Government leaders, including Governor David Paterson and Borough President Marty Markowitz were at the New York Army National Guard Armory on Bedford   Avenue in Crown Heights yesterday to call on the public to donate desperately-needed supplies for hurricane relief efforts in Haiti.

Recent hurricanes have left hundreds of residents dead, tens of thousands homeless, and many areas ravaged by hunger, dehydration, destroyed roadways and crumbling infrastructure.

Governor Paterson has directed the opening of the New York Army National Guard Armory in Brooklyn to allow for the collection of donated relief supplies. The facility at 1579 Bedford Avenue at Union Street will be open through September 29th from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Soldiers from the New York National Guard are on hand to receive, sort and prepare for shipment donated items for the citizens of Haiti. In addition, the state is accepting donated items at the Adam Clayton Powell State Office building at 163 West 125th Street at Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. in Harlem . Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The most-needed items include:

  •           Bottled water (packed in cases or six packs at a minimum). Single bottles are inappropriate donations since they will have to be repackaged

•           Rice (dried in bags)

•           Beans (dried only and cans)

•           Sterno canisters

•           Tarpaulin – of any size, preferably 10×10 or larger. It is used for both roofing and flooring

•           Nylon cord (100’ rolls)

•           Hygiene items limited to toothbrushes, toothpaste, mild soaps

•           New underclothes – children sizes

•           New hand towels

  For more information, please email relief@chamber.state.ny.us or call (212) 681-4010.