The 7.0 magnitude earthquake leveled most of the capital, Port-au-Prince, including a hospital, the National Palace and the U.N. peacekeeper headquarters. Officials estimate the death toll to be at 200,000.
From the Word Ministries, located in the Highlands at 17160 Plant Road., is collecting non-perishables, canned goods, blankets and money as part of the national relief effort to help those in Haiti.
Pastor Bishop Terrance D. Williams is working on coordinating a partnership with other churches in the area to make sure that all of their collected resources go directly to Haiti.
"I do believe that it certainly is important that we help people during this time of devastation," he said. "We have to be able to show how grateful we are for being spared from such travesty and devastation. We ought to be able to have an extended good will effort for all of humanity."
Williams said that if anyone would like to make a donation they can call him at 910-373-8908 or call Charlotte Covington at 910-373-9272.
Four Scotland High School students are making an effort to help as well.
The four, all members of the non-profit organization called Students Together for Everyone's Progress and Success ( S.T.E.P.S.), are doing their part by collecting water to send to Haiti.
Laurinburg natives Demonte Alford, Daniel Hall, Trenton Alford and Will Collins, founding members of the organization, are leading the effort. The group is looking to collect at least 350 gallons of water (bottles, liters, gallons, etc.) and $500 to send to Haiti. Participants can make donations for two weeks, and should drop off water supplies to any one of the six schools at Scotland County High School.
According to Hall, 17, the FBLA President of the School of Business, Finance and Marketing, after only five days of raising money the group has collected more than $400 for the relief effort.
"I believe that if you are in the position to help someone that you should lend a hand when necessary," Hall said.
Trenton Alford, 17, a student at the School of Math, Science and Technology, said that he is proud that each of the six County High Schools are coming together to help those in need.
"This is something really special,” he said. “I remember sitting in my room watching TV when I found out about what happened in Haiti. This is something we were meant to do."
According to Demonte Alford, 18, many of the people in Haiti are under 21 years old, and more than 80 percent of the population lives in poverty. This leads S.T.E.P.S. to want to help those devastated from the earthquake because they are close in age.
Scotland County Red Cross Chapter Executive Director Carol Ann Lentz said her organization, which only accepts monetary donations in the efforts to assist the people of Haiti, has received a strong community response to the disaster.
"We've had people making donations directly to us over the phone, we've had walk-in donations, and we've had others calling in to the Red Cross toll free number to pledge their support," Lentz said. "As of Wednesday, the Red Cross had received $150 million in donations. Contributions to our chapter, which includes Scotland and Robeson counties, have reached $10,000. Help is needed now, and we've had a lot of very generous donors calling and offering their assistance."
To contribute to the Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti, phone the chapter at 276-0600.
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