Help Pittsburgh sisters devastated by Haiti earthquake
By The Klaxon Staff / inquiries@theklaxon.com / 01.18.2010
Updated on: 01.19.10 at 8:17 am
facebook.com
Via Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Plane carrying 53 orphans expected by 9:15 a.m.
via Diana Boni’s twitter:
“Message from Jamie: We are all safe at guest house. phones only working for texts”
Update from the McMutrie family by Virginia Montanez on her website, That’s Church:
“I have just heard from the McMutrie family, and I was asked to pass this on to you:
“Please stay tuned. Things are progressing, but still very fluid. We will update Virginia with information as soon as it is appropriate, and she will pass it along to you. Thank you so much for all of your support and please keep Jamie, Ali and all of the children in your thoughts.”
And I promise that I will continue doing exactly what the McMutrie family asks me to do.
I hope to share good news soon.”
Virginia also adds:
“The family also asks me to remind you that while monetary donations can still be made via the button there on the sidebar, at this time, temporarily, they cannot accept any more donations for the previously requested clothing and supplies at the location on the North Side. We will update you when that changes.
Thanks so much.”
Update from KDKA-TV and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
(via Post-Gazette) A plane carrying a medical team from UPMC left Pittsburgh for Haiti today, and it is expected to return tonight with 61 orphans from a facility run by two sisters from Ben Avon.
KDKA-TV reported that U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire, the governor’s office, the State Department and UPMC had arranged the flight, which was expected to arrive in Haiti late this afternoon.
(via KDKA) The children could arrive as early as this evening and they will be taken immediately to Children’s Hospital.
Watch the KDKA news report here.
From the news report by Andy Sheehan and KDKA:
Although no one on the mission would comment, but in addition to Congressman Altmire the passengers include 10 physicians and nurses from UPMC, 8 workers and members of the McMutrie family.
Via Ali Pace, wife of Chad McMutrie, from her Facebook page, informed readers:
“just wanted to give you guys a little update.
i’m sure you all know that the girls were on CNN (Anderson Cooper) last night. even though the show was on at night, they talked to the girls much much much earlier in the day. since then the babies have started to get very sick. the girls have started to get sick. the fact that CNN has found and interviewed them, unfortunately, doesn’t mean much. CNN couldn’t bring them water and supplies. they don’t have any to give. while being on CNN does get the word out and gives them great media coverage, it doesn’t mean they are safe. or ok.
so many of you have offered up planes. who knew getting a private plane was this easy? as of right now, the proper people at the highest levels are working on it. if we need one, we’ll definitely let you know. trust me. at this time, i think we’ve got it covered.
so many of you are offering up going to haiti on this private plane. no one is needed at this time. if we need more we’ll definitely let you know.
the thing everyone needs to understand is that it’s not just as easy as getting a private jet and sending some local heroes. i really really really (really) wish that it was. that would be fairly easy. there is SO much red tape and legal issues that we have to go through. that we are going through. we have the most qualified people in the world offering to go down and save them, but they can’t get in the country right now.”
[Original Post] Help the McMutrie sisters and the orphans of Bresma Orphanage in Haiti. View their Facebook page here. Supporters are topping 10,000. Jamie McMutrie-Heckman and Ali McMutrie, of Pittsburgh, ran the orphanage for years until the Jan. 12 earthquake destroyed the area.Text messages from the girls were sent from a stranger’s Blackberry:
“Our housé is falling b two also. Adoptions stoppéd five yrs at least. We are living in yard no food water bank stores phone mostly. Only idéa is if u no anyoné important who can give réfugee status to all thé bresma u.s. kids. We trùly cant keep babys alive water contaminated. This is our only hope -only private planes allowed. We know its cràzy but can évryone come togethér and find a person to help us like obama? Thé kids r almost américan and will have homes. We try to call all day and cant. Sending this from a strangers blackberry.”
“i want to make sûre évryoné ùnderstands we cant stay inhaiti and thé kids will not live if théy stay. Riots will start within two days.”
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