Haiti quake 'felt' in West Michigan

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - There are people from West Michigan among the 3 million affected by the earthquake in Haiti, many of them contacting 24 Hour News 8.

Mallery Thurlow is a Cornerstone University graduate working with children through the Haiti Foundation Against Poverty.

She is posting updates on her Facebook page, reading, "PRAY FOR HAITI...the guest house is flat, the orphanage is flat, Gertrude and Frentz are alive. Naika is bleeding. I can't find Kelencia or any of our other children. Tijean is missing. I will keep posting updates. children are screaming and crying in the background."

Later, she updated, including a photo of a little girl. "...Misslyne has been found. Her youngest, my goddaughter, is bleeding from her head. Migvee, the middle child, (1 1/2 yrs) pictured is dead. Guerlick, the oldest boy (3 yrs) is also bleeding and in critical condition..."

Doug Porritt of Rays of Hope for Haiti is trying to locate members of his team in the heart of the destruction in Haiti. He has been on the phone since news of the disaster hit Tuesday afternoon. Communication is spotty but he has learned some of his staff are all right, others are still missing. He wrote in a news letter, "We are worried about these dear friends of Rays of Hope for Haiti and if anyone has any word on the situation or condition please contact me..."

Susan Hansen told 24 Hour News 8 she has been worried about two friends on a mission trip. They are from her congregation at Faith United Methodist Church in Edmore -- a recent Montabella High School graduate and the owner of a Blanchard blueberry farm. She confirmed the 2010 Haiti Team is all right, stationed in Jeremie, some distance from the earthquake epicenter, which was just 10 miles from the capital of Port-au-Prince.

Pastor Steve Igo of Cedar Presbyterian Church in Hudsonville is in Haiti right now. He is 15 miles north of where the quake struck, and is in contact with other missionaries right in the heart of the devastation. He fears the death toll will be severe.

"We're hearing many, many - could be thousands. They're overwhelmed by the sheer quantity. They're just lots of structures damaged, collapsing upon people, either trapping them, injuring or killing them."

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Haiti earthquake supplies

Nonperishable food items including beans, rice, canned goods, cooking oil, powdered milk, canned milk, peanut butter, salt, over-the-counter medical supplies, bandages, wraps, sheets, blankets, toothbrushes, toothpaste, washcloths and towels

Can be dropped off at --
446 Grandville Ave., loading dock #6, in Grand Rapids
Call (616) 206-7948 for more information

Monetary donations can also be dropped off at the site (please call the number; don't leave money at the dock

Or mail the donations to --

Rays of Hope for Haiti
946 Burton SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49507

Make tax-deductible checks payable to Rays of Hope for Haiti

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American Red Cross is accepting donations for the earthquake victims

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On the Net:

Haiti Foundation Against Poverty

Rays of Hope for Haiti