  |
||
 |
|
||||||||
|
Breaking News & Activity Log
|
Afghanistan Update July 12, 2008 Honorable brother Gary Becks
4 June 2008 - Update from Ibrahim, our project coordinator in Afghanistan Honorable brother Gary Becks Excuse me that for several days I had round to all our educational learning centers and could not write to you because of not being of net facility in those remote areas. I have brought some changes to some of our literacy learning schools. Opened some new centers and finished our those previous literacy learning schools which the students graduated from class six. Most of the students of those schools got admission in other high schools after graduating from our learning schools. That is Good news that your wife returned from Burma healthy. Please convey my salaam to her and all your noble family. I am OK. The condition of Hazarajat is good and peaceful, but traveling to other area specially Kabul because of blocking of the way by Taliban is mostly dangerous. Which is mentionable and the people suffering from that in Hazarajat is too cost of the food as much as most parts of the people have not ability of buying food. I have visited several families who because of hunger eating grass which are only suitable for cattle. I am sure in case of not receiving of urgent help most families will lose their lives. I know most families who even not have the ability of buying of one bread for large numbers of their families, while there are no work in all Afghanistan. I plan to bring some more changes to our educational learning schools. will write soon after completing of my program. God bless you and keep you my dear friend and brother. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Burma / China Update May 27, 2008 “We purchased canned foods, spoons (3,000), tarps, ropes, towels, underwear (men, woman, all sizes), sandals, feminine hygiene products, hand tools like hammers and nails, walking canes and crutches, first-aid supplies and lots of antibiotic and anti-diarrhea medicines that I know is needed.” BURMA REPORT: She is exhausted. Dealing with the frustration of having supplies and funds ‘in hand’ but having to work ‘underground’ because of the Burma regime’s cruelty has been more taxing than the exhaustion of a normal mission. Excerpt from Benyapa’s trip report: ‘Every time I go with my husband, on a Mission to help people, I see him thinking all the time and I wonder why is Gary so deep in thought?? On this frustrating trip to relieve suffering to the disaster victims of the Burma Cyclone – I began to understand the deep thinking and concentration I had witnessed so many times before. When I arrived in Thailand, the team was ready and waiting. We had supplies, resources and transportation to start our immediate relief. However, ready to respond, we were forbidden to help and here I found myself only able to think, not do, not work, not feed, not shelter, not save… only think…. Why they will not let us help???? I ask myself all the time, these people need us so much. We spent three days waiting on the Burma Government to open the border for relief workers. Three days is too long to wait when there is death, suffering, starvation and victims crying out for help. We decided to go directly to the border and begin helping there. More frustration after hours of travel. The Police Supervisor Big Boss explained the Burma Government was very bad and if we crossed the border and by bad luck got caught providing relief we would all be arrested. I cannot risk that for the volunteers. How bad is Burma jail?? (Now I understand why Gary sent me here HA HA HA) Thoughts, disappointment and suffering… so close yet so far… Life is hard and I am thinking to myself about the Burma people in the Cyclone, how much bigger problems are now… and worse every day without our help. In Thailand border city of May Sot we find our way to help. We visited a clinic which helps Burma people. Many were refugees from before the Cyclone. The clinic has volunteer Burmese doctors helping so many sick people. There are more volunteers. There are students bringing medicine and supplies into Burma. They have the resources to go underground into Burma directly to disaster stricken areas. These brave volunteers just need more supplies… Many more supplies. There are so many people in need. We purchased canned foods, spoons (3,000), tarps, ropes, towels, underwear (men, woman, all sizes), sandals, feminine hygiene products, hand tools like hammers and nails, walking canes and crutches, first-aid supplies and lots of antibiotic and anti-diarrhea medicines that I know is needed. There is also a great need for clean water. We purchased enough purification tablets to clean over ONE MILLION LITERS of bad water. Sometimes the best gift you can give is the gift of enabling… We gave cash which allows these trustworthy people to purchase needs inside of Burma. When they assess damage in the field first hand they will know and have the funds to get what people really need. RTF also delivered money to Abbot Monk in Thailand that has project to help Burma people and he is someone that I trust. It started out as a very frustrating mission. However, Rescue Task Force was / is able to make a difference, provide relief and offer life saving supplies to those that so desperately need us. I am very glad that I was a part of helping so many and happy that we are able now to continue helping by supporting the local Burma volunteers.’ Thank You Pictures of our distribution inside Burma will be up on the website tonight. RTF Missions / Gallery / 208 Inside Burma: http://www.rescuetaskforce.org/pages/Photo%20Gallery.html CHINA: As with just about every disaster over the past twenty years we are assisting. Unlike other disasters though, due to financial constraints at this time we are not sending an RTF team into China. We, the RTF family of donors are assisting with a second shipment of supplies that WER-HK is delivering to the affected area; more medicine, energy drinks, biscuits, shoes, tents and milk powder. (This is a very difficult time for the WER-Hong Kong team. Just a couple of weeks ago a local volunteer was killed and all ten volunteers injured on a bus accident while on the way into Mongolia.) God Bless you as you Bless so many through your Rescue Task Force. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Update: Burma Disaster Relief Dear Friends,
