Families with Powell roots demonstrate love, generosity and hope for HaitiansEarly last week, organizers of a charity called Wish for Haiti were making plans to build a new orphanage, school, medical clinic and demonstration farm in Haiti's capital city, Port-au-Prince. The charity, spearheaded by several former Powell residents, was in “dreaming phase,” as one member wrote.A day after the Wish for Haiti board worked on its plans, a catastrophic earthquake severely crippled the already-suffering nation of Haiti — bringing the group's dreams to a sudden halt. Last week's disaster wrought incredible suffering, widespread destruction and untold death.Wish for Haiti is now operating in crisis mode.The group is seeking aid for an orphanage destroyed in the earthquake — the House of the Children of the Lack. It's an orphanage close to the hearts of three Powell families. Bob and Marlene Gallagher's three daughters — Leslie, Tracy and Gina — have Haitian daughters who once lived at the orphange. Wes and Colleen Metzler, whose son Nick is married to Tracy (Gallagher), and Stan and Florence Christensen, whose son Jimmy is married to Leslie (Gallagher), are paternal grandparents to two of the Haitian children.Through the adoptions, the families formed a close relationship with the orphanage, eventually creating Wish for Haiti.For a few years, the Gallagher sisters, their husbands, families and friends have helped Haitians who are poor and suffering. After last week's devastating earthquake, it's time for the rest of us to follow suit.Checks made payable to Kata Loukan can be mailed to: Wish for Haiti, C/O Leslie Christensen, 6312 Holy Cross Lane, Castle Rock, CO 80108.Financial help and prayers will help ensure that Wish for Haiti's dreams altered by last week's earthquake still can come true.

Families with Powell roots demonstrate love, generosity and hope for Haitians

Early last week, organizers of a charity called Wish for Haiti were making plans to build a new orphanage, school, medical clinic and demonstration farm in Haiti's capital city, Port-au-Prince.

The charity, spearheaded by several former Powell residents, was in “dreaming phase,” as one member wrote.

A day after the Wish for Haiti board worked on its plans, a catastrophic earthquake severely crippled the already-suffering nation of Haiti — bringing the group's dreams to a sudden halt. Last week's disaster wrought incredible suffering, widespread destruction and untold death.

Wish for Haiti is now operating in crisis mode.

The group is seeking aid for an orphanage destroyed in the earthquake — the House of the Children of the Lack.

It's an orphanage close to the hearts of three Powell families. Bob and Marlene Gallagher's three daughters — Leslie, Tracy and Gina — have Haitian daughters who once lived at the orphange. Wes and Colleen Metzler, whose son Nick is married to Tracy (Gallagher), and Stan and Florence Christensen, whose son Jimmy is married to Leslie (Gallagher), are paternal grandparents to two of the Haitian children.

Through the adoptions, the families formed a close relationship with the orphanage, eventually creating Wish for Haiti.

For a few years, the Gallagher sisters, their husbands, families and friends have helped Haitians who are poor and suffering. After last week's devastating earthquake, it's time for the rest of us to follow suit.

Checks made payable to Kata Loukan can be mailed to: Wish for Haiti, C/O Leslie Christensen, 6312 Holy Cross Lane, Castle Rock, CO 80108.

Financial help and prayers will help ensure that Wish for Haiti's dreams altered by last week's earthquake still can come true.