On Tuesday, January 12th the country of Haiti, the poorest in our hemisphere, was struck by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake. The earthquake reduced many of Haiti’s homes, businesses and infrastructure to rubble.

Many of the members of Saint John’s business community are looking for and offering ways to assist the relief efforts in Haiti. The Saint John Board of Trade has received a communiqué from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce which stresses that “the fastest and most effective way [for businesses] to help is by donating money to the relief organizations that have the knowledge and infrastructure to deliver assistance where it’s needed most”. They also provide a link to the site the Government of Canada has prepared for businesses willing to help http://www.international.gc.ca/humanitarian-humanitaire/companies_help-aide_entreprises.aspx.

The Saint John Board of Trade has dedicated a page on its website to help members raise awareness of what their businesses are doing to raise funds for aid relief in Haiti. Activities being undertaken by members of all sizes from small businesses large companies are listed on this webpage. To have your activities included please contact info@sjboardoftrade.com.

Saint John for Haiti: Luncheon with Frank McKenna
The Saint John Board of Trade, in partnership with various members, is sponsoring this OneXOne event in support of Haiti disaster reielf on Wednesday, March 17 at the Delta Brunswick from 11:30am - 1:30 pm.
Join Frank McKenna as he speaks out about the ongoing disaster relief in Haiti, his experience with OneXOne in the earthquake-stricken country, and how Saint John can help make a difference in the long-term effort to rebuild.
For more information about this event click here.

Atlantic Persian Rugs
Atlantic Persian Rugs hosted a silent auction to support Haiti relief efforts on Thursday, February 4, auctioning off 5 rugs. $580 was raised to donate to the Red Cross.

Bell Aliant
·People are encouraged to visit Bell Aliant’s websites -  bellaliant.net and bellaliant.ca – to easily donate online to the Red Cross Haiti Earthquake Fund. 
·Bell Mobility customers can text in a donation of $5 to the Salvation Army by dialing 45678 from their mobile phones and typing the word “HAITI”. The amount will appear on the next bill.
Bell Aliant has also undertaken a number of other initiatives as well:
·Have donated long distance calling cards to Université de Moncton students with family in Haiti
·Satellite phones were given to Canadian Navy personnel in Halifax on the ships that were deployed Thursday
·Bell Aliant made an immediate $25,000 donation to the Red Cross Haiti Earthquake Fund on Thursday
·The Bell Aliant Pioneers in Newfoundland and Labrador are matching up to $10k of member donations
·Bell Aliant’s President and CEO is encouraging all employees to support the relief effort in any way they can

CIBC
CIBC Group of Companies donates $100,000 to Haiti Earthquake Relief Efforts. CIBC and FirstCaribbean International Bank are donating C$100,000 to the Haiti earthquake relief efforts following the 7.0 magnitude earthquake on January 12. "We are joining our clients and employees in supporting efforts to provide for the needs of those affected by the earthquake's devastation," said Gerry McCaughey, CIBC's President and Chief Executive Officer.
Donations to the Canadian Red Cross Haiti Earthquake fund can be made at any CIBC branch across Canada; by going online; by phone at 1-800-418-1111; by mail; or by visiting your local Red Cross office.

Delta Brunswick
Check-in for Haiti

Sharing the love on Valentines weekend, Delta Brunswick will offer a special rate of $50.00 per room, per night in support of Canadian Red Cross – Haiti Relief.  Delta Brunswick has set aside a block of 100 rooms per night for this initiative in hopes of attracting couples and families that want to enjoy our Uptown and then take the elevator home for a good cause.   100% of the proceeds will be donated to the Canadian Red Cross - Haiti Relief.

“Being accommodating has taken on a whole new level of meaning in the hospitality industry, as the world’s eyes continue to look in horror at the devastation of Haiti.  Trying to find meaningful ways to help while facilitating both guest and employee involvement has been the key in developing this event,” says Paulette Hicks, general manager of Delta Brunswick.

“We help in many different causes locally in our community and felt compelled to respond to this major crisis,” says Paulette Hicks, general manager of Delta Brunswick.

Program Deliverables
100% of the proceeds will go directly to the Canadian Red Cross for Haiti Relief
Available Friday, February 12, 2010, Saturday, February 13, 2010 and Sunday, February 14, 2010.
To make reservations please contact Delta Brunswick directly at 506-648-1981 or email dbreservations@fortisproperties.com . 

Eastern College/Eastern Trades College
Students at Eastern College and Eastern Trades College have planned three fundraising events to raise money for relief efforts in Haiti:
1. A 50/50 draw for students.
2. On Wednesday, January 27th student are invited to participate in the “Drink for a Drink” campaign. Students will be asked to consider skipping the purchase of a coffee and donating that change to help relief efforts, including purchasing drinking water for the people of Haiti.
3. A “Spare Change for Haiti” donations box will be placed at the front desk of the schools.
 