Thank you for the many prayers, donations and support in so many ways. Their story is typical of what we do, but the twists and turns are tragic. Upon arrival in Mae Sot, the border town, Thai police and customs officers again reiterated to them the dangers of passing over the border into Burma. The plan was to deliver the relief supplies that had been purchased in Bangkok. Americans still cannot enter, however Thai nationals can get a tourist visa and enter into Burma. Were the Burmese military Junta to catch them doing any relief work they would be arrested. As it turns out it was not necessary to take such risks. On our web site photo album page: There are pictures of Puu and the team buying supplies. At a clinic on the frontier that serves Burmese war wounded we did a small distribution. That hospital group is working on a plan to carry supplies across into Burma for disaster relief. That plan is not in place yet. To get immediate assistance to suffering families in Burma we are working with a student resistance group that has a long history running an under-ground railroad supply line into Burma. Typical college students: very creative and bold – and up to the challenge. Puu was impressed with them and had me talk with Executive Director of the group (Burmese). He offered to take Puu and the team into Burma with them, but they would not be able to go as far as the cyclone area – only into the Karen resistance area. We decided that there was no benefit in doing so to offset the risk. (Perhaps another operation for another time....) Joel (WER), Gary and Andrea (RTF) agreed with Puu that the balance of the project funds be split between shopping for meds and bulk relief supplies in Mae Sot and that the cargo transported from Bangkok be placed in the hands of the student group. Tomorrow, in Bangkok we will purchase 1,600 Sodium-dichloro-isocyanurate water purification tablets – enough to treat 640,000 liters of water.
Sincerely,
Puu is very frustrated. Cannot get into Burma and conflicting reports about refugees in Northern Thailand border area. She has purchased a small truckload of supplies in Bangkok and will be going to the border region to find out for herself about refugees. About 8 hour drive from Bangkok. Good highway but potentially unsafe conditions at frontier. Departs with van of few volunteers her Monday morning (our Sunday night.) If no refugees in that area she will deliver the supplies to Temple on the border that will move relief supplies across to a Temple in Burma. If there are cyclone victims in area she will buy in volume and deliver locally. She has also purchased a wheelchair. (She has been to enough disasters to know typical immediate needs.) Gary ------ Forwarded Message I love you too :) I would like to home now .
Update From Thailand (Burma Disaster Relief) Puu and team will be working in Tak province – On Thai side of Thai Burma border. On the map: North of Bangkok, about half way to Chang Mai and then west to border. (Due east of Yangon.) As Thai national she can get visa to enter Burma, but, has to have business visa – will get arrested if found giving aid with “tourist” visa. Business visa requires letter from employer and letter of invitation from Government of Myanmar. She and team willing to take the risk and go in as tourists. I directed them not to do so. (I did not get any argument.) Mission details when she next checks in. This following message from one of our supporters from a friend that just happens to be in Burma. “ I spent the last two days assessing and giving aid. Not that I have any idea how to do this, but we're here and trying. Relief is not getting here. We've been harrassed by the authorities constantly. We've been followed, filmed with camera and video camera, asked for bribes to continue to stricken areas, prevented from taking boats, you name it. Gotta run now but this is important I think... aid workers aren't being allowed in and those of us that are already here are being intimidated to not give assistance...”
Update From Thailand (Burma Disaster Relief)
Every hour that passes increases the complications and miseries of the Cyclone victims. We have been to too many disaster zones and know the spread of disease and dwindling of hope each additional hour brings. We just talked with Benyapa (Puu) in Thailand. It is Thursday evening here, early Friday morning over there. She is going to the Myanmar (Burma) Embassy to verify one way or another that she can get a visa. No problem for Thai nationals, usually visas are obtained upon arrival at Yangon airport but her U.S. Visa stamp might contaminate her passport. Most of the volunteer Thai team members that are to travel with her also have various U.S. Visas in their passports. Time is passing and Burma could very well continue resisting aid. Unless something happens during day today (Thailand time) Puu will begin Plan C – Trucking relief supplies from a city in Northern Thailand to stricken areas on the Thai / Burma border, do relief work while waiting, and then go into Burma if / when it does open. The team and the victims need your prayers and support. Updates to follow. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> UPDATE Board and Colleagues, Puu arrived BKK. Good news is that she made contact with Dr Waranouk. 10:00 night now so cannot do much until their morning. Dr. Waranauk is “heavy weight” in Thailand. Between he and Puu if anything can be accomplished they will be able to do it. More to follow. Many disturbing rumor reports about impediments by Burma gov on relief efforts. Puu going to Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok tomorrow. (One report – UNCONFIRMED that she received from family of friends in Burma is that that relief supplies must be purchased in Burma and given to Myanmar gov for distribution. Lots to sort through.) Dr.Waranauk was our team and container coordinator during Tsunami. Gary Responding to Burma Crises Rescue Task Force’s Director of Programs, Benyapa Becks, departs tomorrow for Myanmar (Burma) on behalf of Rescue Task Force and Carlsbad based World Emergency Relief in a joint effort reminiscent of their work for regional Tsunami victims in January 2005 Once in Burma the team will purchase and distribute emergency disaster supplies for local distribution while also coordinating the delivery and distribution of incoming ocean freight containers of emergency supplies from the USA and Europe, shipped by World Emergency Relief. The team leader, Benyapa Becks, is a Thai national and wife of RTF President Gary Becks. Benyapa is a veteran of many RTF / WER missions in Thailand and Sri Lanka Tsunami, as well as to relief work in the U.S. (Hurricane Katrina and the fires of San Diego County), Peru, Cambodia and Honduras.
