The phone keeps ringing and each call brings more bad news from remote parts of Haiti. Hurricane Matthew wiped away hundreds of people and their homes last week.
“It is absolutely heartbreaking what is coming in today,” said Miriam Frederick who is receiving calls from Haiti.
The Palm Beach County woman has worked with children in western Haiti for 35 years. She said those families lost their homes and are cut off from help.
“They're fearful that hunger is turning into starvation if we don't do anything,” Frederick explained.
So she’s doing something. She runs New Life Children’s Home and World Harvest Missions. She’s collecting monetary donations online and beginning Wednesday, her organizations will accept food, clothing and other supplies in boxes.
Thursday, she and nine others are flying to Haiti to deliver what she can to those who need it most.
“I’m not nervous at all,” she said. “I feel like my engine is running inside my heart. I can't wait to get there.”
“My heart hurts,” admitted Nader Boliver.
He grew up in Saint-Louis-du-Sud, an area devastated by Matthew. Luckily, his aunt, uncle, cousins and friends back home survived. Although many lost their homes.
Boliver now lives in Boynton Beach. He said it’s great his new community is lifting up his old home.
“I want the Haitian people to put hands together, put heads together, put shoulders together, and to let Haiti run,” he said of a long term solution to prevent future disasters from having such an impact.
Fellow Haitian now living in Boynton Beach, Yvener Desir, said it’s a relief to know communities in Florida are helping his home country.
“That's a blessing, that's amazing, those people have hearts,” Desir said.
If you want to help, you can drop off donations beginning Wednesday at these locations:
TRINITY CHURCH INTERNATIONAL 7255 S. Military Trail Lake Worth, FL 33463
AC SELF STORAGE 1177 W. Blue Heron Boulevard Riviera Beach, FL 33404
You can donate money byclicking here.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help church in Delray Beach is also collecting food, water and medical supplies. Parishioners from the predominantly Haitian congregation plan on traveling to Haiti soon.