Heinz Kerry Helps With Relief Effort
Teresa Heinz Kerry, encouraging volunteers as they busily packed supplies Wednesday for hurricane relief efforts in the Caribbean, said she was concerned the effort was too focused on sending clothes instead of essentials like water and electric generators.
“Clothing is wonderful, but let them go naked for a while, at least the kids,” said Heinz Kerry, the wife of Democratic presidential candidate John F. Kerry. “Water is necessary, and then generators, and then food, and then clothes.”
Heinz Kerry stopped by a market in Brooklyn’s Caribbean community, where she spoke French with Haitian vendors and shook hands with volunteers busy packing food, clothes and other relief supplies to be shipped to several Caribbean islands hit by Hurricane Ivan.
Her husband’s campaign also donated supplies.
Ivan swept through the Caribbean last week, killing more than 60 people and leaving tens of thousands homeless.
Dr. Roy A. Hastick Sr., president of the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and coordinator of the market’s relief effort, said the visit helped make difficult days a bit brighter.
Supporters shouted “We love you!” as Heinz Kerry walked to a car.
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