timkatec.org

December 7, 2004

Dear "Friends of Timkatec in Haiti":

This is the Christmas Season, a time to share our good fortune with those less fortunate than ourselves. We are asking you to help the orphaned children at Timkatec in Haiti.

It has been a difficult in Central Florida since we last communicated. Three hurricanes in two months caused enormous damage. No electricity, water and telephone/fax/email etc. for about weeks in August and September and then the several weeks cleanup. Hence my delay in getting back to those who got the July mailing.

In Haiti were much worse; immeasurably so. We were beneficiaries of a huge US rescue operation, while the poor people of Haiti struggled to regain the barest minimum of basic services.

Hurricane Jeanne in September alone took 2000 lives in Haiti, injured thousands, and tens of thousands lost their homes. The entire infrastructure of the island was virtually erased. As you will note from The Catholic Relief Services letter on our website, movement of staff and relief supplies were almost brought to a standstill. In addition to the utter devastation and loss of life, armed hoodlums made it extremely dangerous to distribute relief. In these dangerous conditions, CRS still managed to help their constituents.

Timkatec was spared the tremendous damage and loss of life of Gonaives, but their operation was severely impacted. It has been very difficult to contact Father Simon the Director, a couple of phone conversations, and last week an email. Fathers' positive attitude under these tremendous pressures is extraordinary. Truly a man of faith with a mission.

I am tremendously grateful to all who contributed over $20,000; CRS matched with $15,000, a total of $35,528. All Souls Church in Sanford contributed almost $6000. Perhaps your place of worship might also wish to contribute. CRS have now finalized plans for the construction of the Timkatec training facilities (see the plans on www.timkatec.org ) and advised me that they will now pay $57,000, an additional $22,000, the entire construction cost of the facility.

"The Friends of Timkatec" plan to raise sufficient funds for essential supplies and instructors salaries for three years. That will be about $20,000 per annum to give hundreds of children a chance to make a new life.

Please continue your tremendous support for this marvelous cause. Mike Spinelli says,"teach them to fish" and this is Father Simon's philosophy, spelled out on the website. To help these children to forget their abandonment on the streets, to regain their sense of belonging, to learn a trade and to become proud members of their society.

Please help Timkatec's mission by making a tax free donation (for those in the USA) to help those least able to help themselves." The friends " are pledged to continue to organize this effort on Timkatec's behalf in close cooperation with the CRS team in Haiti. Donation instructions are at www.timkatec.org

Best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year

Patrick J. O'Shea, Founder
Mike Spinelli, Co-Founder
Friends of Timkatec in America

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