Belizeans collect clothing, food & cash for Honduras
As a way of giving thanks for Belize’s delivery from the ravages of Hurricane Mitch a number of churches and other organizations are mobilizing their members to assist neighboring Honduras. This evening in Belmopan, the town where most Belizeans took refuge during the threat, there will be a meeting for the team spearheading operation “Belize Mercy,” a collaborative effort between My Refuge Christian Radio, Jubilee Fellowship in Roaring Creek, Youth With a Mission and other churches and groups. Belize Mercy is collecting donations of food and other relief supplies to take to Honduras this Saturday. According to Scott Stirm of Jubilee Fellowship, fifty Belizean volunteers will fly into La Ceiba, team up with the Red Cross and military and be airlifted to the areas of greatest need. Stirm says the operation will last for two weeks and then another team will be rotated in.
Residents of the northern districts also got into the act today by tuning in to a radiothon on Estereo Tu Y Yo held at the Central Park. General Manager Domingo Pott told News Five that by three p.m. two thousand dollars cash had been pledged by listeners and they had collected two tons of clothing. Several B.D.F. trucks headed out to the villages this afternoon to pick up donations from as far north as San Pedro and Cristo Rey villages. The items will then be brought down to Belize City tomorrow to be given to the Central American embassies. Estereo Tu Y Yo says they would like to thank the people of the north for their generosity.
The Salvation Army also announced today that they have received donations of new and used clothing valued at twelve thousand dollars from the Belize business community. The apparel was given to Honduran Ambassador Oscar Bueso. The Salvation Army is asking anyone who would like to make a financial contribution to do so at their Belize Bank account number 500-9313. Captain Stanley Griffin told News Five the relief effort is being coordinated through their regional headquarters in Costa Rica and the London office. The Belize District Grand Lodge number four and Grand Chapter number two will also assist hurricane victims in collaboration with Brother Roy Cumberbach who left for Honduras today to assess the situation, particularly in Roatan. Father Roy Neal of St. John’s Cathedral is collecting cash or other items and a special Thanksgiving Service is being held this Sunday. All Anglican churches are invited to participate by sending their donations to the cathedral. If your church, school, workplace or other organization is also lending a hand contact News Five so that we can let people know how they can help.
