ESSEX -- Haiti is getting some much needed help from here at home after Hurricane Matthew rampaged through island nation.
In Essex, the outfit known as Essex Boat Works is teaming up with the organization called the International Rescue Group. Both groups are working together to take donations to fill a 56-foot sailboat called the Tandemeer with supplies. "They are bringing essential goods," said Diana Gregory, the controller at Essex Boat Works. "Baby food, aspirin, wipes, tarps, they need the basic goods, they were wiped out."
Essex Boat Works has reached out to the community via word of mouth and social media to get the public to donate goods and cash. Stacey Riccardi, who heard about the charitable efforts to help the Haitian hurricane victims drove a car load of goods to the dock from her home in Hamden. "It takes a village to help a village," she said.
The Tamdemeer is no stranger to Haiti, visiting the island six times in the past six years on sailing missions of mercy. Gregory says she expects the boat will arrive in Haiti in about three weeks. To find out more or to donate to the cause click here.
