Local men deliver money, supplies to Haitian quake victims

When two Petaluma men left for Haiti this week, they took more than money and supplies for earthquake victims. They also took the love and prayers of a Petaluma school and church.

Not content to ship off the donations from 360 Church of Petaluma and Harvest Christian School, Colton Irving and Mark Ziegenhagen will personally deliver the donation and remain in the devastated country for a week to assist missionary workers already operating out of the Dominican Republic.

The Petalumans will be taking not only familiar items such as medical supplies and clothing, but will also concentrate on the Haitian youngsters, bringing with them Hot Wheels toy cars, dolls and an assortment of sporting goods. They will also bring close to $2,000 in funds collected from the church and youngsters at the school.

“We had kindergartners drop in their pennies and Chucky-Cheese coins,” Irving said. “One student donated his lunch money.”

The personal delivery was made possible by the connection between the local church and school and the Isaiah 61 Missions, established in the Dominican Republic last June by former Petalumans Chuck and Mia Gallo and their son, Mark.

Irving is the founder of 360 Church of Petaluma and executive director of Harvest Christian School, a private Christian school for kindergarten through ninth-graders. Ziegenhagen, an executive for Auto Desk, is a founding member of the church.

Irving and Ziegenhagen will fly to Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic, where the Gallos will meet them and take them on what shapes up as a harrowing 12-hour journey over unpaved roads into Haiti to the small town of Jimini, near the capital of Port-au-Prince.

Irving said the Gallos have told him to expect a wave of people now returning to the Dominican Republic after initially deserting their home towns to travel to Haiti to look for missing relatives following the earthquake.

“Now they’re coming back to the Dominican Republic, along with their relatives who have no homes left in Haiti,” Irving explained.

Irving and Ziegenhagen are taking as much Petaluma bounty as United Airlines will allow them to check and carry onto the airplane, about 400 pounds.

Included will be the special gifts for the children. “Kids are kids,” said Irving. “They need to play. We’ve been told that the Haitian kids love Hot Wheels, little dolls and just love to play baseball.” Irving is taking along his own baseball glove just in case a game should break out.

Irving and Ziegenhagen will do more than deliver the donations.

“Mark and I are going to help wherever we can,” Irving said. “We’ll be of assistance physically as well as spiritually. Our main goal is to help those giving aid.”

There is also the satisfaction of knowing that the toys, medicines, clothes and other supplies will get to the people in need.

“It was our thinking that if we were going to gather the stuff, it would be great to deliver it personally. It would get to the people who need it, and it gives the kids a way to help in a bigger cause.” Irving said.

“Our students have always had a commitment of giving back to the community,” said Harvest Christian School principal Jonathan Wraith. “This gives us a chance to help in a different situation. We are able to respond directly to another country. The response from the students has been great.”

Irving said the local help is just a start.

“We hope to partner with Isaiah 61 in years to come to help the people of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. There is a great deal of need,” he said.

(Contact John Jackson at acsports@arguscourier.com)