STATEHOUSE (March 2, 2010) - State Sen. Travis Holdman (R-Markle) announced today that Van Buren Elementary School students met his challenge of raising $1,000 to help send relief items to Haiti.

Holdman asked students at Van Buren Elementary School for their assistance in collecting $1,000 needed to help cover costs of shipping items from Florida to Haiti. 

“I am very excited to see these students getting involved in helping the people of Haiti,” Holdman said. “Despite tough times in our own state, these students found ways to help others in a big way. I commend them for their extraordinary efforts not only meeting the goal, but actually surpassing it by collecting $1,089.”

“Senator Holdman addressed the student body of Eastbrook Van Buren Elementary to tell of his experiences in Haiti. He also challenged the students to raise $1,000 for the earthquake victims, thus starting the ‘Hearts for Haiti’ donation campaign for our school,” said Jane Hemmick, teacher at Van Buren Elementary. “During the next 10 days, students brought in money and signed a heart with their name in recognition of giving to this cause. The students worked very hard and ended up raising $1,089.12. This money was sent in the form of a check to Missionary Flights International and will be used to assist in flying relief supplies into Haiti.”

Van Buren Elementary School’s initiative is part of a larger effort involving the men’s group at the Zanesville United Methodist Church (ZUM). So far, volunteers from the Blackford County courthouse and Norwell High School helped the church collect $2,000 in cash donations as well as 800 pounds of food, first-aid kits and flashlights, among other essential supplies.

Holdman - who years ago served as a missionary with his wife in Haiti - said residents waiting to help can donate the following items:

• Snack-type foods, like Granola bars;
• Cereal;
• Peanut butter;
• Blankets;
• Towels;
• Wash cloths;
• Personal hygiene items (soap, toothpaste, shampoo, etc.);
• First-aid kits, antibiotics;
• Flashlights and batteries; and
• Generators.

While clothing items will not be accepted, cash donations are welcomed. Holdman said checks could be written to “ZUM Men” and either delivered or mailed to the church at 11811 Wayne St., Zanesville, IN 46799.
Donations will be shipped by the ZUM men’s group to Florida for Haiti delivery by Missionary Flights International. After receiving the supplies, the missionary group can fly small planes to Haiti, landing on remote airstrips to avoid interfering with national relief efforts.

Items may be delivered Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Friday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to noon and some Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Please call 1-260-638-4108 for more information.

According to news reports, the death toll from an earthquake that struck Haiti last month may reach 300,000.