Police AssociAtion of novA scotiA 39 Haiti is for whom the bridge ‘tolls’ NEW GLASGOW - The urge to help Haiti keeps growing, especially in light of news that another earthquake struck the battered island on Wednesday morning. The Town of New Glasgow and the Weeks hockey organization had already risen to the challenge with plans to hold a voluntary toll on the George Street Bridge on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Proceeds will go to the Haiti Relief Fund administered by the Canadian Red Cross. The Weeks Jr. A Crushers and the Weeks Major Midgets have volunteered their time to assist with the collection, supported by the New Glasgow Police Service. New Glasgow Mayor Barrie MacMillan said the magnitude of the devastation experienced by the people and the country of Haiti warrants the decision. "It is a natural disaster of unimaginable proportions and we wanted to do something that would enable our community to reach out to the people of Haiti. It will take a global effort to help Haiti rebuild and we wanted to demonstrate our concern as global citizens. We wanted to come together as a community to help." Councillor Terry Curley, who is also manager of operations for the Weeks hockey organizations, said this is a way we all can contribute. "This is an opportunity for everyone to help with whatever amount they can afford. Every cent matters. People are looking for a way to help and this provides that medium. In the grander scheme of things, we really are a global village and this is a way to extend a helping hand." This is the second time known in recent history of a toll on the bridge. The first was back in 2004 as a way to raise funds for the Indian Ocean tsunami relief efforts. "It was quite significant," New Glasgow’s marketing and communications director Kim Dickson said. "They raised something like $15,000. It was very effective." Dickson said the impact of the first quake, a magnitude 7.0 jolt that struck the island last Wednesday, is shocking when you consider it in terms of Pictou County. Early reports put the death toll at 50,000 and that could climb much, much higher. "Fifty thousand is a similar population to our county - it would be as if Pictou County disappeared and suddenly we were all gone. And that was just the beginning of the desolation, damage and ruin experienced by Haiti. A loss of this enormity is unthinkable." "The support from Nova Scotians to Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti has been tremendous. We want to thank the Town of New Glasgow for this initiative to raise funds to help people affected by this devastating earthquake," said Ismael Aquino, regional director of the Canadian Red Cross in Nova Scotia. The Pictou County Council of Churches is also lending a hand to Haiti with a service of hope on Sunday, Jan. 24, at Sharon St. John United Church in Stellarton at 7 p.m. Donations will also be accepted at that time. A Haitian relief concert is being planned for Glasgow Square on Saturday, Jan. 30, from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Originally published January 21, 2010 - The News - By Ray Burns On Saturday, anyone crossing the George Street Bridge from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. can make a donation to Haiti relief though a voluntary toll on the bridge. The toll is a joint effort between the Town of New Glasgow, Weeks hockey organization and the New Glasgow Police Service. Shown here from left are: Const. Ken MacDonald, New Glasgow Police Service; Kim Dickson, marketing and communications director for New Glasgow and Mayor Barrie MacMillan. Ray Burns - The News UPDATE: 2010 Haiti earthquake An estimated three million people were affected by the quake; the Haitian government reported that an estimated 230,000 people have died, 300,000 injured and 1,000,000 made homeless. They also estimated that 250,000 residences and 30,000 commercial buildings had collapsed or were severely damaged. Source: Wikipedia.org
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