March 2, 2008 Dear Friends, We (Benyapa and Gary) leave today for Honduras where we will be meeting with our local volunteers and then working on the water filters and medical clinic projects deep in the Miskito Coast Jungle. We desperately need help with these and our other projects and send a special “Thank You” to the many who have already responded to our February / March Post Card mailing. If you are receiving this note (email list) but not our ‘snail’ mail and would like to get our information please send back a mailing address – we would like to be able to send you updates and pictures of our work… and an invitation to help. If you received the post card and could please in turn mail some of them to your friends and family please let us know how many post cards (stamped) we can mail to you to mail to others. (The printer made plenty of extras for us.) Saturday, March 1st our local newspaper, San Diego Union Tribune, did a very nice article about the ongoing Back Pack program supporting our U.S. war wounded returning to military hospitals at Balboa, Brooke, Walter Reed and Bethesda. http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20080301/news_1ez1rescue.html The two containers of wheelchairs have arrived in Cambodia – this means that another 1,080 people will be mobile – no longer crawling on the ground. Also last week a container of medical supplies arrived in Cambodia. Value: $218,060. Our relief team of Afghanistan volunteers are somewhere in the mountains of Afghanistan mounting a relief operation, assisting victims of a brutal storm. We have not heard from them for several days and do not expect them to be able to make contact again for another week or so. Around the World, Around the Clock… together we are touching many lives and hurting hearts Thank You for your support in so many ways. I look forward to having a great progress report for you when I get back from the jungle. Yours In Service,
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20080301/news_1ez1rescue.html Backpacks bursting with gifts for troops Items collected for wounded vets By Sharon A. Heilbrunn March 1, 2008 EL CAJON – Andrea Stone's tennis shoes have wheels. And the 35-year-old needed them as she rolled from one crisis to the next in the El Cajon Veterans of Foreign Wars post. Stone is executive officer of the Rescue Task Force organization, a nonprofit group with a mission to alleviate suffering and provide aid to those in need. She bought the wheeled sneakers, called Heelys, as a Christmas present for herself last year. They came in handy Tuesday as she directed the efforts of nearly 30 volunteers creating recovery backpacks for wounded military men and women. The 80 backpacks, valued at $600 each, are stuffed with items including pens, magazines, journals, playing cards, a CD player, Nintendo DS, watch, electric shaver, gift certificates, flip-flops, sweats, shorts, socks and a shaving bag. Tuesday's efforts will ensure that every wounded patient at Brooke Army Medical Center in Texas, National Naval Medical Center in Maryland, and Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., is given a pack. “The first thing they will get, after they are stabilized, is a backpack,” she said. “It's Christmas the minute they get it.” Their reply? A T-shirt and socks. Online: For more Rescue Task Force
A CD player would be great, they told her. Video games would help pass the time. They were cold, so could she include sweats? And sometimes, late at night, they wanted to grab a bite to eat. Flip-flops would allow them to easily maneuver. Donations flooded in. The contractors were able to raise $50,000 to cover the cost of building these 80 backpacks. Ten volunteers did the shopping, making sure all the items were alike. To find 58 plastic soap holders, volunteer Jennifer Simmonson went to two Walgreens, three CVS stores, four Rite Aid stores and a Longs Drugs. “Our Rotary club – La Jolla New Generations Rotary – finished half of the shopping in about four days,” Simmonson said as she helped unpack boxes. “Pencils, pens, playing cards,” one volunteer murmured before zipping up a pocket and passing the pack to the next station. To date, the Rescue Task Force has built 351 backpacks with help from corporate supporters and individual donors. In a thank-you letter, Gina Hill wrote about her husband, who arrived at Walter Reed with nothing. “Receiving a bag such as the one you sent, helped him feel as if he actually had something he could call his own,” Hill wrote. The Rescue Task Force aims to continue making 60 to 95 packs a month. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Dear Friends, Extreme winter condition and snow storms are causing horrid suffering and death. Thanks to SoCo Group (the petroleum distributers), several days ago RTF was able to commit to helping. Initial funds have been transferred but I have begged him, my dear friend of 20 years, to wait until he is recovered from a botched dental job. In his letter below you will see that he cannot wait any longer to activate his team. I am not using his name. He is wanted by the Taliban and literally puts his life on the line to run Rescue Task Force’s ten Learning Centers for Women that he directs in Afghanistan and as he heads up our regional disaster response teams. Several years ago the Taliban executed his brother, thinking that the brother was him. We have such limited funds right now but when he reached out to us for help with this disaster how could we say “no” to someone who does so much in his words, ‘to bring my people out of darkness’. Having directed RTF responses to the several catastrophic earthquakes over the past few years he and his team are experienced and well able to run a full-on relief mission. From a previous note:
Yours In Service
