Haitian Families First Needs Formula
It has been a few years since two young Pittsburghers found themselves trapped in the midst of a sea of desperation. Their birth certificates said they were babies themselves, but they weren't because they were responsible for the lives of dozens of children. There are stories that haven't been told, but the one that was told was that Jamie and Ali McMutrie did everything they could to save the lives of dozens of Haitian children following the devastating earthquake in early 2010.
Some people would have moved on after watching their orphanage tumble to the ground. Some would have moved on after seeing each of the kids in their care find new homes. Some would have moved on after the devastation in Haiti following the earthquake left the country in an absolutely disastrous state.
Jamie and Ali aren't some people.
Instead of giving themselves a pat on the back, returning to Pittsburgh, and never looking back, Jamie and Ali made the decision to keep working. BRESMA, the orphanage they ran, is no more, but what they are doing now is so much more powerful. Haitian Families First is changing lives one child at a time.
The focus of Haitian Families First is to assess family situations and provide the tools needed to keep that family intact. Maybe it's helping pay for medical expenses. Maybe it's paying for and enrolling a child in school. Maybe it's something as simple as baby formula.
What Jamie and Ali are doing is keeping families together and giving them the tools they need to thrive.
And you can help.
Haitian Families First is in desperate need of formula. There are times when breastfeeding just doesn't work. If what is needed to save a child's life is formula, you better believe I'm going to do what I can to help.
I'm currently trying to find a corporate sponsor that can provide formula to Haitian Families First. It's cheaper to send it to Haiti than it is to buy it there, and a corporate sponsor would be a fantastic long-term solution. However, my efforts to make a connection happen have been slow-going, so I need YOUR help.
1. If you know a company that might be able to provide formula, please let me know in the comments or send me an email (burghbaby at gmail dot com). It could be a manufacturer, or even a store that sells formula.
2. If you have even one can of formula sitting around in your house not being used, please let me know in the comments or send me an email (burghbaby at gmail dot com). I will contact you via email with an address where you can send that formula and arrangements will be made to get it delivered to Haiti.
3. If you would rather make a monetary donation, you can become a formula sponsor or give a one-time donation. Every little bit helps.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Reader Comments (11)
I think I have some of those premade little bottles here. Can I ship them?
I would like to suggest that readers could sign up at Gerber, Enfamil and Similac Websites. If they can register at these sites, the companies will send them trial size cans of formula (usually 2 cans of newborn, but I think you can choose) free-of-charge along with $5-$10 coupons. You will receive email correspondence, but I found the companies were very good about removing you from their mailing lists promptly.
I have a can of formula I'd like to send. It was sent home with us from the hospital, and for some reason I couldn't bring myself to throw away a perfectly good can of formula.
check with various pediatric offices. They get free formula all of the time from various companies. They might be able to give you their contact person and that way you have a real perosn on the phone that can either help you out or direct you to the perosn you need to speak with in that orginization.
Good luck!
Jackie
I will keep my eyes peeled for sources of formula.
As a side note, I find it amazing that God keeps bringing Haiti, particularly causes supporting Haitian children, to my attention. One of my good friends from HS completed a mission trip to a Haitian orphanage this past Spring. Another friend just organized a 5K to raise money to send to Haiti, you write this post, and... the kicker (for me), my husband is leaving way too soon (in my opinion) to go on a 10 day mission trip to help rebuild a Haitian orphanage that was partially destroyed during the earthquake. I feel like this must be more than coincidence...
I don't use formula, but I had amassed quite a stockpile from before ODS was born (3 1/2 years ago). It's easy to do with formula samples - some companies send you small cans, which are several days to a weeks' worth for small infants. I know Sam's Club, Walmart, and Costco have them all the time on their sites. Maybe have a bunch of Pghers sign up for samples (I would, but I'm too far away to make it worthwhile). It took me all of maybe 5 mins to sign up from different places.
I have a couple cans of formula we won't be using. Please let me know the details, and I'll be happy to donate them.
I have just come our church's food bank. we have about 15 unopened cans i can send. No one takes them and i would love to see them get used as opposed to expire. We were just discussing what to do with them, and then i read your post. Please email me an address, I will get them out the beginning of next week. No baby should ever be hungry. Thank you for reminding me that the world s blessed with people like you.
kim
I may be going to Haiti this summer (for psychology stuff) and I thought of you! So glad you posted this. Thanks for the info!
crazy world we live in that it's cheaper to send the formula to Haiti than it is to buy it there
I have some formula single-serve pouches I can gladly send.