By Captain Scott Spurr

            Personnel from 14 Wing Greenwood dipped into their wallets on Friday, January 29, 2010 to raise money for the relief effort in Haiti.  The boot drive (using boots lent by the Fire Department) was organized by Major Luce Gilbert, (the Wing’s Combined Charities Chairman) early last week and members of the Combined Charities Committee manned the Wing’s gates with boots in order to collect money from members from 6:45 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.  The military police were also on hand to assist and direct traffic.

            What made this event even more remarkable was the fact that it was done during a raging blizzard!  When all was said and done, personnel from the Wing raised over $3,000.00 for Haiti which was quite an accomplishment under the circumstances.  One imaginative soul even donated some real boots for the BOOT DRIVE !

            Haiti was hit by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake on January 12 of this year which caused wide spread devastation that killed hundreds of thousands of people and left millions homeless.  It was the worst earthquake to hit the region in over 100 years. The international community has responded swiftly to the crisis with military personnel and aid in order to try and stabilize the situation.

            The international relief effort has requested people from around the world not to send clothing, etc, but to donate money instead to the various charity organizations.  Enclosed is a link from the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada for anyone wishing to make a donation:  http://www.international.gc.ca/humanitarian-humanitaire/canadians_help-aide_canadien.aspx?lang=eng#organizations

            The Wing would like to extend a big “thank you” to the Wing Fire Chief, Chief Warrant Officer Ochitwa for the boots and Master Warrant Officer Chubbs and the military police for their assistance and finally to the personnel of the Base for their tremendous generosity!