Any way from hearing of the daily sad news of human disaster because of hunger and cold weather in Afghanistan my heart is very uneasy. According to the news of the night befour las of Afghan televisions because of hunger, snow and cold weather till now, 990 persons died and hundreds others have been lost parts of their bodies. More then 300000 cattle perished and 770 houses collapsed. According to UN estimated four million people in Afghanistan need to urgent help. Although the place of my extracted tooth is still painful but because of hearing of those sad news my conscience blame me every minutes as some person whispering that medicine is not useful after died "Persian proverb". So in spite of having of tooth problem I prefer to start my mission. I believe in helping of my Lord when I am working for his happiness. I plan to cross the border the day after tomorrow. First of all I have to go to -------- for taking of the check book of my bank and join to volunteer team who are waiting there for me. Then I will go to Kabul to cash the money. After round on refugee's camps around Kabul and talking with people from deferent areas I will make the plan of our welfare helping. Of course which is mentionable, because of block of the ways by heavy snow going to the very needy remote mountainous areas where the lives of thousands of poor families because of hunger and cold weather is in danger of die is not possible at this moment. Will write complete report from Kabul. God bless you and keep you my dear friend and brother. Please do not forget me from your prayer. Sincerely yours
Rescue Task Force Direct donations via web site: www.rescuetaskforce.org
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> January 31, 2008 Dear Friends, Until we can get out a detailed newsletter please let us share some current activities with you - and a personal update too… Probably sometime about June we will get out Christmas cards but by then it will be almost December again so maybe not again this year... All is well here. Gary welcomed in the new year with a kidney stone, Puu (Benyapa) got her drivers license – riding with her on the freeway is about as exciting as passing the kidney stones… She is well and busy with the bookkeeping and prepares your donation receipts. Tun, Puu’s and now my son too, at 16 though, he is becoming a bit of a discipline problem. One day last year he was 15 minutes late for school and then last week he forgot to bring in the trash cans. He is doing great in school – straight A’s and all of his teachers tell us what a pleasure he is to have in their classes. (He has brought Thai respect and manners to El Cajon H.S.) We have a puppy – English Bull Dog. Actually, Zero, the puppy, has us! Andrea is well and for the most part is over her health problems. Kody, her 16 year, old is in ROTC and Alex, her nine year old daughter, volunteers here in the office – finally we have someone onboard who knows what they are doing… We enjoy the many notes that we receive from you, our supporters. Please send more and tell us about yourselves. We have grown so much that many of you, our friends, are friends that we have not met yet.
Cambodia: Last week two containers of wheelchairs (1,000 units +) arrived in Cambodia. Our team there is clearing the containers through customs and will begin distribution in just a matter of days. Over 1,000 more people will NO LONGER be crawling on the ground – thanks to you!!! El Salvador: Cristina, our volunteer RTF coordinator in El Salvador is making arrangements for another incoming container of wheelchairs that she will be distributing to severely developmentally handicapped children and adults in rural Salvadorian villages. Local: Back Packs Program: Your support has enabled RTF to deliver 183 Back Packs to wounded Marines, Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen – and women at Balboa Naval Hospital, Brooke Army Hospital (burns) and Walter Reed. During February we anticipate being able to also start filling needs at Bethesda Naval Hospital.
“My husband is a wounded warrior currently receiving treatment for injuries he received due to an IED blast in Iraq on November 21, 2007. He received a backpack full of wonderful items, as well as a letter from your organization. I just wanted to take the time to let you know how much it means to him to receive support, such as this, from all over the US. He arrived at Walter Reed, as he says, in his birthday suit. He literally had a hospital gown on, and a bag with his ACU pants that had been cut from him, his boots, and one sock. Everything else was gone, including his dog tags and his ID. Receiving a bag such as the one you sent, helped him feel as if he actually had something he could call his own. It also allowed him to have some items to clean up with and something to wear. For many soldiers, passing the time is a big issue. Being stuck in the hospital for sometimes months, can get very monotonous. The game boy and games were definitely a big hit, as well as the phone. Currently, my husband is being treated as an outpatient and his prognosis looks good. He was very lucky. He has an amazing story that goes along with all of it, and isn't afraid to share it. We definitely count our blessings daily. Again, thanks for all you are doing to help our wounded warriors through their recovery. It is a long road, and acts of generosity such as yours, make it much more bearable. My husband as well as the rest of my family extend a big thanks to you all. With Gratitude, Gina Hill and Family
Honduras: We are preparing for a mission back into the jungles of Honduras the first week of March where we will be working on the water filter project and the next full service medical clinic that is woefully behind schedule. This is a Life vs. Death project. Mou and Andres, our local coordinators, are rounding up boat fuel and provisions in preparation for the arriving team. Again, Thank You for being such an important part of the team; donors, supporters and volunteers in so many, many ways.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> December 28, 2007 Fire Activity: Mission Number 200 for Rescue Task Force (RTF) to date.
