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Residents from near and far lined Sumter Street to give all they could to survivors of the devastating earthquake in Haiti.  Samaritan’s Feet, a Charlotte, North Carolina humanitarian non-profit organization, came to Columbia to gather all the items donated.  Folks came from as far as Raleigh, North Carolina.  Deborah Broyles, feeling overwhelmed by the devastation said, “It gives you a warm feeling inside that you were able to contribute to someone else’s disaster.”

Lots of warm hearts showed up to give.  Minister J. Carolyn High said her church’s clothing ministry was going to give their items to Goodwill until she heard about Samaritan’s Feet asking for all kinds of items. “I hadn’t taken them and I’m kind of glad I didn’t because they came. It was right on time,” she said.

Recognizing that South Carolina is on a fault line, High said it’s important to give back because an earthquake could hit the state. “We are truly blessed in this country because that could happen to us,” she stated.

She’s not the only one who feels that way.  Being able to give back makes everyone feel good.  High’s brother, Washington Brown, accompanied her to the donation event.  He said, “It’s a blessing to be able to help somebody.  It really is.”

Many individuals and businesses have already assisted Samaritan’s Feet by providing air transportation, money, food, water, shoes, socks and clothes. 

The first air shipment leaves January 25, 2010 from Greenville, SC and will arrive in Haiti on Monday.  This load will contain shoes, food, and medical supplies.  However, we still have plenty of space on the cargo plane and we need your help to fill it up!