By Connor Adams Sheets
Flushing resident Jack Dossous, a native of Haiti, said last Thursday with tears in his eyes that he did not know where his wife, 20- and 27-year-old daughters and 17-year-old son, who were in the island at the time of the quake, were and had not been in touch with them since the temblor struck.
“It’s no good, no good, no good,” he said, at a Thursday press conference attended by a variety of Queens leaders. “I don’t know what happened. I can’t get through.”
Dossous’s family had yet to be located as of Tuesday morning, according to state Assemblywoman Grace Meng (D-Flushing).
“The Red Cross has been very helpful, but so far he has not heard from them,” she said Tuesday.
Last Thursday’s event brought Dossous, Queens elected officials, and community and religious leaders together in a show of solidarity with the Haitian community after the earthquake decimated Port-au-Prince and neighboring areas in the island last week.
At the event, which was organized by Meng and held in her Queens Crossing office, the leaders pledged their shared support for victims and Queens residents with family in the devastated island nation.
They also discussed the best ways for concerned citizens to help with the rescue effort and announced steps they and their offices would take to assist those looking to do so.
City Councilman Peter Koo (R-Flushing) said he had already donated money to the American Red Cross and said people should move quickly to make donations to valid charities and aid organizations. He also suggested that people donate money via text message, which he and several of the other leaders proceeded to do during the event.
“Together we urge our community people to donate as much as possible to help the people of Haiti as soon as possible because time is of the essence,” he said.
The event also drew state Sen. Toby Stavisky (D-Whitestone), Assemblyman Jeffrion Aubry (D-Corona), Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley (D-Middle Village), and community leaders from service groups and religious institutions.
Stavisky spoke about her support of the Haitian people, but focused much of her remarks on the practicalities of donating to the cause and finding loved ones.
“We want to express our solidarity with the people of Haiti. We want to help. The state Senate set up a registry for New Yorkers to help track people and relatives living in Haiti,” she said. “We request that you send money, not clothing or food, because that is what is needed.”
Sonia Martinez, director of community development for the Queens area office of the American Red Cross, expanded on Stavisky’s remarks, recommending that people donate to the American Red Cross International Relief Fund.
To donate, she said concerned New Yorkers should call 1-800-763-2767 or visit nyredcross.org. Text HAITI to 90999 to have $10 added to their cell phone bill, which will be automatically donated to the Red Cross.
“It’s a terrible tragedy and we appreciate any help you can give,” Martinez said. “There are many, many ways of getting involved.”
Reach reporter Connor Adams Sheets by e-mail at csheets@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 138.
