Haiti Relief Efforts
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the extent of the disaster in Haiti?
On Tuesday, January 12, 2010 a 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit Port-au-Prince, Haiti causing extensive destruction to an already weak infrastructure.
This destruction caused approximately 200,000 deaths with many more injuries. It is estimated that 250,000 residences and 30,000 commercial buildings collapsed or were severely damaged causing an estimated 1.2 million people to become homeless.
How can I help with Haiti relief efforts?
We are working with orphanages and churches in Haiti in order to help minister to the physical and spiritual needs of neglected and orphaned children in the name of Jesus. Your financial support will help us with various relief activities in Haiti. Or consider joining us on one of our international trips where you can help provide hands on support to children in Haiti.
Click here if you can donate any amount toward our relief efforts in Haiti. (Please note on the donation form that your contribution is for Haiti relief efforts.)
Click here to see a list of upcoming international mission trips.
Buckets of Hope
You can help feed a family in Haiti for a week by helping with the Buckets of Hope project. This project focuses on filling a plastic five-gallon bucket and packing it with rice, cooking oil, black beans, flour, sugar, spaghetti noodles, and peanut butter. Click here for more information on the Buckets of Hope project.
Will the Children’s Homes be caring for Haitian orphans?
The Florida Baptist Children's Homes is prepared to care for up to 250 Haitian orphans (and possibly more). If necessary, we will care for these children in large group home type settings in facilities that we have secured in Central Florida and South Florida. We are in regular communication with state and federal officials regarding our readiness to care for a large influx of Haitian orphans should it become necessary.
Contrary to some rumors, we are currently not caring for any Haitian orphans at this time. But again, we have made the necessary arrangements and stand ready to mobilize our Haitian orphan staff teams in less than two hours should we be called upon to do so.
Does the Children’s Homes have any mission trips planned for Haiti?
We have a trip planned to Haiti from February 20-27.
This trip is currently full, but we will be scheduling additional trips to Haiti later this year. Click here to see a list of upcoming international mission trips.
Please contact Ron Gunter at Ron.Gunter@FBCHomes.org or Martha Martinez at Martha.Martinez@FBCHomes.org at (305) 271-4121 if you have any questions or would like to participate in future trips to Haiti.
Will Haitian children become available for adoption due to the earthquake?
We do not know if any additional children will become available for adoption due to the earthquake disaster. We are monitoring the situation daily and are in regular contact with state and federal authorities regarding possible needs now or in the future.
Everything we do is in accordance with state and federal laws as well as in strict compliance with the laws and customs of the country that we are working.
However, if anyone is interested in adopting please contact us at children@FBCHomes.org and provide us with your name, home address, phone number, and email address and we will contact you when more information becomes available. Click here to learn more about the Children’s Homes’ adoption services.
Help us as we prepare to care for Haitian orphans
We need your help with any supplies that you may be able to donate to help us care for Haitian orphans that may come to Florida. See needed supplies listed below. Please contact Aleesa Harris at Aleesa.Harris@FBCHomes.org or 863-797-9860 for more information.
-- Bed linens such as sheets, blankets, pillow cases, etc.
-- Pillows
-- Towels, wash cloths, hand towels
-- Toilet paper/paper towels
-- Diapers, formula, baby food, diaper wipes, etc.
-- Laundry detergent
-- First aid kits and supplies such as latex gloves, over the counter medications, etc.
-- Personal hygiene items such as shampoo, bath soap, hand soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, feminine hygiene products, deodorant, hair brushes and combs, ethnic hair care products, lotion, etc.
-- Baby hygiene products such as shampoo, lotion, baby powder, diaper rash cream, etc.
-- Children's Bibles
-- New and gently used comfort items such as teddy bears, dolls, stuffed animals, etc.
-- Recreational supplies such as games, toys, puzzles, balls (soccer balls), coloring books, crayons, etc.