Haiti native just wants to help relatives devastated back home

Nicole Claude was driving to the grocery store near her Addison home when her cell phone beeped.

"A friend texted me about the earthquake and I was shocked," said the native Haitian. "I immediately started calling my cousin in Port-au-Prince but couldn't get through."

It took another 24 hours, but Claude finally got word about her extended family.

"My aunt was dead and my cousin's house was destroyed," she said. "I was devastated."

In the days since the quake, Claude has poured her energies into volunteering for the American Red Cross. She's one of the hundreds of folks who are working at the Chicago Helps Haiti telethon being held at Hewitt Associates in Lincolnshire.

The Chicago Helps Haiti telethon started at 5 a.m. and runs until 11 p.m. Organizers say nearly every local television and radio station, as well as the Daily Herald and Crain's Chicago Business, are promoting the fundraiser and urging people to call (877) 565-5000 to donate. As of 9:30 p.m., the effort has raised more than $2.5 million for the American Red Cross.

A community nurse, Claude was assigned to assigned to field calls from people interested in directly volunteering for the Red Cross or who had other questions related to helping relief efforts.

Claude was just 14 when she immigrated to the United States in 1974. There was a level of culture shock moving to Chicago, but Claude said that wasn't the hardest part. "Leaving my friends was so hard," Claude said. "I left many behind. I had aunts, uncles and cousins there too."

She's stayed in close contact with her extended family back home and had planned to travel there next month.

"My aunt was 88 years old and I wanted to see her," Claude said. "Now it's too late."

It's not clear how her cousins are dealing with their homelessness. Details are few and far between, Claude said.

As a French-speaking, native Haitian and nurse, Claude is hoping the Red Cross will send her down to help in the coming months.

Knowing her ability to help is limited by distance now, Claude said working the phones is one small way to help the relief effort.

"Most of the calls I've received are from people who want to volunteer in some way," she said. "I've been able to direct them to the right people. It makes me feel so good to see people partnering together to help the Haitian people. We're making it happen."

Red Cross officials said the money will be used for basic needs including water, meals and shelter tents. One hundred tons of Red Cross supplies have arrived in Haiti as of today, officials said.

People can follow updates today on dailyherald.com, the ABC 7 Web site, or on the Chicago Red Cross' Facebook page. Type The American Red Cross of Greater Chicago into the search box to find their fan page, or follow them on Twitter at twitter.com/chicagoredcross.

Officials at the Chicago-based McCormick Foundation said they will match the first $1 million donated at 50 cents on the dollar, for up to $500,000.

"We know that the people of Chicago care deeply, and we are proud to be a part of our hometown's special effort on behalf of our neighbors in Haiti," said Foundation President David Hiller in a statement.

Vernon Hills-based CDW said it will match relief drive donations of $1,000 or more, up to a total match of $100,000, company officials said. The computer and technology company is also matching donations made by its employees, dollar for dollar, up to $2,000 per worker.

"Our coworkers have been moved and saddened by the scope of the disaster and the suffering of the people in Haiti," said spokesman Gary Ross.

Donations also can be made to the Red Cross at chicagoredcross.org/haiti or by texting "Haiti" to 90999. Each text will send $10 to the Red Cross.