600 Airbeds delivered to evacuation centers Found 25 fire fighters sleeping on ground at Gillespie field and took air beds to them Truck loads of cots and blankets delivered to hastily set up evacuation centers Tons of hay delivered to Lakeside fair Grounds, Parkway Plaza Shopping center and South Bay for evacuated horses 7 kw generator supplied to East County for running water pumps for livestock (Later relocated to Deerhorn Volunteer Fire Station Ten wheelchairs delivered to disabled evacuees $25,000 delivered to Potrero Elementary School $25,000 delivered to Deerhorn Volunteer Fire Fighters $25,000 delivered to Intermountain Volunteer Fire Fighters $25,000 delivered to San Pasqual Volunteer Fire Fighters and a 4X4 Jeep that had been loaned to RTF by Chrysler corp. 45 Motor homes pumped-out (sewage) at Lakeside Evacuation Center $49,408 worth of clean-up equipment and personal supplies for victims purchased to date Fork lift supplied to relief center for off loading semi truck Air compressor and industrial electrical supplies to Ramona Evacuation Center and LAC Assisted with site clean-up and assisted homeowners by sifting through rubble and ashes for jewelry and personal mementoes Purchased an Air Cleaner for an evacuated family with a son suffering serious asthma Provided 8 Picnic tables for the tent city being established at Barrett Junction. Computer and photocopy machine for unlimited free use by area fire victims. Commercial photocopy machine for unlimited free use by area fire victims in Deerhorn Valley – Placed at Fire station Distribution of tent, generators and assistance to victims Tools to Phil Harris ministry Loaded and delivery of hay and supplies for large animal relief $10,000 to Rancho San Diego Rotary $10,000 to Alpine Kiwanis Received 18 wheeler from Chrysler Foundation for delivery of relief supplies Assisted with set up of Potrero Tent city at Barrett Junction $1,000 to Phil Harris group $2,000 direct aid (Roger) Towels and bedding to relief evacuation centers (Dan) Pick-nik tables (8) Tent City Hygiene supplies for family packs 6 chain saws for Deerhorn valley relief / clean-up 1,500 gallon holding tank for gray water at Barrett junction tent city field kitchen Waste water recovery and pump for Tent city $1,300 worth of pampers, laundry soap, trash bags etc to tent city - purchase and deliver Purchased for Friday delivery: 30 wheelbarrows and 30 shovels – Deerhorn VFD Delivered Two pallets of Minute Maid canned juice to tent city Temporary site electrical hook-up at Ramona ($800) Hygiene supplies (P/U load to Barrett Junction) 4 chain saws to Potrero VFD Electric drop lines (48) and gloves – Phil Harris Storage facility for evacuated family. Dulzura Rental of 48 Kw generator – Barrett trailer park. ($4,000 rental fee) Phil Harris - $10,000 for feeding – food baskets for victim families Water to Dulzura Shoes / Sandals (new) to Escondido (6 pallets) Direct aid: $5,000 in Home Depot cards and $4,000 in cash Hospitalized burn victim $1,000 Barrett Tent City 6 cubic yard Dumpsters (2) rental Tent City – aluminum Steam Table trays (100) Project Wildlife $15,000 Gift cards for Christmas event – Barrett Junction – East County Fire Victims - $15,000
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> November 16, 2007 Fire Recovery – Micro Project and great food Dear Friends and Colleagues The recent fire storms brought forth many heroes. Two heroes are Leon and Chris Herzog, proprietors of the Barrett Junction Café, just east of Dulzura. The café escaped fire damage but has been closed since that first night – closed for business but NOT closed. Leon offered up his restaurant as an interim disaster center in the first hours. Normal business gave way to hosting volunteers and tons of relief supplies for RTF and other agencies who needed a forward secure base camp and staging area from which to work. Late in the nights RTF has been welcome to off load a semi-truck, vans and pick-up truck loads of supplies and even tons of hay for evacuated horses at the restaurant’s outdoor eating area. The dining room became a community center. Today, Friday, the café is re-opening for normal business. If you would like to help this small business toward recovery and enjoy a GREAT meal please stop by. Many of the regular clients are fire victims and business is going to be hurting for a long time. (I will be there Saturday sometime mid-day for lunch, RTF will be working in the area.) Barrett Junction Café Hours: This Friday only: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Media Alert San Antonio Texas MEDIA Rescue Task Force Team Arrives at Brooke Army Hospital Contact:
The Back Packs are valued at over $550 each and contain entertainment items such as GameBoys, CD players and CDs, cellular phones and Visa gift cards. The Back Packs also have quality toiletries items and personal necessities. (For a full list of the Back Pack contents see the RTF web site at www.rescuetaskforce.org.) Medical care is so good that service men (and women) can often be in a U.S. Stateside bed in three days of being wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. Their personal gear can take months to catch up with them. The RTF Back Pack is built to fill personal immediate incidental needs and to provide entertainment “Heart Medicine” during the initial days of diagnosis and treatment of severe injuries. Rescue Task Force has been distributing the Back Packs at Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego and at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington D.C.. RTF is now expanding the project to Brooke Army Hospital Burn ward. This initial team that just arrived in San Antonio consists of retired USMC Major Frank Stoltz of San Antonio and Col Jack Kelly USMC(Ret), Mr. Mark Rolland of Sand Sport Magazine and Ms. Andre Stone, RTF Executive Office, all of Southern California. To date RTF