Funds raised from these initiatives will be donated to the Canadian Red Cross for Haiti relief and rebuilding.

Innovatia
Employees at Innovatia have initiated a campaign to support Haiti Earthquake Relief.
Today, a donation of $1,000 from the Innovatia Corporate Donations budget and the Innovatia Social Committee has been committed to OneXOne, an organization that supports the well-being of children around the world and which has a relief effort for Haiti underway.
Innovatia is also encouraging employees to make personal contributions:

   Next Thursday, employees will pay $2 for casual dress – proceeds to Haiti Relief
   Drink and donate – next week employees will be encouraged to make a small contribution to a Haiti Relief fund every time they use clean, safe, drinking water.
   Employees are being encouraged to make personal donations to charitable organizations.

Irving Oil Limited
They say the generosity of Saint Johner's is huge and this next story certainly proves that. Irving Oil is partnering with the Canadian Red Cross to provide aid to the Haitian disaster relief effort. The company will donate $50,000 and has committed to match all donations collected by Irving Oil employees until the end of the month.
Employee's are organizing 50/50 draws, donation boxes and casual days, among other things to keep the money rolling in. The Province has also committed $100,000 dollars toward the relief efforts.

Java Moose
Help for the country of Haiti continues to roll in from Greater Saint John. Java Moose has 100 pounds of Haitian Blue Coffee they are going to roast this weekend and make available at their City market location for a great price starting Monday.
It will be sold for $25 dollars a pound and all the money raised will be given to the Red Cross and the earthquake disaster relief fund.

New Brunswick Community College Saint John Campus
New Brunswick Community College Saint John Campus will host a “HEARTS FOR HAITI” benefit concert on January 26th at 11:30am for NBCC staff and students.

Headlined by Nashville recording artist Chris Cummings, other musical guests will include 2008 Saint John Idol Cory Roberts, our own Kevin Legault of the “Buzz”, Kevin Doiron, who will join the NBCC staff and students.

The concert will also include:

*A delicious dessert sale with cookies, cheesecakes, breads and much more
* A yard sale during the concert
*A raffle for a beautiful knitted throw

All funds raised from this event will go to the organization “One By One”. You can check out their website at www.onexone.org. 

Saint John Sea Dogs
During the two games over the past weekend January 15-17, 2010. Red Cross collected approximately $7000.00 donated by fans for the Hurricane Relief Fund for Haiti.

Urban Deli
As of Friday, January 15th, when you’re at the Urban Deli and paying for what you’ve ordered, we’ll be set up so that if you want to, you can give whatever change you get back to Haiti. We’ll have a jar by the cash register. Or if you just want to drop something in there, please do.
And for the next few Saturdays when you’re in the Deli, if you order fries (what we like to call Potato Frites), the money will be going to Haiti.
Any money raised will be going to the Canadian Red Cross for Haiti relief and rebuilding.

WestJet provides assistance to Haiti relief efforts
Funding and flights being provided to the afflicted nation

January 15, 2010. WestJet today announced in light of the horrific earthquake in Haiti earlier this week and the ensuing human tragedy that is unfolding, the airline is donating $100,000 to the Canadian Red Cross. WestJet has also encouraged its employees to collectively beat WestJet’s donation by giving to the relief organization of their choice.

In addition, WestJet will be donating and operating a charter flight in the coming days from Toronto directly to Port-au-Prince with much needed supplies being provided by World Vision Canada. WestJet will also be making cargo space available on scheduled flights to Miami to other aid agencies that need supplies to assist in their relief efforts.

“The entire WestJet family is deeply saddened by this tragedy and our hearts go out to the Haitian people and to all those affected by this catastrophic event,” said Sean Durfy, WestJet President and CEO. “Such human suffering needs to be addressed immediately and therefore as an organization we are responding corporately and at the employee level in the hopes of being able to provide any assistance we can.”

Conrad Sauvé, Secretary General and CEO, Canadian Red Cross commented, “We are pleased to see Canadian corporations like WestJet step forward to make important contributions that will have a dramatic effect in providing assistance in our efforts in Haiti and I thank them for their generous donation. Any financial contribution will have an impact and we encourage all Canadians to help in any way they can.”

World Vision Canada President, Dave Toycen, is working on the ground in Haiti right now.   "Families have been separated, and we need to reconnect children and parents. We are working hard to get emergency supplies to those who need it most, and WestJet's generous contribution of a charter flight means that will happen even faster. This shows those families that Canadians care."