Local Group Travels to Hurricane-Ravaged Haiti

The sky was still dark and most of the public was still sleeping; but 5 am wasn't too early for a local group to gather, greet, and leave.

The delegation, composed of elected leaders and citizens, is heading to several cities in hurricane-ravaged Haiti. They will dole out food, clothing, and medical supplies, officials said.

"I've been given the opportunity to make a difference," said Delray Beach Commissioner Mack Bernard, who was born in Port-au-Prince. "Going back over there and delivering the food makes me feel like, you know, I'm giving something back to the country I was born in."

Haiti was hit by four back-to-back hurricanes this summer. Many are homeless and lack basic food and supplies.

The group, which calls itself Palm Beach Haiti Relief, left Wednesday morning and will spend three days handing out vouchers to Haitian citizens. The delegation includes the commissioner of the Port of Palm Beach, as well as the mayors of Riviera Beach and Lake Worth.

"A lot of the residents in the city Lake Worth have relatives back in Saint Marc that have been going through some difficult times," said Lake Worth Mayor Jeff Clemens, whose city is the sister city to Saint Marc. "It's important to them that their own community is reaching out to Saint Marc and really trying to establish a positive relationship with that city."

Although the delegation is spending three days in Haiti, the collection efforts are ongoing. Members of the public can bring food and clothing to the Port of Palm Beach and to the Lake Worth city library and fire department.

The group hopes to head back to Haiti on a quarterly basis for as long as the relief is needed.