BROOKLYN - In the wake of the catastrophic earthquake that struck Haiti early last week, U.S. Rep. Edolphus “Ed” Towns (NY-10) has called on several corporations to transport to Port-Au-Prince, Haiti thousands of donated humanitarian supplies collected by local officials, the Brownsville Recreation Center, Pitkin Avenue BID, Brownsville Partnership and residents of the Brownsville community. Rep. Towns initiated the collaborative, community-wide relief effort, being called Brownsville Cares, as a way for Brownsville residents and organizations to help the millions of people affected by Haiti’s earthquake.

“I am humbled and encouraged by the tremendous outpour of compassion for our brothers and sisters in Haiti expressed by people across the Brownsville community,” said Rep. Towns who is holding a prayer service for the families of Haiti’s earthquake victims this coming Sunday. Rep. Towns added, “Not everyone has cash to give, so this effort was a way for people to give the very best they could from their hearts, and the result is truly amazing. I will see to it that these items are safely delivered to the people of Haiti.”  

Doing its part to help the people of Haiti, the Brooklyn-based medical supplies company, Dealmed, Inc. has agreed to donate more than a ton of medical supplies to the relief effort.
Michael Einhorn, the President and CEO of Dealmed, Inc. said, “As a medical supply company, our values instill compassion and a sense of giving back. Our company slogan reads ‘understand healthcare.’ Understanding healthcare is more than delivering lifesaving products; it is about giving back in a time of need.”

Brownsville residents also came out in large numbers to donate hundreds of cases of bottled water, clothing and nonperishable goods.  These items were received at designated drop-off sites across Brownsville, including Brooklyn Recreation Center (BRC), Shoppers World, and the offices of Assemblyman William Boyland, Jr. (A.D. 55) and Councilwoman Darlene Mealy (District 41).

“I am very proud of the way the Brownsville community came together to help our brothers and sisters in Haiti,” said Assemblyman Boyland, whose office was instrumental in fielding calls and collecting goods for the relief effort. “I have urged constituents to not only donate to this effort but to also offer encouraging words to a fellow neighbor who may have family in Haiti.”

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“My heart goes out to the people of Haiti during this painfully difficult time,” said Councilwoman Mealy, a staunch supporter of the humanitarian relief effort and whose office continues to receive donations. “As the people of Haiti rebuild their country and their lives, we must remember to keep them and their families in our thoughts and prayers.”

“Amidst all of the destruction and the sadness this horrific earthquake has caused, I am hopeful that through this massive relief effort, we can positively impact the lives of Haitian people,” said Greg Jackson, who serves as the director of both the Brownsville Recreation Center and the Brownsville Partnership.

Rep. Towns will be holding a prayer service for the families of the victims of Haiti’s earthquake on Sunday, January 24, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. at Beraca Baptist Church, located at 9602 Flatlands Avenue in Brooklyn. In his role as Chairman of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Rep. Towns is also making preparations to lead a congressional delegation to Haiti to investigate the effectiveness of the State Department’s response to the earthquake.

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