“It’s part of who we are, as a church and as a people, to reach out and help those beyond ourselves,” said Metzler. “They’ve had so many troubles with the earthquake, crime, corruption, disease. It’s just been one thing after another. “We know it’s a small thing, but it’s a step in the right direction.”

South Mecklenburg Presbyterian Church in Ballantyne is sending disaster relief trailers to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, to offer support to those suffering from the aftermath of the January 2010 earthquake.

“We think we have problems, but they are nothing compared to the problems of the people in Haiti,” said Charlie Metzler, one of seven leaders of the church’s community outreach committee.

The two trailers are part of a larger fleet owned by Presbytery of Charlotte’s Disaster Relief Team. The trailers have been in New Orleans for the past three years, where they helped an estimated 60,000 victims of Hurricane Katrina.

The 28-foot-long trailers were used as bathroom and laundry facilities in Louisiana. Each trailer has eight restrooms, four for men and four for women. Metzler said that although bathrooms don’t sound like much, they were greatly needed.

“Conditions were unsanitary and the trailers really helped clean up the area,” said Metzler.

When the trailers go to Haiti, the washers and dryers will be removed and medical supplies will be added. The trailers are also equipped with heaters, which will be removed and replaced with fans. Before they are sent to Haiti, the trailers will be filled with as much clothing and food as possible.

Read more:

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/02/02/2017524/church-answers-call-for-help-in.html#ixzz1D1JYoEEa