Local missionaries, organizations looking to Haiti victims
By Staff
Nathan Strickland
Russellville natives Andy and Pat Richardson felt a shockwave of emotions when they heard the news that an earthquake rocked the country of Haiti this week.
The Richardsons are involved in international missions work, traveling to poverty stricken countries and lending a helping hand to those who are less fortunate.
Haiti has become one of the Richardsons’ most beloved places to provide help.
The Global Outreach ministry has guest quarters at their compound where volunteers can go and stay while helping out with different ministries going on throughout the country. Andy Richardson said he has spoken to friends who were there during the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that shook the country.
Andy said the most damage occurred at a flourmill about a mile from the compound.
Global Outreach’s burn clinic played a key role in helping the Haitian people during this natural disaster.
The Richardsons have offered to go back to Haiti to provide extra help, but the need right now is for medical personnel.
Franklin County residents are coming together to support The Haiti Emergency Relief Organization, or HERO, and Trinity United Methodist Church groups out of Huntsville in their efforts to aid the Haitian people in their time of need.
Rev. Charles A. Dale, Beverly Little and Mildred Finch have joined together to help support the cause.
If anyone would like to donate to this effort, contact Rev. Charles A. Dale at 331-2908.
For more information about Global Outreach Ministries and on how to donate to their cause visit www.globaloutreach.org.
Russellville resident Tom McKnight recently returned from the country of Ghana, where he worked with the United Nations World Food Program. His experience with that organization has allowed him to see the need of support throughout the world, especially now in Haiti.
He said donations to that program can be made by visiting www.wfp.org/donate/haiti.