Groups send aid and prayers to Haiti

A week after a devastating earthquake in Haiti killed countless people, aid from local Orange County groups is starting to make its way to the island.

Huntington Beach will hold a fundraiser lunch at Zach’s at Pier Plaza from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, said Councilman Joe Carchio. Zach’s will serve a pasta lunch and take donations for Haiti.

“Hopefully, we’ll raise the funds that we need to help in some small way to alleviate the pain,” Carchio said.

In addition to donations, volunteers are needed, Carchio said. Volunteers can contact the City Council office at (714) 536-5553.

Ethel Dwyer and Isaac L. Sowers middle schools are also holding fundraisers.

Huntington Beach churches are raising money for Haiti and donating to Samaritan’s Purse, an international Christian relief organization and the Catholic Relief Services. St. Bonaventure has received a stack of envelopes filled with donations, said adult education director Lynn Hearn.

“As Christian people, we just feel like it’s important to help our brothers and sisters in need,” Hearn said.

“We’re praying for the Haitian people to just let them know that they’re not alone,” said Michelle Rustad, a staff member at CrossPoint Baptist Church.

At First Christian Church, members were calling and asking how to help within hours of the earthquake, said Pastor Curtis Templeton.

“It’s heart-wrenching to know that a country that was already having a hard time was thrown into this situation,” Templeton said. “I feel like I need to do something . . . I feel like that’s how the whole world is feeling.”

Working with Hope Force International, doctors working with OperationOC are preparing to head to Haiti, said Ric Olsen, a member of OperationOC. For more information, go to www.rescuemission.org/opoc or call (714) 247-4362.