From AANews: DOWNEY ORGANIZING AID FOR HAITIAN FREETHINKERS

Last year, I helped a few students develop a group of Freethnkers
in Haiti by providing bylaws, examples of events and suggested
PR efforts.

It took almost three weeks to reach the president of the group,
Billy Almoza.

Yesterday, I heard from Billy and another member of the student
group "Free Thinkers of Haiti." This is a chance to make a direct
difference with outreach efforts.

I have an address for sending items such as shoes, clothes,
etc. We can do a drive by distributing the information. I also have
an address for sending money (Western Union). Billy's group is
desperate for a camera, tape recorder, computer, books and other
office supplies, but right now he is living in his parents home
in a small city -- Les Cayes. Everything in the Port-au-Prince,
where he attended school is destroyed.

Billy wants to document everything and send photos and audio stories
to me. I have volunteered to make a slide show of the situation
in Haiti. I imagine us helping a group directly and showing real
results. We can either send for a representative from Haiti to attend
the AA conference or I can make the presentation to garner more
donations. If the press attends, it will also help for them to know
how we atheists responded and that there are atheists/freethinkers
in Haiti.

We should not be outdone by the Christians who are bragging
constantly about what they are doing. Recently, a Christian group --
Faith Comes By Hearing, the world's foremost Audio Bible ministry
responded to this crisis by providing solar-powered audio Bibles
in Haitian Creole!

How do you want to proceed now?

The group is in need of items to distribute to their fellow citizens
who are destitute, hungry, homeless and without basis necessities
such as clothing and shoes (any size would be appreciated).

Donations can be sent to:

Billy Almoza
81 Hydraulique
LES CAYES, HAITI

The group is also in need of a computer, camera and equipment to
run an office. Billy's birthplace, Les Cayes is filled with needy
people who fled Port-au-Prince. They are living in tent cities
set up in parks and on pubic sidewalks. Money donations can be
sent to Billy through Western Union offices.

<http://www.westernunion.com/info/selectCountry.asp>

Billy is trustworthy and will carry through with all promises to
help his fellow citizens. He stated:

"One more thing, as they are people who are lying down on beds
at hospital .Some of them have broken arms, legs knees shoulders
that does have any one to help with prescription and to buy
medications. So that would be very good to help those ones. I would
like to know if you share this idea, What intended is to help them
pay some medication .Like: collected every medication receipt bought
including the patient names individually and send them to you so
you can give a report to the people who have giving money to help."

Please state your name and organization so that Billy will know
that atheists in America can be counted on to support him in
various ways.

-- Margaret Downey
downey1@downey1.cnc.net