Tsukamoto Asks for Residents to Help Haitian Relief Effort

Madison Borough Council President Jeannie Tsukamoto is asking for residents to help the relief effort going toward the earthquake-devastated country of Haiti.

Tsukamoto, a long-time volunteer for the American Red Cross, hopes the caring she's seen from people in town will carry over to the support effort.

"We are proud of our warm, caring and giving community where neighbors help neighbors," Tsukamoto said in a release. "As we are overwhelmed by the horrific images in the media of the injured and massive destruction, we must come together and extend our caring and giving beyond Madison to help ease the unimaginable sufferings of our Haitian neighbors. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Haitian communities."

The United Nations has reported that the quake that rocked the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince has left 300,000 people homeless in the city.

Those willing to donate through the American Red Cross can do so through the local chapter, the Colonial Crossroads Chapter which serves both Madison and Summit, or through the national organization.

Financial donations can be made to the Red Cross International Response Fund online at at www.redcross.org or by  phone at 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). They can also be made by mail to American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C., 20013 or the Colonial Crossroads Chapter, 695 Springfield Avenue , Summit , NJ, 07901. Please designate your donation as "AP 2885, Haiti Relief and Development."

You may also send a $10 donation by texting "HAITI" to 90999.

Please note that the American Red Cross cannot accept in-kind donations for the Haiti international response at this time. The greatest need exists for financial donations to help supply basic necessities.