All winter, Tahoe local Brenda Zimmerman was in charge of making sure each GrassRoots United relief flight bound for earthquake-ravaged Haiti was loaded with antibiotics, de-worming medicine, and medical volunteers.
In March, the roles were reversed and the Sierra Nevada College graduate boarded a plane to Haiti herself. Zimmerman’s main mission was to lay the groundwork for a future volunteer trip to the island. But she also found time to volunteer at hospitals, distribute water-purifying ‘lifestraws,’ and work on rebuilding, sanitation, and education projects around the nation’s impoverished capital, Port au Prince.
‘Haiti needs so much. It is really an amazing place, full of music, smiles, and beautiful people,’ Zimmerman said.
Zimmerman, along with fellow SNC alumnus Maia Rowland, have been involved in the Haiti relief effort since January, and were aided by a March fundraiser at Truckee’s Bar of America.
‘I am constantly amazed at the people I meet — from VPs of international companies to local Haitian Americans —and by their kindness and generosity,’ Zimmerman said.
Zimmerman will continue her work as logistics manager for GrassRoots United from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
~ David Bunker
