Monday, January 23, 2012 

FIH Clinic Update from Audrey Hunter

Forward in Health continues to make headway towards completing Phase I of the health clinic in Fonde Frede, Haiti.  Walls are up, permanent stairs are being installed, there is talk about doors and windows being installed soon, and plumbing and electricity add to our optimism about a vision for a permanent clinic providing healthcare to the Les Cayes area of Haiti.
We are very fortunate to have Hal, who brings his expertise in construction to FIH and has taken time out of his personal life to live in Haiti and oversee the construction.

I look forward to my next trip to Haiti to be present when the first clients walk through the doors to receive much-needed services. Having been to Haiti on medical trips with FIH both prior to and after the earthquake will make this future trip especially exciting.

Stay tuned for the progress,

Audrey Hunter




3:12 PM | |

Wednesday, December 14, 2011 

Landmark Relationship

Monday December 12, 2011 the Forward in Health board made a unanimous decision designed to both complete the first phase of our mission, bringing healthcare to the people of Fondefred, Haiti, and also ensure our future. FIH is proud and excited to announce the signing of an agreement and relationship with Seven Hills Global Outreach (SHGO). Seven Hills Global Outreach, an affiliate of Seven Hills Foundation , has partnerships in seven third world countries, including Haiti. They bring both a passion, knowledge, and expertise about how to make lasting changes in developing countries with an eye toward sustainability.


During his presentation to the FIH board Dr. David Jordan, president of Seven Hills Foundation and a professor at Clark University in Worcester, Ma, stressed that non-profits organizations such as Forward in Health cannot sustain themselves relying on donations and fundraisers. These forms of financing have a place, however organizations relying on these forms of funding are not sustainable.


Dr. Jordan, along with Ashley Emerson-Gilbert, director of Seven Hills Global Outreach, traveled in October, 2011 to Fondefred, Haiti with FIH president Dr. John Mulqueen. They spent time learning what FIH has accomplished and short term plans. They also had meetings with the mayor of Les Cayes, the Les Cayes Chamber of Commerce, and 15 leaders of the Fondefred community. Dr. Jordan was able to identify a service for FIH that he believes will ensure a steady financial stream to FIH as a means of supporting the medical clinic and also be one source of financing for future construction.


Under the agreement SHGO will provide FIH with an experienced management team in the US and in Haiti, along with personnel to aide in marketing, finance and budgeting. Just as important will be the expertise and visionary skills of Seven Hills president Dr. Jordan.

The future of Forward in Health, and therefor the future of the impoverished people of Fondefred, has never been brighter. Adding this alliance to our recently completed five year strategic plan and dedicated  and passionate board is a recipe for success for FIH "for today, tomorrow, and a lifetime!"



3:06 PM | |

Friday, November 11, 2011 

FIH Truck filled with supplies

 



























Paul Demeo, John Mulqueen, and Bob Hurtubise




















Gardner High Haiti Club Packs the truck

Sunday November 11, 2011 a truck filled with construction items, medical supplies, and clothing will leave Gardner, Massachusetts for Miami, Florida. The 24 foot box truck will then depart on a cargo ship for Haiti. Word has spread that Paula and John Mulqueen are sending supplies to Haiti in a box truck. The truth is that John and Paula could never accomplish all that has been done to fill and ship the truck. It has taken a mix of people, most who have never been to Haiti, who have volunteered their time and donated money and supplies. 

  The story begins with Matt Robinson, brother of our board member Audrey Hunter and the president of Industrial Packaging Supply. Matt  contacted Steve Robinson of Apple Truck and Trailer Sales of Auburn, Ma. Steve had a box truck for sale. After Steve went through the truck and fixed what needed fixing Matt Robinson, a long time generous supporter of FIH, bought the truck for FIH.


The truck was picked up by members of the Gardner Lions Club Steve Cormier and John Mulqueen Senior. They drove the truck from Auburn to Gardner where space to store the truck was provided by Bob Hurtubise, Gardner Lion and owner of 101 Storage.


It was now time to gather construction items needed to complete construction of the FIH medical clinic in Fonfrede, Haiti. Number 1 on the list was a cement mixer. Up to now cement has been mixed with a stick on the ground. Money for the cement mixer was donated by the Woonsocket, R.I. Rotary Club. FIH board member Sr. Theresita belongs to the Rotary and they were accepting applications for an international project.


The next big item we needed was a 4 wheeler for Hal Seifert who is overseeing construction in Haiti. If there is extended rain Hal cannot reach the clinic site on his motorcycle. Terri Langlois, a nurse at Heywood Hospital in Gardner who has traveled with FIH to Haiti, spoke with the people at Cycle Design in Athol, Ma. They had a used 4 wheeler and the money to purchase it was donated by FIH board members Audrey Hunter and Sandy Hartnett. 


Donations continued to come in. Some were financial like  donations from the Fitchburg and Westminster Lions Clubs after Gardner Lion Paul Demeo put the word out. Paul also obtained 7 new combination windows from J & R Glass and has provided invaluable knowledge time purchasing plumbing supplies. 

14 new sinks were donated by Brian Gauther of Bub's Plumbing in Gardner. The sinks are Caribbean colors. He has had them for years because no one liked the colors. We do! 


Electrical supplies have been donated by Joe Favulli from Favulli Electric in Worcester, Raborne Electric, Bob Anderson, and John Ghones.  

