Concert by The Maverick Street Band
to Aid Haitians
by Quinn Tremblay
Although Haiti is miles away from Westminster and the surrounding towns of North Central Massachusetts, when the horrific earthquake struck in January it impacted the lives of many people in the area. Many of us became glued to the news updates and many people began reading the newspapers again. Some people went beyond listening to news updates and they themselves went to the grief stricken country to assist in rescue efforts.
Audrey Hunter RN, Dr. John Harrington, and Vickie Weber RN
Forward in Health, which is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the health conditions and dignity of the people of Haiti, set out on two relief efforts headed by Dr. John Mulqueen and his wife Paula, RN. During these efforts they provided healthcare to Haitians who had received injuries from the earthquake. Three local McLean Hospital employees went on the first mission to Haiti following the earthquake. Audrey Hunter who is a RN and the Clinical Coordinator of the McLean Center at Fernside in Princeton, Vicki Weber who is a RN at McLean at Naukeag in Ashburnham, and Dr. John Harrington who serves as the physician for both facilities were members of FIH’s “Team A.” These three individuals put aside their addiction/substance abuse professional backgrounds to add a little care and compassion to a devastated land. Many people who do not have medical backgrounds are wondering how they can help out the Relief efforts.... Well there is a local way....
Forward In Health is promoting a benefit concert for Haiti Relief on Saturday, February 27 at 7pm at the Dukakis Performing Arts Center located at Montachusett Regional Vocation Technical School, 1050 Westminster Street, Fitchburg. The concert will feature country musicians THE MAVERICK STREET BAND, a country rock band that plays at the Bull Run in Shirley throughout the year.
The Maverick Street Band performed a two night concert in 2008 to build an orphanage for the children in Haiti and will be the performing band. If you love Country Music you will love this band. And your donation of $20.00 for the ticket will go to Mission E-4 and Forward in Health so they can get the proper supplies needed to help the poorest of the poor in Haiti.The concert will benefit schools and a medical center that need repair as a result of the earthquake. Tickets are available at the door for $20 or by contacting Forward In Health at 978 632 7846 or Phyllis Maston at 978 798 1041.
From the Rotary Club:
As nations and organizations around the world respond with aid and assistance, local non-profit organizations are likewise stepping into the battle. Two local groups are at the forefront of that action. Mission E-4, headquartered in Hubbardston, is led by Scott Long and focused in three Haiti locations: Leoganne, Laquile, and Fauche. Mission E-4 oversees three schools with over 800 children, an orphanage and medical clinic in Leoganne. Due to the devastation, Mission E-4 has begun work immediately establishing emergency refuge camps complete with food, water, tents and medical help. They will also be in the process of rebuilding.
Forward in Health, the second local organization working in Haiti is based in Gardner and is working to bring a permanent health clinic to Fond Frede, Haiti. This medical team of doctors and nurses is being lead by Dr. John Mulqueen his wife Paula along with Dr. John Harrington of Gardner, MA. In the past 2 years Forward in Health purchased 3 1/2 acres of land and has begun construction of a medical clinic. A well has been dug to provide clean drinking water.
Both of these organizations will be a channel to reach out to Haiti as a result of the upcoming benefit concert.