The tragic earthquake that struck Haiti nearly two weeks ago was a terrible disaster and the community hearts have gone out to those who have lost family members and friends.

People in this devastated country need help and thankfully, organizations and the general public from Lehigh Acres and the Fort Myers area responded promptly to the call for help, said Jos Morillo, Lehigh Regional Medical Center’s chief executive officer.

He said the hospital has sent more than $9,000 from community donors to World Harvest Missions (www.whmnewlife.org), a charitable organization established in 1977 that is actively working to deliver supplies to Haiti.

The hospital has also collected eight trucks, loaded with non-perishable foods, over-the-counter drugs, personal care items and clothing.

“The outpouring of generosity from our community for the Haiti relief effort has been touching,” Morillo said.

Lehigh Regional Medical Center will continue to make sure all over-the-counter drugs and non-perishable foods make it to Haiti through the World Harvest Missions; however, clothing donations will no longer be accepted, he said. For more information, call 239-368-4442.