With The Haitian Consul of NY rallying local communities get basic medical/health/sanitation supplies for victims of the devastating earthquake in Haiti see link http://www.haitianconsulate-nyc.org/index_en.html. A major community drive is underway in Long Island City to collect supplies of food, medicines, first aid equipment, clothing and blankets. I am coordinating the campaign from my apt 4720, apt 2805, the drive is also being supported by Vernon Pharmacy, who has created medical care packages for Haiti, and Foodcellar and Co, which along with my house is serving as a drop off point for collections.  

Vernon Pharmacy is offering three basic care packages at 3 price points $10 (Package A – basic hygiene), $25 (Package B – medications), $30 (Package C – Johnson & Johnson First Aid Kit). They can be purchased in store or by calling 718.361.7390. Alternatively if you are going there to fill a prescription or purchase items you can buy an add on item and earmark it for “Help Haiti”. Vernon Pharmacy will also donate $100 of supplies for every $1000 raised through the sale of the care packages. Showing that a business that already works hard for the health and wellbeing of one community, can extend their reach internationally.

Anybody wanting to find out more about the Long Island City Community Drive “Help Haiti” can call 718.606.2953 between the hours of 9.30am and 9pm for details.

Best,

Rebecca Smith-Tolley

I really hesitated posting this response, as I have no intention of dissuading anyone from supporting relief efforts for Haiti.  But, the initial post got my antenna up.  It seemed more like a post written by Vernon Pharmacy, rather than a call for help. 

I hope I’m wrong. I hope Vernon is altruistically selling the items at no profit. I hope this wasn’t just a manipulation to increase sales.   I hope the amount of text devoted to Vernon and the fawning tone is justified.  I hope there’s a legitimate reason to devote most of the post to Vernon, rather than Foodceller, or other methods of support going on in Queens. 

Sending supplies (even if they’re making someone a profit) is still a good thing.  But, I don’t like the feeling that I’m being manipulated, even by a so-called “business that already works hard for the health and wellbeing of (the) community.”

Hello -

The post has not been put up by Vernon Pharmacy, I put it up.

I have been coordinating a drive within Long Island City, for food, medicine and clothing for the people of Haiti, working directly with Foodcellar, which is a drop off point for supplies, along with my apt (2805, in 4720), after Tuesday, which is when I was originally collecting till, many people called me and asked me if there was any other way in which they could participate and I came up with this idea as a means of driving the medical supplies part (see Haitian Consul weblink). Duane Reade would not even put up my first flyer for the initial drive, because they were already doing things as a "major corporation". Because the Consul are heavily involved in coordinating the delivery of goods, I felt like I could confidently elaborate on my initial outreach to play an active role in getting the supplies on the ground. Hence I made contact with Vernon Pharmacy.

Vernon Pharmacy as a local "Mom and Pop" business worked hard to come up with these packages, and they are making donations to the cause. I thought it was a great way for our community to collectively come together over a cause and I invite any other local businesses bars/restaurants etc to contact me if they have any ideas about how we can do things in the spirit of community over the coming weeks/months, it was heartwarming the way that everybody responded already (sorry if that sounds sentimental or fawning).

I for one fully appreciate Vernon Pharmacy's support, hence the positive promoting tone in one sentence!! Please note, the rest of the paragraph was directly related to what is needed, what is being done and how much that would cost a potential participant. This was never meant to offend. It was meant to inform and help.

If you do have any questions or ideas feel free to call me on 718.606.2953, or stop by the apartment to find out more.

Kind regards,

Rebecca Smith-Tolley   

Thanks for clearing it up. I'm glad to hear that they are selling them at cost and not making a profit on the packages.