Donations Needed For Pittsburgh Sisters At Haiti Orphanage
Posted: 5:33 pm EST January 13,2010Updated: 4:55 pm EST January 15,2010
PITTSBURGH -- Family members of two sisters from Pittsburgh who run an orphanage in Haiti hope to have the women and children in Pittsburgh soon.Jamie McMutrie Heckman and Alison McMutrie, of Ben Avon, live at the orphanage in Port-au-Prince.
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Family members told Channel 11 News that they still aren't sure when both sisters and all of the children will be flying into Pittsburgh International Airport.Approximately 150 children live at the BRESMA orphanage, ranging in age from 1 to 13 years old.The McMutrie family said Jamie and Ali are responsible for about 26 infants and toddlers.Former U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan is reportedly leading the charge to bring the sisters and the children to the United States.Channel 11 spoke Friday with immigration attorney Valerie May, who is working with Buchanan to clear some legal hurdles.“May Law Group has been working with Mary Beth Buchanan and her various contacts to obtain legal approval to bring the Haitian orphans into the United States. It’s a very complex situation and it’s requiring a lot of coordinated effort. We’ll let you know as soon as we have any details that can be released to the public. We’re happy for the community support we’ve received and we’ll need additional support as the children are brought in,” May said.Local organizations have already stepped up, offering housing and medical attention to the children once they arrive.The McMutrie family said there is currently a need for diapers (infant, baby, toddler), powdered baby formula, crackers, snacks, warm coats, winter shoes and bottled water.If you would like to drop off items you can do so at 1212 W. North Ave. in the North Side. Please proceed through the gate. Leave your donations in the right front apartment (1212) on the first floor. The doors will be unlocked. There will be a sign that says "BRESMA Donations.”On Friday, Heckman's husband told Channel 11 News he spoke with his wife twice over the past two days. He said she is OK under the circumstances, but is growing increasingly fearful for her safety and the safety of the children at the orphanage.Doug Heckman said someone will try to get food and water to the girls on Friday.McMutrie said they are staying outside because their buildings are damaged and may not be safe. The woman said it is getting very chilly at night, which is difficult for the children, who stand in a yard holding their Bibles.Many of the children have almost completed the adoption process, but now the sisters are concerned about getting them out of Haiti and to their adoptive homes in the United States and other countries.The sisters' plight has been a hot topic on social networking sites including Twitter and Facebook."Facebook and Twitter have allowed a lot of people to dissemate a large amount of information very quickly and I think that has a large part to do with why so many people have been jumping in and getting involved," Heckman said.The McMutrie family said they are grateful for the support on these sites but said to beware that not everything being blogged about the situation is accurate.The family told Channel 11, “There is a light at the end of the tunnel,” and promised to provide updates as the situation progresses.
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WATCH: Tune In To WPXI At 5 p.m. For New Details
SLIDESHOW: Photos Of Jamie, Alison, Orphans
VIDEO: Former U.S. Attorney Leading Charge To Rescue Orphans
Family members told Channel 11 News that they still aren't sure when both sisters and all of the children will be flying into Pittsburgh International Airport.Approximately 150 children live at the BRESMA orphanage, ranging in age from 1 to 13 years old.The McMutrie family said Jamie and Ali are responsible for about 26 infants and toddlers.Former U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan is reportedly leading the charge to bring the sisters and the children to the United States.Channel 11 spoke Friday with immigration attorney Valerie May, who is working with Buchanan to clear some legal hurdles.“May Law Group has been working with Mary Beth Buchanan and her various contacts to obtain legal approval to bring the Haitian orphans into the United States. It’s a very complex situation and it’s requiring a lot of coordinated effort. We’ll let you know as soon as we have any details that can be released to the public. We’re happy for the community support we’ve received and we’ll need additional support as the children are brought in,” May said.Local organizations have already stepped up, offering housing and medical attention to the children once they arrive.The McMutrie family said there is currently a need for diapers (infant, baby, toddler), powdered baby formula, crackers, snacks, warm coats, winter shoes and bottled water.If you would like to drop off items you can do so at 1212 W. North Ave. in the North Side. Please proceed through the gate. Leave your donations in the right front apartment (1212) on the first floor. The doors will be unlocked. There will be a sign that says "BRESMA Donations.”On Friday, Heckman's husband told Channel 11 News he spoke with his wife twice over the past two days. He said she is OK under the circumstances, but is growing increasingly fearful for her safety and the safety of the children at the orphanage.Doug Heckman said someone will try to get food and water to the girls on Friday.McMutrie said they are staying outside because their buildings are damaged and may not be safe. The woman said it is getting very chilly at night, which is difficult for the children, who stand in a yard holding their Bibles.Many of the children have almost completed the adoption process, but now the sisters are concerned about getting them out of Haiti and to their adoptive homes in the United States and other countries.The sisters' plight has been a hot topic on social networking sites including Twitter and Facebook."Facebook and Twitter have allowed a lot of people to dissemate a large amount of information very quickly and I think that has a large part to do with why so many people have been jumping in and getting involved," Heckman said.The McMutrie family said they are grateful for the support on these sites but said to beware that not everything being blogged about the situation is accurate.The family told Channel 11, “There is a light at the end of the tunnel,” and promised to provide updates as the situation progresses.
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