Last October, Jared and Jalayne Coblentz left for Port-au-Prince, Haiti to start a girls’ orphanage. Their mission abruptly changed as the ground quaked beneath their feet.
They’re still opening the girls’ orphanage this week. But the focus and the scope of their mission has grown tremendously since the Jan. 12 earthquake in Haiti.
“Jared and Jalayne are safe,” said Zack Coblentz, Jared’s older brother. “But they need a lot – water, food, baby food, diapers - the things we take for granted.”
To assist the people and orphans of Haiti, Hartville businesses have launched a campaign, Help Haiti. Local businesses have pledged $60,000 and they will match whatever the community donates.
“It’s amazing what this community has done,” said Zack.
Help Haiti will work with Christian Fellowship Missions. All funds will be funneled through Hartville Mennonite Church to purchase the most needed items for the people who need it most.
“I want to emphasize, 100 percent of the donations will go toward purchasing the items needed,” said Zack. “There are no administrative costs.”
Zack said with the donations they will fill two shipping containers filled with supplies.
The boys’ dad, Marion Coblentz, the manager of the Hartville MarketPlace and Hartville Flea Market, has arrived in Port-au-Prince to help in the relief efforts. Marion is a board member with Christian Fellowship Missions.
Youth With A Mission (YWAM) is sending a team to the orphanage to secure a crumbled wall for the security of the children.
“YWAM will fix the wall this week,” said Zack. “The children will be secure when the wall is fixed.”
The orphanage where Jared and Jalayne work is currently home to 30 to 35 boys. The girls’ orphanage will open this week.
“They need Pack-n-Plays, diapers, baby wipes, bathing essentials, mattresses and so much more,” said Zack. “But the best thing we can give them is money.”
He said through Help Haiti monetary donations, they can ship one box truck full of supplies and two containers of food, water and basics.
Donations will be accepted at Hartville Hardware, where Zack works, or at Hartville Mennonite Church.
“If the community wants to stop by the hardware, we have receipt books here and we can write a receipt,” said Zack. “Donations will be tax deductible.”
Donations may be sent to the church at Hartville Mennonite Church, 1470 Smith Kramer Rd., Hartville, OH 44632. Checks should be designated Haiti Earthquake on the subject line. For more details, call the church at 330-877-2050.
To see the progress of the orphanage and to hear from Jared and Jalayne, visit their blog at jjcoblentz.blogspot.com.