has given out 137 of the Back Packs. “We look forward to touching a lot of hurting hearts, and bodies, as we begin serving heroes here in San Antonio” said Ms. Stone. The RTF team will be available to the media to talk about the Back Packs and RTF’s other military support projects Wednesday afternoon by calling the above contacts any time on Wednesday. This project is Rescue Task Forces 196th mission and first of many to the Great State of Texas. Rescue Task Force is a non-profit international relief agency that responds to natural and man-made disasters world-wide. In addition to local San Diego area fire relief and military support, RTF delivers volunteer medical and dental teams into the jungles villages of Honduras and has constructed three full service medical and dental clinic facilities deep in the jungles of Honduras’ Miskito Coast. RTF also operates ten schools for women in Afghanistan and built medical facilities in Tsunami stricken Sri Lanka and has assisted with Tsunami recovery in Thailand. We also have projects in Cambodia, Thailand and El Salvador. See the RTF web site for detailed information about RTF’s projects and for information on how you can be involved. www.rescuetaskforce.org
Rescue Task Force Receives Support from The Chrysler Foundation, Chrysler Financial and The Home Depot Contact Rescue Task Force: 10:00 AM Wednesday, October 31, 2007 To directly assist victims of the devastating San Diego County fires The Chrysler Foundation and Chrysler Financial will jointly present $200,000 to San Diego County based Rescue Task Force (RTF). Chrysler will also be making 2 Jeep Wranglers, 1 Jeep Liberty, and 1 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles available for loan to area fire agencies needing off-road vehicles. The Home Depot store in Lemon Grove will continue to contribute significant hours to get Rescue Task Force what it needs and provide a notable discount on product. Immediately after the media event RTF, The Home Depot and Chrysler volunteers who have arrived from Detroit and Carlsbad, will begin loading relief and clean up supplies into Chrysler supplied vehicles and will then convoy into burn areas delivering help – Hand to Hand - lending ‘a hand up’. In appreciation for their support to our communities a representative of Congressman Duncan Hunter’s office will present U.S. flags that have been flown over the U.S. Capital to Chrysler and Home Depot representatives in appreciation of their financial and logistical help being given to RTF. Attending the event will be Senator Dennis Hollingsworth, Assemblyman Joel Anderson, Supervisor Dianne Jacob and Lemon Grove City Councilwoman Mary England. Additionally The Home Depot Foundation has contributed more than $300,000 as well as numerous volunteer hours to fire relief and recovery efforts throughout San Diego. * * * For information about how you can help Rescue Task Force help the fire victims please call (619) 328-6511 or visit www.rescuetaskforce.org
Thanks to our generous supporters we are delivering immediate relief to victims of the fires here in San Diego County. Andrea spent the first night of the fires at Lakeside Rodeo Grounds assisting with horses evacuated from the Ramona fire zone. We have not stopped since… Our teams of volunteers have been delivering; air beds to area evacuation centers (over 500 so far), wheelchairs and one custom wheelchair for a special need. (Rescue Task Force serves individuals as well as “humanity”.) We have purchased and delivered bales of hay to animal evacuation centers and even to a shopping center in town hosting 50 evacuated horses. Rescue Task Force supporters have given; gift cards to families suddenly homeless, meals, water and food items to relief workers at evacuation centers and to countless families driven from their homes. As the fires diminish and families are able to leave the evacuation centers, hopefully in just a couple of days, the heavy work for RTF will begin: Assisting families and small businesses with cleaning up. As we did after the 2003 fires, RTF will be providing clean up tools: brooms, shovels, chain saws and hand tools, wheel barrows and all that is necessary for our local families to begin the long road back to recovery. We also provide recovery help to young people. Kids have special needs, especially teen-agers. Gift cards enable them to buy / replace what is important to them - many have lost everything. Prudent longer term relief planning also considers “tomorrow”. Rains are coming and we could well face a disaster of equal proportion in the mountainous areas of the county from fire related erosion and landslides. For information about how you can help Rescue Task Force help the fire victims please call (619) 328-6511 or visit www.rescuetaskforce.org >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Rescue Task Force Cambodia: We have shipped these before. It is amazing to watch the distribution. Most of the recipients are poor, elderly villagers. The first thing that they do when putting on the glasses is to look at their hands. Always!!! The lines and details have been blurred for so long. The cargo is donated. For $5,405 in shipping fees RTF is delivering $1.7 million dollars worth of eyeglasses and accessories. Also on Monday the 24th we booked two additional containers of wheelchairs for Cambodia. There are about 800 new mine victims per year – land mines left over from the Khmer Rouge. Apart from mine victims there are other casualties of that war; when the communists took over they removed everything “western”. That included medicine and preventative medicine. Today, polio is reemerging and striking down children. The containers hold 540 wheelchairs each. These two containers will bring the total to five containers to Cambodia plus one to El Salvador last March. Thanks to RTF donors 3,240 people are no longer crawling on the ground!!!
