Help for Haiti planned

DOWNEY - City of Downey staff and volunteers will be collecting cash donations at the traffic entrances of Stonewood Center tomorrow, Jan. 23, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.The Red Cross will apply the donations to relief efforts for the victims of the recent devastating earthquake in Haiti. Members of the Downey Fire Department and members of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and the Emergency Preparedness Committee will be staffing the donation collection areas. Personal checks written to the 'American Red Cross' are welcome. Unfortunately, no other donations will be accepted. Transporting donated goods to Haiti at this time presents too many challenges for the Red Cross. The primary airfield in Haiti is already over-burdened by the large amount of relief air traffic. The fundraising staff and other volunteers will also be passing out emergency preparedness handouts on Saturday. The information will include suggested lists of supplies and actions for family preparedness. It is well known that the Southern California area is prone to many natural disasters including earthquakes of significant magnitude. Stonewood Center is located on the northwest corner of Lakewood and Firestone. The mall can be accessed from Firestone Boulevard, Lakewood Boulevard or Woodruff Avenue. Stonewood Center is also accepting monetary donations at their Guest Services desk located near JCPenney. Donations at Guest Services can be made in the form of cash, check or credit card.

********** Published: January 22, 2010 - Volume 8 - Issue 40