Members of the Gardner High Haiti Club have volunteered twice to help with loading items into the truck. FIH board members Paula Mulqueen and Gerry McGuire provided leadership loading the truck. Tools have been donated by long time supporters Scott Huntoon and John and Addy Shinnick.

Finally we needed to find a shipping company that goes to Haiti and a driver to get the truck to Miami. Annie Reynaud from Global Panel Solutions provided invaluable assistance finding a shipping company and how to get the truck quickly out of customs in Haiti. Bob Hurtubise found our driver; Templeton firefighter Doug Wheeler. Doug will drive the loaded truck to Miami for FIH.  

Clearly this has turned into a community effort. This again proves that FIH is a group effort. The work of the many supporters of FIH should be proud of the many hands involved to help raise the health care of the people in Fonfrede.

3:30 PM | |

Tuesday, October 11, 2011 

Lunch with Troy Brown Raffle

It is that time of the year again and thanks to the generosity of Narragansett Beer, Troy Brown, and Jimmy Kraskouskas of Anthony's Liquor Mart in Gardner FIH is proud to announce our second raffle for lunch with Troy Brown. Only 500 tickets are being sold at $25 each.  Proceeds this year to benefit FIH wing Forward in Hope supplying food, clothing, and help with education to 30 destitute boys in Fondefred.


First prize is one of a kind:
Lunch for 4 with former New England Patriot wide receiver Troy Brown courtesy of Narragansett beer, plus  
San Diego Chargers official game helmet autographed by Gardner High graduate Jacques Cesaire and by Corey Liuget the 2011 #1 Draft choice of the Chargers, plus  
2 tickets to the Patriots/Colts game Sunday 12/4/11.

Second Prize:
4 tickets to the Patriots/Chiefs game 11/21/11 at Gillette Stadium plus
4 passes to the Dana-Farber Pre Game Tailgate Party.


Third Prize:
2 tickets to the Patriots/Chiefs game 11/21/11 at Gillette Stadium 


For tickets contact FIH at jmulqueen@forwardinhealth.org or call FIH at 978-632-6900 and leave a message. 

4:23 PM | |

Thursday, September 15, 2011 

Sister City Golf Tournament

Tomorrow is the first Sister City Golf Tournament at the Gardner Municipal Golf Course. This kicks off and celebrates the inauguration as Gardner, Ma and Fondefred, Haiti become Sister Cities. FIH is the proud recipient of the proceeds. Over 60 golfers, an Octoberfest Dinner, and many donated auction and raffle items complete the celebration.
 
Thanks to all who have worked so hard, especially Jimmy Krasouskas owner of Anthony's Liquor Mart who inspired the Sister City idea and Golf Tournament, Debbie Orre co-chair and tireless worker, Ben Eagan of the Gardner Golf Course, and Gardner Mayor Mark Hawke.

9:43 PM | |

Sunday, September 11, 2011 

Items needed for Supply Truck Going to Haiti


Forward in Health has received a generous donation of a 24 foot 2001 Sterling box truck. Matt Hogan, president of Industrial Packaging Supply Co. of Auburn, Ma., became aware of the need for a box truck by FIH and pledged to either find a donated truck or pay for one himself. True to his word Matt paid for the truck. Obtaining the truck was greatly facilitated by Steve Robinson, owner of Apple Truck and and Trailer Sales of Auburn, Ma.

We have comprised an extensive list of supplies needed to complete construction for phase 1 of the medical clinic. Once completed the medical clinic will provide access to life saving medical care to 15,000 currently trying to survive without.

We are in need of supplies to fill the truck before shipping. If you have ever desired to help with construction of the FIH medical clinic from afar please look at the list below for needed supplies.

The truck is located in Gardner at 101 Storage and supplies
can be dropped off at their office or email FIH at paulamulqueen74@gmail.com for a scheduled pick up. The truck will ship to Haiti in the middle of October.

12-2 wire - 1000 ft.

14-2 wire - 1000 ft.

150 plugs (outlets)

50 switches

400 amp panel

200 amp panel

100 amp panel-2

Breakers to match the panels (same manufacturer)

24 and 32 foot Aluminum Extension ladders

Rebar cutter/bender

20 42 inch ceiling fans

Plumbing fixtures.

Skill saw, extra blades.

12 Electrical wire strippers.

12 Utility knives.

5 Electrical testers.

2 ½ yard diesel cement mixers.

12 Rain coats.

2 four wheel vehicles.

2 bicycles.

Small and medium sized motorcycle gloves

Electric grinders (2) with extra wheels

Medium and large Mucking Boots

4:15 PM | |

Monday, September 05, 2011 

FIH Update

It has been too long since our last blog and update. A lot has been happening. Here are some of the highlights.
Hal Seifert has been home but returns to supervise construction in Haiti October 8th. We are anxious to complete phase 1 of construction and we are still on target to open the doors of the clinic by June 2012.
FIH is fortunate to avail ourselves of the expertise of Legion 13 . Legion 13 is a firm comprised of marketing specialists with big agency backgrounds. They have agreed to help FIH move forward and find ways to get our story out.
FIH is talking with the global outreach arm of Seven Hills Foundation . We are sekiing areas where we can combine our efforts to help the people of Haiti.

9:30 PM | |