Tremendous Response to Wellington Aid Drive for Haiti Flood Victims; Collections to Continue
RELEASE: September 17, 2008
AUTHOR/ADMINISTRATOR: By Equestrian Sport Productions
A trailer full of clothing, blankets and other items to help victims of widespread flooding in Haiti has been sent from Wellington to Miami for shipment to the devastated nation.
"We have had a tremendous response so far," said Katherine Bellissimo, who initiated the collection effort. She is a partner in Wellington Equestrian Partners that owns the management company, Equestrian Sport Productions, of the Wellington horse shows.
"The tremendous response to the needs of the flood victims has been wonderfully gratifying," she said.
The drive will continue until Friday, September 26.
The Wellington horse show grounds, Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, on Pierson Road was designated as a collection point a week ago because of the availability of staff and storage facilities.
Bellissimo launched the aid drive on September 10 after receiving reports of flooding in and around Gonaives, the third largest city in Haiti. The region was drenched by weeks of torrential downpours from Tropical Storm Hannah and Hurricane Ike.
The Loxahatchee-based therapuetic riding group, Vinceremos, provided use of their trailer as a drop-off container.
It took the first shipment to Miami on Monday.
Bellissimo said she had placed her own polo trailer near the guard shack at the trailer entrance to the show grounds at 14440 Pierson Road.
Donations are being accepted from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.