As the world continues to muster resources to help the nation of Haiti recover from the massive 7.0 earthquake suffered January 12, many local organizations are finding ways to help too.

Providence Health Systems, parent organization to our local Providence Holy Cross Hospital, is informing employees that they can apply for grants to help volunteer in the devastated country through Providence Health International. Employees with appropriate skills could be helped in their quest to ground zero where they are needed most.

Additionally, Providence Health International is taking donations online at http://www2.providence.org/phs/phi/Pages/donate-online.aspx. The proceeds of these donations will benefit relief efforts.

Providence Health Systems has connections to Haiti; the Sisters of Providence have had a ministry there for several years, and to date, the organization has given out 64 grants to employees for humanitarian aid trips to the country. Providence had also donated medical supplies to a 40-foot container, which shipped from the Catholic Medical Mission Board two weeks ago. That container is still on its way and should arrive in Haiti shortly.