Siblings to help Haitian refugees: Seek used clothing, school supplies

A local brother and sister were so shocked by the poverty they saw while vacationing with their family in the Dominican Republic recently they have decided to do something to help. Since returning home from their April vacation, Miguel, 10, and Angelina Vaccaro, 13, have been collecting used children's clothing and partially used or unneeded school supplies so they can send them to the village of Munoz, where several Haitian refugees live. The village, with its makeshift houses, no running water and garbage in the streets, is in sharp contrast to the nearby beach resort of Playa Dorado. Clothing and toys the Vaccaros delivered to the children of the community while there on vacation were eagerly received and much appreciated. The brother and sister have set up donation boxes in Glen Williams Public School, where Miguel is a Grade 5 student, and Centennial Middle School, where Angelina is in Grade 8. Books are also being collected by the Vaccaros, particularly French books, as the Haitian refugees speak French. The items will be collected in the schools through the end of the school year. Anyone interested in making a donation after school is out is asked to contact the children's mother, Jackie Vaccaro, at 905-873-7443. She said the collected items will be sent to the children of Munoz sometime mid-summer.

Angelina and Miguel Vaccaro are collecting clothing and school supplies for the Haitian refugees living in Munoz, Dominican Republic. Donation boxes are set up in both Glen Williams and Centennial schools through the end of the school year.