Although many lives were devastated by the earthquake that struck Haiti in January, those who survived it faced additional challenges. A young 11-year old girl named Yadissa was one of those who survived, and this is her story.

Yadissa and her family survived the earthquake, but because of the destruction around them, they had to look for the bare necessities to survive. While going to buy food, she was struck by a vehicle and suffered severe damage to her pelvis.

“She had walked five hours from her rural town into Port-au-Prince with $7 to buy supplies for her family,” said Tina O’Keeffe of Banyan Air Service.

Thanks to C.A.R.E., Yadissa was flown to Banyan at FXE and from there she was taken to Broward General Medical Center where she got the care that she needed.

After weeks of treatment, C.A.R.E. coordinated with Banyan to use of one their hangars to give Yadissa a going home party on Friday March 26^th. Many people who helped Yadissa attended including Dr. Bonnell and his team from Broward General Medical Center, Peter Simpson the pilot who flew her to Banyan, C.A.R.E., and Banyan team members. The next day the GIV crew from Owens-Illinois Inc. flew her home.

Although there is still a lot of work that needs to be done it Haiti, a reunion of a daughter and her family will put a smile on the face of a few.

To watch the story of Yadissa’s landing in Fort Lauderdale visit WSVN-TV 7News, they were at Banyan the night she landed.

To learn more about C.A.R.E. visit their Facebook Page.

To learn more about Banyan become a Fan on Facebook.

A nice compliment in the Twin Commander March Fleet Briefing.

  “BANYAN AT CENTER OF HAITAIN RELIEF EFFORTS

Banyan Air Service, a Twin Commander authorized service center at Ft. Lauderdale Executive Airport, has been a focal point of general aviation Haitian relief efforts.

Immediately after the earthquake Banyan President Don Campion offered Banyan’s help in 24-hour support of aircraft staging for the long flight to Haiti. His wife, Sueanne, quickly became involved in helping to coordinate relief efforts along with Robin Eissler, who established Corporate Aviation Responding in Emergencies (CARE).

They have set up a public Facebook site to chronicle their efforts and recognize the people and companies that have contributed to the relief effort. In early March Eissler reported that since January 12, there have been 670 relief flights to Haiti that have carried 3400 passengers and 1,100,000 pounds of supplies. “Our work continues as we still have about 2-3 flights a day,” she wrote.

For more see http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=345189284760&ref=nf and a YouTube video thanking the many volunteers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GY73K82kFi8.”

To learn about how you can participate in the Haiti relieft vistion the Banyan Haiti Relief Page or contact Robin@Jet-Quest.com or Sueanne@banyanair.com of Corporate Aviation Responding in Emergencies (C.A.R.E.). To follow more about what Banyan is doing, become a Banyan Fan on Facebook or follow Banyan on Twitter.

C.A.R.E (Corporate Aviation Responding in Emergencies) has done so much to assist with the Haiti relief, providing over 1,000,000 lbs of supplies and around the clock flight coordination, and although they have many success stories that will draw on your heart strings, this is just one of those stories.

While on a relief mission to Haiti, C.A.R.E’s first canine passenger, a rescue dog named Tejyl became a hero. Joe (Tejyl’s handler) and Tejyl went down to assist with the devastation of the earthquake and lent a paw in finding people trapped in the Hotel Montana. Amidst the rubble and debris Tejyl befriended a 15 year old girl named Ruthnie, but unlike most young girls, Ruthnie is a double amputee. Although Joe and Tejyl could not help her on their first mission, they did not forget Ruthnie, and with the assistance of C.A.R.E they worked endlessly to find a way to get her out of Haiti and to get her medical help.

 Removing Ruthnie from Haiti was not an easy mission, but Joe, Tejyl and C.A.R.E did not let anything deter them.  After tireless coordination between two governments, four hospitals, two fire departments and a lot of NGOs on March 3^rd their mission was accomplished.

Joe and Tejyl, with the assistance of C.A.R.E went back to Haiti to fly Ruthnie away from the destruction and to Bellevue Hospital in New York where a surgeon had volunteered to provide the medical care Ruthnie so badly needed. Tejyl remained dutifully by Ruthnie’s side. It was as if Tejyl knew through canine senses that Ruthnie was much worse off then everyone originally believed and knew she would need a friend. From the earthquake in Haiti to landing in New York, Ruthnie endured more than most of us could every dream…and though it all she had hope. 

 Banyan was proud to be one of the stops that Ruthnie made on her journey to New York. We are all keeping her in our thoughts and prayers

Jim Parker is a friend of Banyan and frequently flys out of Banyan.

Dear Fellow Pilots,

Two of the more active “hubs” for organizing Haitian relief flights by private aviation volunteers are shutting down:  Bahamas Habitat has ended it’s operation in Nassau and Go-Ministries in Santiago, Dominican Republic is shutting down it distribution/coordination center.  I will continue to take  emails from any of you flying missions for other organization.  Always glad to help with advice or support here on the ground in Santo Domingo.

