Relief by Aircraft

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January 14, 2010

Haiti: Airplanes to the Rescue

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By Paul Bertorelli

This week's news is dominated by the massive earthquake that seems to have all but leveled Port au Prince in Haiti. This morning, I noticed that the initial aid is arriving the only way it can arrive—via airplane.

As I'm writing this, a substantial airlift is underway flying supplies, medical equipment and food into Haiti. As is usually the case, it will be a while before that aid makes much of a dent, but it has to be done and much of it will come from the U.S.

If you're limbering up your checkbook for a donation, one aviation-oriented charity located right at my home airport in Venice, Florida is worth considering. Agape Flight is a 501(c) non-profit that has been doing relief work in Haiti, the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas for a number of years using an aircraft based in Venice. It has been making routine flights but, given the earthquake disaster, it's obviously stepping up its efforts, using its King Air 90.

While that's a relatively small airplane, no amount of aid going into Haiti is trivial, so a donation is worth considering. Click this link for more information.

I'm sure there are other organizations doing similar work. Feel free to post the appropriate links.

Comments

Slight correction... Agape is a 501(c)3 non-profit, not a 501(c) non-profit. I don't know about Agape and certainly would not ever think of casting any kind of doubt about their operation. This is just a warning to be aware that not all 501(c)3 non-profit organizations qualify for legal tax deductible status. It can vary year to year.

Contact IRS if this is important to you. Don't ever take a deduction which isn't qualified.

Now you can flame me all you want...

I do feel for these people and their miserable system of government. They were warned three years ago about this possibility in the near future. Google Popular Mechanics, Haiti, and earthquake.

posted by David Spencer on January 15, 2010 [report abuse]

In response to David Spencer's comment concerning Haiti's miserable government and the warnings of possible, more likely probable disaster, it sounds like New Orleans.

posted by Richard Montague on January 18, 2010 [report abuse]

Another group that can use the financial assistance -- Missionary Flight International is flying DC-3s out of Ft. Pierce, FL. They have been flying to Haiti and the Carribean since 1964. / They are Mission so are funded by varous churches and individual supporters. They can use any assistance.

posted by David Downey on January 18, 2010 [report abuse]

Graceflight of America (www.graceflight.org) has been flying missions into Haiti with medical supplies, doctors, and water engineers. Graceflight (of which Angelflight South Central is a part) has been flying into Cape Haiten Intl and into Jacmel (about 25 miles from Port Au Prince. This allows GA to get needed supplies and medical staff into areas that the larger military and civilian aircraft cannot access, and avoids the large problems with distribution from Port au Prince.

But you are correct... this is a job for primarily twins or larger turboprop singles (PC-12, for example). Donations to Graceflight would be most welcome... as would everyone's wishes for safe missions for our pilots.

posted by James Knox on January 21, 2010 [report abuse]

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