Donating Fire Trucks to Poor Countries

[Truck4 48]

Unrest delays fire truck shipment

Published in the Asbury Park Press 6/07/04

By ALISON WALDMAN

COASTAL MONMOUTH BUREAU

RED BANK -- The logistical problems a local nonprofit organization encountered while trying to transport a donated fire truck from New Jersey to Haiti turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

The Atkins International Youth Foundation had raised enough money by donation to transport the pumper, a 1972 Spring Lake Heights fire truck, to the island. But finding a carrier to move the truck by boat proved difficult, said Joseph Atkins of Red Bank, a member of the organization.

Just as details of the move seemed to fall into place in February, a wave of political unrest and violence broke out on the Caribbean nation, forcing the foundation to put plans for the move on hold.

The police station in Ouanaminthe, where the fire truck would have been stored if the move had been successful, was burned down by rebels during the uprising, Atkins said.

"That's why I say God is in the picture," said Atkins, a 71-year-old retired Army Sergeant Major. "And he always is with us."

The fire truck remains in storage in Cranford, but that location is only temporary. The foundation will take steps to move the truck again once the island has settled, Atkins said.

After years of undertaking projects on the island, including operating a school to educate and feed 200 children for the last six years, Atkins said obstacles to their work are frequent and many.

"We run into all kinds of adversities," he said. "We are going to persevere."

The fire truck is just a small piece of a bigger goal the foundation is undertaking to educate the island's children. Plans are in the works to build a new school on a six-acre property to replace the bamboo shacks where students now attend classes, Atkins said.

It will cost about $70,000 to build the first of three buildings for the school and the entire project will cost about $250,000, said Gretchen Kopf, secretary of the foundation. The foundation will apply for federal grants, hold fund raisers and collect donations for the project, Atkins said.

"These kids are very, very important to me," said Atkins, who returned from a visit to Haiti just over a month ago.

Plans for the new school are being drawn up. Atkins said he will likely return to Haiti in August, when a well for the school is to be dug.

"There is no turning back," he said. "This is God's business and I know in my heart that this is what I need to be doing."

Donations can be sent to the Atkins International Youth Foundation. P.O. Box 8516, Red Bank, NJ 07701. For more information contact Kopf at (732) 224-0366 or e-mail atkinsyouth@aol.com.

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