Local residents join relief efforts for Haiti

Relief efforts for Haiti in the Carson City region are ramping up after an earthquake devastated the island nation last week, so far killing an estimated 200,000 people.

Nicole Morrison, 34, of Reno, is organizing a donation drive today and Thursday for orphans in Haiti who are without shelter and basic necessities. Donations can be dropped off at the Carson City Harley Davidson, 2900 Research Way, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Morrison, who decided to organize the donation drives after seeing the orphans on cable news reports, asks donors to bring formula, diapers, wipes, Pedialyte, temporary shelter, infant Tylenol, diaper rash cream, bottles and sippy cups, blankets, sheets, children's cold medicine and antibiotics.

"I said my $10 is not enough," Morrison said. "That led me to call everyone I know."

Morrison said she has asked Gov. Jim Gibbons to order the Nevada Army National Guard to either fly or drive the donated goods to Colorado Springs, Colo., this weekend where a non-profit there called Cloud of Fire: Haiti will then transport the goods to Haiti.

Daniel Burns, the governor's spokesman, said the U.S. Department of Defense is coordinating the effort to transport donated goods from around the nation to Haiti. While there were no specifics on Tuesday, Burns said "the material that is being donated will make its way to Haiti, it's just a question of when and how."

The Burlington Coat Factory in Carson City will also accept donations to the Red Cross through Feb. 17.

Meanwhile, two Carson City college students say they are doing what they can to help.

Logan Young, 22, and partner Scott Banks, 19, are selling $10 "Hope for Haiti" T-shirts with all of the proceeds going to the Red Cross relief effort in the country.

Young said he makes T-shirts as a hobby and decided last week with Banks to make one to help generate funds for Haiti.

"We stuck stuff on the Internet and it just exploded," said Young, adding the burgeoning T-shirt venture has attracted 18 orders so far with 50 inquires from around the nation.

Young and Banks are students at Western Nevada College.

"At our age we have to be active about all this stuff," Young said.