Tragedy Strikes Close to Home?

[Gatorubet]

Although not confirmed as yet by the Florida Sports Information Department, one Florida board is posting that Wondy Pierre-Louis (Haitian Gator DB most remembered for recovering a botched punt for a TD in the 2006 SECCG) has learned that all of the members of his family found so far did not survive the quake, and that his parents are currently missing...

I pray that this is not true. I urge anyone who can to send a check to the Red Cross for Haitian disaster relief.

Haitian refugee living a dream | The San Diego Union-Tribune

His life story is sort of like the Movie "The Blind Side" with a Hatian flavor. (see linked story above)

Y'all would not know about this, but Wondy had to return to Haiti after graduating high school, and it looked like he would not get a visa to allow him to go to UF. Gator secondary coach Chuck Heater traveled to Port-au-Prince (take that Zook ), and found out after arriving in Haiti that 53 Americans had been kidnapped in Haiti in 2005, and 20 more had been kidnapped in the vicinity of the capital's airport during March.

Heater begged the U.S. Embassy and Haitian government to let Pierre-Louis come to Gainesville. Some time after Heater left the country we learned that Haiti granted a visa to Wondy to come back to the states and play for the Gators.

I hope the story about his family is wrong.

 

[Merih]

I'll pray that this is not the case. As for any possible donations, in the thread that we have going about the earthquake here is some info on how to donate the quickest to the Red Cross:

You can text "Haiti" to 90999, and it will post a $10 donation to the American Red Cross' efforts in Haiti to your next phone bill.

Wow... excellent.

Yeah it's very quick and easy. At 6:25 I texted them, at 6:29 they responded and asked if I was sure and to text them back if I wanted to confirm payment, I texted them YES for confirmation at 6:30, and they sent back confirmation at 6:34.

Take advantage of this quick and easy method folks. I know I'm probably gonna do it a few more times over the next few days.

Again, text "Haiti" to 90999 and then follow the texted directions.

 

[OCBucksFan]

Ouch, my best wishes are with him and his remaining family :( It's easy to think "wow, that's so far away, who cares..." then things like this put reality into perspective, it's a really fucking small world.

 

[Steve19]

An earthquake of this magnitude in a poor country like Haiti is a horrible thing. Still, putting this into perspective, if 100,000 people died in that quake, then that is less than die of TB around the world every month. Even more die of HIV/AIDS. There are lots of charities that do excellent work on very little funding. This kind of thing always reminds me that I could do a bit more to help.

 

[BuckTwenty]

What makes it hit even closer to home for us Buckeye fans was that Wondy was a guy that OSU actively recruited in HS (I believe we were his 1st "big time" offer, and it was starting to get pretty late in the game at that point). I hope and pray that this isn't true. I couldn't imagine what pain he's going through if true.

Wondy Pierre-Louis (BP Thread)

Thoughts and prayers to all affected in this tragedy. Most definetly with Wondy, his family, and his friends. I don't have the funds to give at the moment, but I'll be donating when I get my paycheck next week.