In the wake of the terrible earthquake in Haiti, all of us are asking “How can I help?” And many of us have been able to answer that question by donating money or supplies through our churches or favorite charities.
But I’m writing this letter on behalf of the Bahamas Habitat organization to tell you about some special ways that you, as a member of the aviation community, can get involved in the relief efforts so desperately needed in Haiti.
Bahamas Habitat (not affiliated with Habitat for Humanity) is a mission organization led by John Armstrong, our Diamond representative in the Virginia/Maryland territory. This US-based nonprofit organization has historically provided housing and disaster relief work in the Bahamas. Many of its volunteers are pilots who provide both their time and aircraft for relief missions. That experience flying missions to the Bahamas makes the organization uniquely qualified to provide similar missions to Haiti – and its efforts are in motion now.
Bahamas Habitat has set up a base of operation on Inagua in the Southern Bahamas, and from there it has been delivering medical supplies and evacuating people. They are using the airports at Cap Haitien and Les Cayes, north and west of Port-Au-Prince, which big aircraft cannot serve.
So far the flight missions have involved everything from Cessna 182’s, Bonanzas, Barons, and Aztecs to a Cessna 340’s and a Caravan. Volunteers that have twin engine aircraft and high performance singles are needed to join in the mission. The organization asks pilots with aircraft that are able to volunteer to do so online by going to
http://www.bahamashabitat.org. Organizations with medical and other supplies to donate should email:
[email protected].
There are a number of ways you can join this effort:
1. Aircraft owners can
volunteer to make flight missions. If you don’t have a plane they suggest you help get the message to other pilots that have suitable planes and then join in with them.
2. Help spread the word to pilots to request supplies, funds and additional airplanes.
3.
Donate to support the effort via the website at
http://www.bahamashabitat.org
4. Pray for the people of Haiti – and then pray some more.
Pilots are special people who understand that, when an island is overwhelmed in a disaster, the aviation community can help. If you can help, please contact John through the website links provided above. And thanks for continuing your prayers and reaching out to the people of Haiti.
Sincerely,
Earle Boyter
Executive Vice President
Premier Aircraft Sales, Inc.
5544 NW 23rd Avenue, Hangar 15
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
1-954-771-0411 Phone
1-954-771-3452 Fax
