Physicians for Peace

Yesterday’s event exceeded everyone’s expectation. We estimate more than 250 cars dropped off donations at our Old Dominion University site.  From yesterday’s 3 hour drive, we collected enough materials to fill one 40 foot container… which, when eventually sent, will change the lives of hundreds of disabled Haitians.      

Every donor had a story.  

·         “My grandmother recently died and we had her wheelchair.  We’ve written a note on the back of the wheelchair sending our love to the people of Haiti.”

·         “I represent the largest maritime law firm in Hampton Roads.  We sent out an email to all our attorneys and are donating these dozens of walkers and crutches.”

·          “I wanted to do something for the people of Haiti and went around to every thrift store in the area and bought all of their crutches to donate.”

·         “I work for the school system and we had these sitting in a storage area.  I hope these crutches will help someone in Haiti.”

·         Sobbing:  “My wife died last month.  This donation will help me to know that she was really able to help those in Haiti.”

These are but a few of the hundreds of stories we heard yesterday.  My thanks to staffers Mary Kwasniewski, Monika Bridgforth and Ken Hudson and long time PFP volunteer and ODU professor Gail Grisetti for organizing this event in just a few short days.  Thanks also to MOC member Dr. Raouf Gharbo and ODU MOC student rep Patricia Birungi who were there from beginning to end helping to unload the donations.  And a special thanks to the students and faculty of Old Dominion University’s School of Physical Therapy who did the yeoman’s work managing the hundreds of pieces of equipment we collected. 

All the local media covered the event.  We are particularly indebted to CBS’s WTKR Channel 3 here in Norfolk and to NBC 4 in Washington DC for their extensive pre-coverage of the drive.   (See the Pilot’s article at: http://hamptonroads.com/2010/01/medicalsupply-drive-nets-huge-ourpouring-haiti.)  We expect further coverage on Larry King tomorrow night.

This is only the beginning.  Couple this, and future collections with Hanger’s generous donation of $125,000 in cash and equipment, and our Walking Free program is poised to have a significant impact on the reconstruction phase of Haiti’s people.   

Best,

Ron 

Brigadier General Ron Sconyers (USAF, Ret.)
President and CEO, Physicians for Peace