Ed Note: This supplements a posting from earlier in the day that includes related photos and audio.

This afternoon, Governor de Jongh and Senate President Louis Patrick Hill convened a meeting of the U.S. Virgin Islands-Haiti Relief Effort at Government House, St. Thomas. The meeting was jointly called to share information and review the continued coordination of the territory’s relief effort in Haiti. Leaders from various V.I. Government department and agencies attended the briefing, along with representatives from numerous private and non-profit organizations. A similar meeting is being planned for St. Croix and will be announced.

The Chief Executive and Senate President acknowledged the importance of coordinating a community-based support effort for both the short and long-term in Haiti, noting, 

“The support shown for our Haitian brothers and sisters throughout the territory is a shining example of the strength of this community to assist others in their time of need. Through this effort we are coordinating our collective available resources, including goods, funds, and talent to respond to this crisis with a unified front and with the goal of saving lives in the short term and preserving a quality of life in Haiti for the long-term.”

During the meeting, Government House and Legislature points of contact David Edgecombe and Colette Monroe reiterated the drop off point locations in the territory, including: The Reichhold Center for the Arts, the Democratic Party Leadership Council headquarters in Frenchtown, and at the East End Plaza in Red Hook, St. Thomas. The St. John drop off site is located at the former St. John Tax Assessor’s Office at The Battery in Cruz Bay. The St. Croix locations will be soon announced. 

Colonel Elton Lewis of the Virgin Islands National Guard provided an update on the status of the VING, noting, “

We will be going to Haiti—it’s just a matter of when. Once we receive our orders from the National Guard Bureau, we will execute those orders, and we will deploy to Haiti.” Colonel Lewis indicated that the V.I. National Guard has two programs in place to assist the flow of resources to Haiti, including the Denton Program and the Funded Transportation Program. An airlift strategy is currently in the works, and storage space has been offered at the V.I. National Guard for donated goods in advance of their shipment to Haiti.

Tourism Commissioner Beverly Nicholson Doty provided an update on the online resources available to Virgin Islanders to donate monies towards the relief effort, noting the development of a web site that will go live later this week. 

“Recognizing the power of the Internet, this online effort will be coordinated with the approximately 6,000 ‘Friends of the Virgin Islands’ at the Facebook web site. Donations through the new site will be made through Pay-Pal, which forwards to the already created territorial account for the Virgin Islands-Haiti relief effort at Banco Popular de Puerto Rico.” 

Commissioner Nicholson Doty advised further that funds donated to the site will be administered by the St. Croix Foundation. In addition, individuals or organizations may donate monetary contributions to the relief effort by visiting any Banco Popular bank branch and making deposits to Account 190-151706.

Rotary Club Presidents offered to assist the relief effort by sorting donated items at one of the St. Thomas storage sites this weekend and moving forward. This Saturday, January 23rd from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Rotary members will be sorting goods and supplies at the Leeward Island Management Warehouse, formerly Bellows International, across from Ulla Muller Elementary School. Donations of non-perishable food, clothing, and medical supplies may be dropped off in boxes for sorting and transport to Haiti. 

Private citizens Carmen and Warren Partridge have already led a team of doctors, nurses, and ground staff to Haiti. The couple chartered a plane last Saturday, January 16th and is planning two flights a week for the next ten weeks. The Partridges advised that the collective efforts of their team are saving 40-50 lives per day, including 250-300 lives saved to date, as a result of bringing foods and performing 140 emergency surgeries. The Partridges are also reaching out to pharmaceutical companies for medical supplies and medicines, including antibiotics, pain relievers, and other wound-care medical supplies.

Numerous other private citizens have also organized chartered flights to Haiti, including Bruce and Mathilda Wilson, as well as Dr. Alfred O. Heath, to assist medical relief efforts in Port-au-Prince.

During the meeting, the Salvation Army, United Way, Red Cross, Reichhold Center for the Arts, Haitian Association of the Virgin Islands, Catholic Charities, Barbados Association, and the Schneider Regional Medical Center also provided updates as to efforts underway. Diageo, while not present at the meeting Thursday, has also committed to a large-scale supply airlift to assist Haiti. 

The Governor and Senate President also reiterated the ongoing plans to host a telethon on WTJX-TV Channel 12 on January 31st from 6:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight, with coverage from both island districts. “Special programming will be featured, including the latest updates from Haiti, and local celebrities will be making appearances during the fundraising drive. We look forward to this important event as we continue our efforts to support our Caribbean neighbors.” 

A music concert has also been organized by local musicians and the marine community on the grounds of Yacht Haven Grande, as scheduled for Sunday, January 23, 2010.

In closing, the Governor and Senate President thanked all the members of the community who have already contributed generously to the relief effort in Haiti. 

“We are delighted at the large-scale effort underway throughout the territory. The efforts to mobilize support have already saved lives, and we will continue to coordinate efforts so that the Virgin Islands may be as effective as possible in answering the call for assistance.”