We spent the day purchasing blankets; bulk food and hygiene supplies and then early the next morning took off over quake destroyed roads for Nuevo Imperial with a large cargo truck and two vans. RTF tries to work in outlaying areas of disasters that are overlooked by the larger relief efforts. That is how we wound up in Nuevo Imperial where the tons of supplies were broken down and repacked into individual family relief packs by weary local volunteers from the church. The area was devastated. The adobe homes of the villages were strewn asunder. As we have seen in other disaster responses: the people rejoiced to see us and celebrated that ‘The Americans are here’ – even before seeing the trucks of supplies following behind. Pictures are on the web site that tell the story best… The despair … then the feeling of relief… and then the hugs.
Upon arrival at a dirt landing strip on the frontier the team was met by local volunteers and we traveled by boat to remote jungle villages assessing needs. An equally important part of disaster relief work is determining where assistance is not needed. The team then began the arduous task of delivering relief supplies of food, basic necessities and hand tools to isolated villages. (Having left the frontier town of Puerto Lempira at 4 AM one morning the team was hit by a life threatening storm of torrential rain and extreme wind while crossing the vast Carataska Lagoon. No cargo was lost.) Every day is a disaster for families in these deep jungle villages. During this particular Hurricane the death toll was minimal, about 25 in these areas that we serve, and not many homes were lost. The looming disaster, however, is that the planted crops of these subsistence farmers have been destroyed and in about three months from now there will be NOTHING to harvest.
Media Advisory FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 13, 2007 Contact: Gary Becks In Honduras Cell (619) 887-9230 Thursday evening Andrea Stone (619) 328-6895 Cell (619) 991-3669
Rescue Task Force Returns from Hurricane Torn “Photo Albums” and click Mission Number 194
RTF has a long work history of support in this region of the jungle where the organization has built three full service medical clinics that provide local villagers their first time ever full time medical care. The RTF clinic at Sih Honduras (Wendell Cutting Clinic) suffered minor damage when the roof was lifted, but villagers were able to keep it from blowing off during the 85 mph wind.
According to Gary Becks, President of RTF: “Every day is a disaster for families in these deep jungle villages. During this particular Hurricane the death toll was minimal, about 25 in these area that we serve, and many homes were lost. The looming disaster, however, is that the planted crops of these subsistence farmers has been destroyed and in about three months from now there will be NOTHING to harvest.”
For information about how you can help Rescue Task Force and the hurricane victims in Honduras , please call (619) 328-6511 or visit www.rescuetaskforce.org.
UPDATES: Dear Friends, Back Pack Project Your Rescue Task Force delivered 10 more Back Pack to Balboa Naval Hospital today. Value in dollars… $5,500. Value in spirits lifted… Priceless. While Bill Rasulis, one of our volunteers, was unloading the Back Packs in front of the hospital this morning a young Marine rolled past in his wheelchair. He spun around to where Bill was working and with a big smile talked about the RTF Back Packs – he had received one when he arrived from Iraq to Walter Reed. He has since been transferred to Balboa for two prosthetic legs. He, again, sends his thanks and appreciation and was shy about receiving our thanks to him for his service. We will deliver ten more Back Packs next week.
