February 17, 2010
CANDELARIA: NEW HAVEN FRIENDS OF HAITI READY FOR ACTION
Group will conduct first collection Saturday
State Representative Juan Candelaria (D-New Haven), together with New Haven Friends of Haiti, a group that came together after a series of organizational meetings led by Candelaria, will hold their first widespread community effort to raise money and non-perishable items for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti last month.
"After much organizing, we have finalized the details of our first event to collect money and goods for this humanitarian cause," Candelaria said. "We will be strategically positioned along the main streets of New Haven to cover a big geographical area to reach as many people as we possibly can."
Volunteers will be at the following locations, this Saturday, February 20th from 12 noon to 4:00pm:
New Haven Friends of Haiti will be properly identified with badges and t-shirts displaying the flag of Haiti to ensure that donations are legitimately given to support Haiti.
"I urge our community to come out and help us bring the relief that our brothers and sisters need," Candelaria stated. "Despite all the efforts that have been done to raise money, Haiti is still in great need of support. It will take many years to restore this country and anything that we do will have a significant impact."
New Haven Friends of Haiti is composed of local elected officials, business owners, social agencies, and community volunteers who have been working to organize events centered on providing much needed resources for the earthquake victims.
Juan Candelaria represents New Haven's 95th Assembly District. He is Deputy Majority Whip, and vice chair of the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee. He is also a member of the Appropriations and Regulations Review Committees.