The volume of support from SEIU members inquiring how they can help, volunteering their time, money and services following the tragedy in Haiti has been truly remarkable. In recent days, a truly humbling outpouring of monetary support from 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, who announced they were donating $1 million to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF for Haiti relief.
1199SEIU has tens of thousands of Haitians and Haitian-American members, and union members say they hope their donations will inspire others to dig deep. "I don't think the images we see on TV explain exactly what's going on down there, it's much worse when you see it with your own two eyes because emotion is flowing through your body, it could've been you , a brother, a sister, or even your own child," said 1199SEIU member Stanley Lauradin. "Knowing that many 1199 members are of Haitian descent and have family members in and around Port-au-Prince makes this contribution and the efforts of the union that much more heartfelt," said Caryl Stern, CEO and President of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF.
Along with $1 million, the union has also launched www.WeCareForHaiti.org and a special toll free Haiti relief hotline number at 1-877-875-6561. Video from the donation announcement here, and more coverage at NY1 News & Crains NY.