Commercial flights are now available to Port of Prince from Miami.  Beginning March 12, commercial flights will be available from Santiago and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic to Port of Prince.  There are also commercial flights from Ft Lauderdale to Cape Haitian.  In addition, rhe UN has begun regular passenger service from Port of Prince to Jacmel, Las Cayes and Jeremie from using helicopters and a Cessna Caravan.

Occasional needs will arise to shuttle doctors and medicines from the Dominican Republic to/from outlying Haitian airports but these will be sporadic.  I’ll do what I can to help with my C172RG here in Santo Domingo.

Many of you have flown volunteer missions in support of Haitian relief, donating your time, aircraft and money.  You efforts have made a difference, giving hope and assistance to thousands in desperate need of food, tents and medical care.

Well done and Best Regards,  Jim Parker

to contact Jim email you can email him at jim@caribbeanflyingadventures.com

A nice compliment from FltPlan.com-

“Thanks to Banyan Air Services for Relief Efforts in Haiti

We at FltPlan.com wanted to give special recognition to the efforts of Banyan Air Services at FXE. They have been the heart of the Haiti relief efforts by the general aviation community. It has been a true pleasure to work with them to offer assistance to this important initiative. We would especially like to thank Michael O’Keeffe whose personal involvement with our team and the FAA has been paramount to this mission. We are appreciative that Mike considered FltPlan.com one of the best ways to reach pilots with pertinent information.”

To learn about how you can participate in the Haiti relief visit the Banyan Haiti Relief Page or contact Robin@Jet-Quest.com or Sueanne@banyanair.com of Corporate Aviation Responding in Emergencies (C.A.R.E.)

This is a brief thank you video created by Betty Ballew for all the “Unsung Heroes” who are making a difference in helping with the 2010 Haiti earthquake.

Banyan is proud to be working together with numerous other organizations to help provide relief for Haiti.  Robin Eissler of Corporate Aircraft for Relief Efforts (CARE) is coordinating more than 400 aircraft volunteering lift free of charge.  Windsor Jet is coordinating and warehousing pallets of supplies for flights to Haiti and Banyan provides 24 hour fuel, ground support, crew and passenger coordination. 

US Customs at FXE has extended hours for flights to clear customs from Haiti.  The FXE Airport Operations and Control Tower staff have been very accommodating with complicated flight plans to the small airports in Haiti. 

Hundreds of corporations have donated aircraft, personnel and supplies.  Volunteers assist in repackaging, preparing and loading supplies.  The Red Cross is helping orphans unite with their adopted families.  And there are many many more organizations involved with the efforts at FXE.  Thank you to everyone for everything you are doing to assist.  Your help is so very appreciated.

Aircraft leaving Banyan for Haiti need donations of medical supplies, rice, beans, other food, water, sheets, towels, tents, tarps, flashlights. If you would like to help, bring your donations to Banyan by Tuesday, 1/19/10.

Our company, Banyan Air Services, Inc. at Ft. Lauderdale Executive Airport is a 24-hr operation. We fuel, hangar, perform maintenance, assist passengers and crews with rental cars and hotel accommodations. We provide all services for business/personal aircraft.

These last few days we have provided storage, assisted with ground support, loading and coordination of numerous business aircraft on route to assist with Haiti Relief Efforts. We do not have a fleet of our own aircraft but we support charter companies, corporations and individuals that do have their own aircraft.

As of today, the relief organizations strongly discourage “grass roots” efforts to provide labor or supplies directly to Haiti unless affiliated with an organization on the ground in Haiti as they are often ineffective and lots of scams arise from disasters like this. They suggest getting your direction for relief giving from your church or quality organizations and charities like Red Cross, World Vision, Samaritan Purse, United Methodist Relief Center, Christian Community Foundation of South Florida and many many more. Also, equally important – Prayer for the people of Haiti!

At present the Haiti Port of Prince Airport is open only to authorized relief flights and being operated by the US Military. Crews wanting to get authorization must call the FAA to get properly designated permission as a relief flight. Some aircraft are reporting 2 hour holds above Port of Prince as the airport is full of aircraft from all over the world unloading cargo. Arriving aircraft to Haiti are asked to quickly unload and depart immediately making room for the circling aircraft. With no fuel at Port of Prince some smaller aircraft do not have the range to get in and out with cargo so they are going to Dominican Republic and flying over from there to Cap Haitian airport. It changes by the hour.

You get to us by going 2 miles west of I-95 on Commercial Blvd. then turn north on NE 21st Avenue which is the entrance to Ft. Lauderdale Executive Airport and follow the signs to Banyan Air Service.

Our team is happy help,

Don Campion
President