Coalition’s relief effort to Haiti is paying off

Local group headed by Connor Group learns its aid endeavor helps some 2,000 Haitians.

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By Chelsey Levingston, Contributing Writer 2:37 PM Thursday, April 1, 2010

More than two months after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit Haiti on Jan. 12, a local partnership has learned its aid efforts helped more than 2,000 Haitians.

The Connor Group, a real estate company, along with Miami Valley Hospital, Dayton Children’s Hospital and Lifeline Christian Mission of Columbus, delivered 900 pounds of medical supplies targeted to children, said Larry Connor, Connor Group managing partner.

MVH and Dayton Children’s donated medical supplies, Lifeline missionaries distributed supplies in Haiti, and Connor Group provided transportation with its co-owned corporate plane, said Connor.

The medical aid filled the plane, he said. Feedback from Lifeline confirmed the medical supplies reached some 2,000 people.

“I’m not sure we made a difference. We provided transportation to the people who make a difference,” said Connor.

“We’re just happy we had the ability to provide the transportation there and back,” he added.

Lifeline contacted The Connor Group two days after the earthquake through Wright Brothers Airport where Connor Group’s plane is based, said Brett Hunter, Connor Group chief pilot. Lifeline wanted The Conner Group to transport missionaries to Haiti.

Following two flights to get Lifeline missionaries to Haiti, a third trip was made Feb. 5 to deliver the medical supplies, said Hunter and Connor.

“I find it much more rewarding than writing a check or throwing money at people,” said Hunter, who flies a Cessna Conquest for Connor Group.

Many corporate planes were part of aid efforts, Hunter said, adding the biggest challenge was logistics because the trips took 23 hours, air and ramp spaces were full and there was no fuel in Haiti.

The plane fueled up in Provodenciales of Caicos Islands.

Connor said Mary Boosalis, MVH president and CEO was contacted about donations.

MVH donated $3,500 worth of medical supplies to treat wounds and another $1,980 worth of medication to aid victims, according to a statement.

Also two nurses, a respiratory therapist and several doctors have traveled to Haiti to care for victims after the earthquake.

Contributing these aid efforts are part of MVH’s mission as healers.

Connor Group started in Dayton and has $1.3 billion assets in six markets. Lifeline has been in Haiti for more than 25 years, according to lifeline.org.

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