As you know, on January 12, 2010 a natural calamity struck Haiti (the poorest county in the Western Hemisphere) again with a 7.0 magnitude earthquake destroying the capital city of Port-au-Prince and bringing untold heart wrenching misery, death and destruction to the almost 3 million people there. In our effort to alleviate the sufferings of the distraught nation in a very small way and contributing our share of giving to common humanity, the Greater Atlanta Tamil Sangam (GATS) is soliciting generous donations from our members and friends to assist in this relief effort. We have identified two non-profit organizations based in Atlanta, which are poised and capable of delivering much needed help on an immediate and long-term basis because the road to recover is going to be very hard and long. They are MedShare International (http://www.medshare.org/) and the Habitat for Humanity (http://www.habitat.org/).

The money collected by our Sangam during the Pongal function (Jan 16, 2010) and until Jan 23, 2010 will be donated to MedShare International. In efforts to help meet the dire medical needs, MedShare is raising $50,000 and our contributions will tremendously help MedShare and meet its goal of sending life-saving medical supplies to Haiti. In the past, GATS members have volunteered in MedShare, sorting and packing medical supplies for shipment to developing countries.

Funds collected after Jan 23, 2010 will be donated to the Habitat for Humanity to support shelters and affordable homes.

In addition, please note that currently there is a great need for basic first aid supplies, sutures, oxygen masks, surgical steel instruments like dressing and trauma scissors, as well as orthopedic equipment such as splints and backboards. If you are working in a medical establishment/hospital, please contact MedShare (770-323-5858) or GATS members identified below for pick up/drop off at MedShare.

Please open your heart and donate generously at this hour of great need!

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