Benyapa, Gary ’s wife, is helping a foundation in Bangkok , Thailand . The foundation is in dire need of wigs (new and/or used) for cancer patients. The foundation is currently helping about one hundred patients, they have only ten wigs. . “I would like to ask If you have wig and don't use. You can donation for me please. I will send them to Thailand ”. This foundation (local charity) serves the poor. “Some patients cry, don’t go outside home because no hair.” Rescue Task Force RTF Web Site. We have photo albums on the web site now. You are invited to come take a look at the Peru mission and recent RTF missions. There are also albums of your RTF ongoing domestic and overseas projects filed by subject. Hopefully someday we will get a new home page designed. (Hint) www.rescuetaskforce.org
Gary >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Thu, 23 Aug 2007 20:44:26 -0700
Andrea, Benyapa, Jim (volunteer from Atlanta ) and I just returned from Peru . Our hearts are heavy at seeing so much misery and so much need, but rejoicing at what you, the Rescue Task Force family was able to do The area of Pisco that you have been seeing on the news is worse than the pictures tell. Because of the attention and access there is help there and more is on the way. ‘Rescue Task Force goes to where others do not’. We learned about an outlaying area in Nuevo Imperial that had no help. Upon arrival in Lima we purchased food, water and blankets and working into the night with our local volunteers loaded the supplies into a large cargo truck. Roads are torn up and getting south into the “zone” is difficult and nerve wracking. RTF personally delivered food packs to 300 families. These food packs will feed a family for seven days. The blankets will keep them warm (it is winter in Peru and cold!!!). From so many: “Gracias, gracias, gracias…” Also, from so many; “Please help…” In one area where refugees are congregating and making campsites there is not yet medical help. Because you sent us this little girl that had stepped into an open cooking fire was treated by our team and will be fine. Without our help though, others will not. (PHOTO) Note to media, and interested parties: Interviews and photos are available and photos will also be up on our web site soon. (Tonight I am tired.) Our detailed trip report will follow in the mail soon. Again, Thank for letting RTF be your ambassador. Gary >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Six weeks ago Andrea and RTF team members were in this community delivering wheelchairs. The rainy season has only just begun in El Salvador, and Rescue Task Force (RTF) is already responding to tragedy. Tropical Storm Barbara left at least four people dead in her wake. Three people died in the town of Berlin where a mudslide destroyed 20 homes. The storm claimed another life in the Usulutan district. Many have been forced to leave their homes, and the numbers are still coming in. Pictures tell the gravity of this heartbreaking situation far better than words ever could. The torrent of mud and rocks in Berlin ripped this four-year-old boy from his mother’s arms. His broken lifeless body was found 12 kilometers away.
(Photo)
A team of RTF volunteers is in El Salvador NOW and is working with the country’s Green Cross to bring blankets and medical supplies to the homeless and those who have been evacuated. RTF has a history of helping El Salvador’s Green Cross when disaster strikes. Unfortunately, the Green Cross is tremendously under funded. It has only three operational ambulances, which are poorly equipped to meet the need. While the storm has moved north, heavy rains are expected to continue in El Salvador for the next several days. Your help is needed. Please donate today by calling Rescue Task Force at (619) 328-6511 mail to: Rescue Task Force 864 N. 2nd Street # 340 El Cajon, CA 92021 or visit the RTF Website, http://www.rescuetaskforce.org. Story by Jim Ritchey
May 15, 2007 The Leading Charity Evaluator in America For years, Rescue Task Force (RTF) has set the bar for fiscal responsibility among charitable organizations, and now, it is formally recognized by a leading national organization for charting a trustworthy course. RTF has just received Charity Navigator’s highest rating, 4-stars, for the way RTF does business. In a letter congratulating RTF, Charity Navigator President Trent Stamp said, “Less than a quarter of the charities we evaluate have received our highest rating, indicating that Rescue Task Force outperforms the majority of nonprofits in America with respect to fiscal responsibility.” Stamp said, “This ‘exceptional’ designation from Charity Navigator differentiates Rescue Task Force from its peers and demonstrates to the public it is worthy of their trust,” he said. RTF President Gary Becks said it is no simple task to receive a top rating from an organization like Charity Navigator. “They examined our books for two years and looked at every aspect of our operations,” he said. “Charity Navigator was extremely thorough in its quantitative approach to measuring RTF’s performance. I could not be more proud of our donors and the many RTF volunteers who made this recognition possible,” Becks said. According to Stamp, The New York Times, NPR, and The Chronicle of Philanthropy have examined the way Charity Navigator applies data driven analysis to the charitable sector. “We evaluate ten times more charities than our nearest competitor and currently attract more visitors to our website than all other charity rating groups combined, thus making us the leading charity evaluator in America.” Stamp said, “Charity Navigator, America’s premier charity evaluator, highlights the fine work of efficient charities such as [RTF], and provides donors with essential information needed to give them greater confidence in the charitable choices they make.” >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Men and boys raced across a pasture used as an impromptu soccer field. Shouts of victory and frustration were barked in the Miskito dialect spoken by villagers in the remote Honduran village of Uhsan. Rescue Task force volunteer Dan Conaway was amazed by what he saw next. The hot and thirsty villagers, men, women, and children, quenched their thirsts by drinking water, collected in pots straight from the river. Conaway said, “That water has cattle droppings, soap from clothes washing, pollywogs and all the awful parasites you can imagine, and they’re drinking it straight.” Recent statistics from the World Health Organization show that 1.5 million people die every year from diarrhea related diseases associated with an unsafe water supply. Children, under the age of five who live in developing countries, account for 90 percent of those deaths. Rescue Task Force (RTF) is working to change those numbers and to improve the quality of life for those living along the Miskito Coast of Honduras. RTF plans to bring affordable water filtration systems to people living in isolated jungle villages. Conaway said there is a simple, appropriate-technology solution to this drinking water problem. Specially constructed clay pots either impregnated with or coated with Colloidal Silver, a natural antibiotic, are used to filter water into a collection container. The filtration pots hold about four gallons of water and drain at a rate of one-to-two l |