Phila. groups pull together to help Haitians

While much-needed aid continued to pour into Haiti yesterday from around the world, many here were adding to the relief efforts that began after a magnitude-7 earthquake rocked the Caribbean nation on Tuesday.

Dozens of local groups, businesses and people have pulled together to send desperately needed resources after the earthquake killed up to 50,000 people, according to news reports.

Stephane Jean-Baptiste, of the Haitian Professionals of Philadelphia, said his group is collecting contributions at various sites throughout the city. To find out where they are, go to www.hpphilly.org.

Miguel Castaneda, owner of Cuba Restaurant, on Germantown Avenue near Evergreen in Chestnut Hill, said that through February he will donate 20 percent of all nondiscounted food proceeds to help quake victims.

To make reservations, go to www.mycubanrestaurant.com or call 215-242-4422.

A spokesman with the school district said faculty and students have been provided information on how to contribute.

Mayor Nutter yesterday called on Philadelphians to support Haitian victims by donating money to approved charities like the Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, UNICEF or the Salvation Army.

"All of us want to try to do something," said Nutter, who met with city Haitian leaders yesterday and on Wednesday night. "The primary focus of the federal government is on cash assistance."

Nutter also noted that Fire Lt. John O'Neill is heading to Haiti to help with search and rescue. Nutter said that O'Neill - who was similarly deployed after Hurricane Katrina and 9/11 - was requested by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Aid officials have said the best way to contribute is by giving money, something Comcast, and other major organizations, took to heart.

The cable company donated $1 million in cash and in-kind support to the Red Cross and Telecoms Sans Frontieres, or Telecom without Borders, a communications company.

The Red Cross will also split a $500,000 grant by the The Pew Charitable Trusts with CARE Inc., a humanitarian group.

Meanwhile, the Roman Catholic church, the dominant religious organization in Haiti, plans to offer solace through prayer and will solicit donations from its parishioners this weekend.

A special collection for relief efforts will be taken during Mass on Jan. 23 and 24, with all funds donated going to Catholic Relief Services (www.crs.org), said a spokesman for the Philadelphia Archdiocese.

Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will celebrate a special Mass for Haitian victims tonight at the Cathedral Basilica of Ss. Peter and Paul, 18th Street and Ben Franklin Parkway.

Tonight's service will be given in English and Creole, one of the two official languages of Haiti. About 80 percent of the country's population is Catholic. And more than 2,300 Haitian Catholics are in the Archdiocese, said spokesman Kevin Mulligan.

The Catholic Church suffered a great loss this week with the death of the Archbishop of Haiti, the Most Reverend Joseph Serge Miot, in the quake. Hundreds of priests and seminarians also perished, Mulligan said.

Communication for many of the survivors remains scarce and people are getting more desperate, said Emmanuel Polection, director of the Haitian Community Help Center, who also hosts a local Haitian radio show.

"I talked to many people who've tried [to contact relatives] and they haven't been able to. You have people asking for us to communicate to Haiti for them," he said, noting regretfully that he doesn't have the capabilities.

THEY WILL HELP YOU HELP

When thinking about donating money to the Haiti relief effort, be wary of scammers looking to cash in on the heartache.

Take a minute to make sure a charity is legit at www.charitynavigator.org or the Better Business Bureau's Giving Alliance at www.bbb.org/us/charity.

Or, you can contact the following organizations:

Staff writer Catherine Lucey contributed to this report.