arizona, she was looking for an artist to create a mural on a wall in the new Pollack Haitian Center of Hope, for the Haitian Disaster Relief of Arizona. One important part of this request, they needed it completed in time for the grand opening on Thursday the 12th. As it turned out, the stars were aligned for this project, I was available and after 15 hours of work, I was completed by Tuesday afternoon. The Grand Opening was very exciting, moving, emotional, fun, sad and uplifting all at the same time. There was a great turn out of volunteers, Michael Pollack who has donated the office space and large warehouse, city and state dignitaries, Haitian citizens, Pastors from Haitian churches from local town and Haiti. Volunteers that have recently returned from Haiti gave testimonials about their trip, the work they have done, the help and supplies that are needed, the conditions the Haitian People are enduring since the earthquake. I do not have all the names of the volunteers, but the work they are doing is fantastic and so much more is needed. The center has a list of supplies that are desperately needed, if anyone is looking for a way to help, please contact the center for the information. Donated items can be dropped off at the center during operating hours.

I am extremely happy to have been asked to help with this. I was very touched by the response to the mural by the people. It was very touching and emotional for me to see and hear the Haitian people in attendance to come up to the mural and point out where they were from, where their families are at, how wide spread the damage from the earthquake is. I did not realize in the beginning just how important this somewhat simple map mural would be to the people. I am blessed to have been able to help in even this small way. Thank you Christine, Shella, Karin, Jean and all the others for contacting me. Nora Niles

Michael Pollack receiving Declaration from Arizona's Governor's office on behalf of HDRA

Members from St.Andrew's Catholic Church, Leigh Emrick, Nora Niles-Arist, Karen Kohl, a very nice volunteer, apologies for not knowing her name.

Volunteers telling of their recent trip to Haiti, Big John and Doctor (apologies for not knowing name)

February 5, 2010

Haitian Disaster Relief of Arizona acquires warehouse

Posted by : jd

Filed under : From the Staff, Local News, Nation/World

Last issue, we featured some local efforts to help Haitians after the devastating January earthquake rocked the Caribbean country.

Jean and Shella Michel, pastors of First Community Haitian Church in Mesa.

Today I received an email from Karen Kohl, who is featured in this week’s piece and is involved with Haitian Disaster Relief of Arizona. She reports 8,000 square feet of warehouse space were donated to the relief effort. The grand opening of the warehouse — which the relief effort has for six months — will be from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 11 at the warehouse, 3164 S. Country Club Drive, Suites 8 and 13, Mesa. That’s between Guadalupe and Elliot.

Haitian Disaster Relief or Arizona is a joint effort that began last month between St. Andrew Parish in Chandler and First Community Haitian Church in Mesa.

Kohl says she’s looking for volunteers to help at the new location.

“We have so much space, I am thinking of selling Haitian coffee and having a coffee station,” she said. They might even have a project area, a display area and a sewing area, along with the storage space, she added.

Kohl also noted the upcoming Gilbert Global Festival, April 17, at which folks can call attention to Haiti.

If you want to get in touch with Karen Kohl, drop me a line at jdlgarcia@catholicsun.org and I’ll pass along your information.

Thanks to the help of a Mesa real-estate developer, Christine Ellis of Chandler is now able to carry out her cause.

Michael Pollack, known for redeveloping aging shopping centers in the East Valley, has donated retail space for six months to aid Ellis' charity efforts to help those affected by major earthquakes in Haiti earlier in January.

The Pollack Haitian Hope Center, a donation center, opens Thursday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Ellis has been involved in Haitian causes and charities for 20 years. She and her sister, Pastor Shella, lead the Haiti Disaster Relief of Arizona. Shella is planning to leave for Haiti on Feb. 15 along with several other volunteers to distribute donations they have collected so far.

The center is looking for clothing, medical supplies and monetary donations. How will it get there?

Ellis said Hawk Delivery Service has provided a truck to help collect donations. FedEx has also pledged five trucks to go to Miami where shipments will be delivered to Haiti by Project C.U.R.E. Medical supplies will be donated to Diquini Hospital in Port au Prince, the country's capital.

This mural was created and installed in the Children's playroom at the Military Veterans Hospitality Room
Which is located on the Mezzanine Level of Terminal 2 at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport.

The room is a place where children can go while waiting with family and watch TV, play with toys, read books or just hang out.

Now there is a lot more to look at then just plain walls. With a donation for supplies, artwork and labor was donated by Nora Niles
to give the children and families a little more chance for imagination while they are enjoying the Hospitality Room and all it's benefits.

I'd like to say Thank you to all the Military men, women and families for their service. And to the MVHR for giving me the opportunity
to brighten everyone's time while they are in the room.