Sheppard chapel raises $5,200 for Haiti

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Valerie Hosea
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) --  The 82nd Training Wing chaplain's office staff raised more than $5,200 during several church services Jan. 17 here to assist the Haitian relief efforts.

People attending two Protestant and two Roman Catholic services donated the money to assist Haitian after a massive earthquake devastated the island nation Jan. 12.

"Our offerings will go to relief efforts in Haiti," said Chap. (Col.) Richard Hartwell, the 82nd TRW chaplain. "We are very thankful to be useful to people in need."

Chaplain Hartwell said Haiti needs money the most, and base people were more than happy to help.

"We simply asked if they could help these people who are suffering so severely, and that's what they did," he said. "The best way to help Haiti right now is to donate money because that's what they most desperately need, and our congregations gave so generously."

The chaplain's office will continue taking donations from base members as long as they are willing to give.

"At this point, we're still collecting donations and will be as long as they're needed," the chaplain said. "If ever there's a need for material things like food, water or blankets, we'll help with that as well."

Donations are going to the Samaritan's Purse or the Catholic Relief Services organizations.

"When God has given to us so generously," Chaplain Hartwell said, "how could we not help?"