RESCUE TASK FORCE ISSUES URGENT PLEA TO HELP VICTIMS OF HONDURAS EARTHQUAKE; ORPHANAGE SPONSORED BY EL CAJON GROUP HAS BEEN HARD HIT

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May 28, 2009 (El Cajon)--Rescue Task Force (RTF) and World Emergency Relief (WER) are responding to the 7.1 earthquake that struck Honduras at 2:20 AM this morning.
“The orphanage that WER-CA sponsors has sustained heavy damage to the dormitory,” Gary Becks at Rescue Task Force informed East County Magazine.

“Thirty-six of our orphans have been moved into the office and the dining area. Jose, our local warehouseman’s home was destroyed. He, his wife and baby are the first of probably many to move into our WER warehouse.” He added, “We need help!!! This is a 9-1-1 call for help from our friends in Honduras of so many years. We are responding on faith. Please, can you help send this team?”

Team Leader Andrea Stone will depart from Los Angeles tonight and fly to Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras where she will meet with RTF team member Jim McNeely, coming from Atlanta. Upon arrival they will meet with Honduras coordinator, Dr. Claudio Casas who is assembling a local team of Honduran doctors and volunteers – veterans of many RTF jungle missions.

RTF is in contact with colleagues at the Fire Department in Honduras; a combined team will coordinate disaster relief activities with them for help to isolated areas that the Fire department will not be able to immediately assist, said Beck, who asked for help from the public to support the relief efforts.

Donations may be made online at www.rescuetaskforce.org or mailed to: Rescue Task Force,
864 N. Second St. #340, El Cajon, CA 92021


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Update from Honduras 6/1

Gary Beck sent ECM this update from Rescue Task Force's team in Honduras after the quake:

HONDURAS:

Our Honduras Earthquake response team is busy. Upon arrival Andrea
and volunteers Tyson Oberndorfer and Jim McNeely were met by our
local volunteers. After a hard days travel to the north coast they
arrived at Puerto Cortes. Working with the local Fire Department they
were asked to assist over 100 people living in a city park where the
team was able to provide several days worth of food and much needed hygiene
supplies – and a lot of pampers and baby help. Andrea reports that
some of the suddenly homeless kids, now living in the park, went with
the team to do the shopping. In the store, the children led her straight
to Fruit Loops cereal and milk. Also led her by the hand to the toy
section and pointed out coloring books. As usual, the Rescue Task
Force supporters are providing emergency essentials – and…”Heart
Medicine” the simple items that comfort during times of disaster.

The Fire Department is delivering clean water to earthquake stricken
neighborhoods but individual distribution is a problem: RTF and WER
are On The Scene. We are providing five gallon buckets to the Bomberos
(Fire Fighters) to help them help the victims. Details and pictures
to follow when the team gets home and we get out the next newsletter.