Rep. Alcee L. Hastings and Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen Attended Events Hosted by Florida Relief Organizations
September 2, 2010, Washington, DC – On August 26, the Turkish Coalition of America donated $50,000 to Haiti relief efforts to be distributed by Cross International, a charity located in Pompano Beach, and Operation Helping Hands, a charitable partnership between the United Way of Miami-Dade and The Miami Herald / el Nuevo Herald.
The ceremony was attended by Rep. Alcee Hastings and Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, TCA President Lincoln McCurdy and the presidents of Cross International and Operation Helping Hands. Congressman Hastings recognized TCA for the donation: “I commend the Turkish Coalition of America for their generous donation to Cross International,” said Congressman Alcee L. Hastings. “This donation will undoubtedly help the people of Haiti in their daily struggles for survival as they rebuild their country.”
Cross International is nonprofit organization located in Pompano Beach, Florida and has been instrumental in the relief and rebuilding efforts in Haiti. “I would like to express my great appreciation to the Turkish Coalition of America for its wonderful contribution to help the victims of the earthquake in Haiti,” said Jim Cavnar, President of Cross International. “The funds will be used to support rebuilding of schools and other infrastructure.”
Another organization to receive a TCA grant was Operation Helping Hands, a charity located in Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen’s district. “This generous contribution from our friends at the Turkish Coalition for America will go a long way in helping earthquake-ravaged Haiti," said Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen, speaking at the event. "It is through efforts such as this, along with government-sponsored programs, that we can help the hardworking Haitian people lift themselves from the devastation wrought by this calamity. Haiti has lived through many turbulent moments throughout its history, and with the help of organizations such as this, she will rise once more.”
“We are grateful to the Turkish Coalition of America for reaching out to our Haitian neighbors through Operation Helping Hands,” Harve A. Mogul, president and CEO, United Way of Miami-Dade, said. "Through our strong partnerships with nonprofit organizations currently working on the ground in Haiti, these funds will assist the island through the long and difficult process of rebuilding and recovering.”
“Having been struck by a catastrophic earthquake in 1999, the people of Turkey and Turkish Americans know all too well the impact of natural disasters,” said G. Lincoln McCurdy, President of TCA. “We hope that this grant will both establish a lasting bond between Turkish Americans and the people of Haiti; as well as send a message to the public that Haiti is still in dire need for relief efforts like those of Cross International and Operation Helping Hands.”
