From Lynbrook to Haiti

On Feb. 4, the Haiti Relief Fund, headquartered in Lynbrook and run by Island Park resident Carlo Thertus, sent off a 40-foot shipping container loaded with donations of relief supplies for Haiti from Greis Park. “We would like to thank all of the people in the New York area who so generously donated items for Haiti Relief as well as our Long Island volunteers who helped us sort and prepare all of the donated goods,” said Karen Michel-Thertus, Carlo’s wife  ”We would also like to thank the village of Lynbrook for letting Haiti Relief park the shipping container at Greis Park while it was being prepared.” The Haiti Relief Fund was founded by the Carlo Thertus and his brother, Hansy Thomas in 2004, after Hurricane Jeanne devastated Haiti. Thomas lives and operates a business in Haiti. Thertus serves as its president and CEO, Michel-Thertus is a vice president, and Thomas, a mechanical engineer, is vice president and coordinator of relief distribution in Haiti. “Calls and e-mails have been coming in from all over and we are working hard to keep up with the demand,” said Michel-Thertus. “But more is still needed.” The Thertus’s will continue to accept donations at 48-D Atlantic Avenue in Lynbrook (Creative Art Space for Kids, their family-owned business) as they prepare for the next shipping container. Volunteers are also needed to help sort donations. If interested, you can just drop in at in Monday through Friday between noon and 7 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.  The Haiti Relief Fund is still in need of: Medical supplies such as bandages, alcohol, peroxide, iodine, tylenol, arm/leg braces, slings, crutches, wheelchairs, etc. Water and non-perishable food items. Diapers, formula, infant rice cereal, baby clothes, wipes, bottles, soft clean toys. Cots, tents, flashlights w/batteries, camping gear. Generators and building supplies. Clean, gently used clothing and shoes. Bankets, sheets and towels. Toiletries such as shampoo, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, hand sanitizer, etc. Corrugated cardboard boxes for packing up goods. To learn more about our mission you can visit Haiti Relief Fund on the web www.haitirelieffund.org. or Contact: Carlo Thertus at (516) 578-0603. Comments about this story? MMalloy@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 202.