Tents Needed for Haiti Relief
Mark Richey, a past president of the AAC, is helping to organize a collection drive for tents and sleeping bags to send to Haiti to aid the hundreds of thousands (perhaps millions) of people left homeless by the recent earthquake. “Used tents, as long as they are functional, and sleeping bags are fine, and of course new tents and sleeping bags from any of our outdoor industry friends would be ideal,” Richey said. “Since the climate is hot, lightweight sleeping bags are preferable and larger, camping-style tents would be best, but anything will be used.”
Time is of the essence, so equipment should be sent no later than Friday, January 22, to:
Mark Richey Woodworking
40 Parker Street
Newburyport, MA 01950-4056
Richey’s employees and volunteers will check the gear and prepare it for shipment.
Former AAC vice president Jim Ansara and his wife, Karen, also are heavily involved in the Haiti relief effort. The Haiti Fund has been created by the Ansaras and the Boston Foundation to provide immediate relief as well as a long-term focus on reconstruction and human rights. Donations to the Haiti Fund will be matched dollar for dollar by the Ansara Family Fund, up to $1 million. To learn more or make a donation, visit the Haiti Fund web page.
I manage an outdoor gear shop in Lincoln, NE and would absolutely love to help out! We are doing the same thing here, but unfortunately can not get the tents to you by Jan 22nd. Where are you sending yours to? Is it in Haiti or through a different organization? Please respond as quickly as you can. Otherwise are you doing a second ship date in the near futue?
Would like to donate family sized tent. I have been preoccupied with southwestern storm and could not meet Jan 22 time. Is it possible to send donation in next few days as time is short for people in need?
I have a couple of tents and sleeping bags that I would love to donate but where do I send them, and where can I send them after January 22nd?
I have some gear but where can it be sent now (1/26)?
I’ve got a large tent to donate–I have the same questions as the others–can’t get it there this week. What’s next?
Hey all,
Thanks for your interest in jumping on board to send tents and sleeping bags down to Haiti. Now that the collection deadline has passed, we’re chasing down some answers as to where gear can be sent. We’ll post as soon as we know!
In the meantime, you can donate financially here: http://www.bostonfoundation.org/Content.aspx?ID=13368. All donations up to 1 million will be matched by the Family Fund of former AAC vice-president Jim Ansara.