Shanna Clark teaches 7th grade history at the Arts Impact Middle School in Columbia, Ohio. Apparently that's not all she teaches; she's taught her students that every penny does count. And, in this case, it adds up to providing shelter for the Haitians. Since the news of the devastating earthquake over five months ago, her students decided to do something about it. It was a simple plan: get a jar and fill it up with whatever extra change they had in their pockets every day. At the end of the school year, they raised enough money to buy a six-person tent and a canopy. Says Shannon, "I hope these tents will help a family with housing during the rainy months ahead." They will Shannon, thanks to you and your caring students! As I close this I can't help but imagine if every seventh grade classroom in America did the same, how many Haitians would have shelter? How many men, women and children would have a place to call home and be sheltered from the hurricane winds, the seasonal rains and disease....with just a penny or two in a jar every day for a few months. Pretty great lesson, Shanna! Thanks again.

To become an Eagle Scout, the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouts of America’s scouting program, Justin Patton, from Dublin, Georgia, needed to complete one more project - a project which would showcase his leadership, planning and community service.

Instead of reaching out to the local community, in the aftermath of the Haitian earthquake, Justin reached out to TentsforHaiti to see what he could do...and then he reached out to his church, his community, local scouting organizations and the people of Georgia to let them know what they could do.

"By the end of April," says Justin, "we had collected 66 tents, most of which we bought with the monetary donations we received. When we added up the sleeping capacity, we had found there was enough tents to shelter over 400 people. But the best part was that we were able to get the tents to Miami in time to leave May 12, before the hurricane seasons." Justin and his father packed up a van and drove the tents to our warehouse the day before our latest shipment sailed to Haiti.

"What I've learned most from this experience," says Justin, "is that even though places like Haiti seem to distant to help, we at home can always lend a hand." What we've learned and continue to learn is that one person really can make a difference in the lives of many. Thanks to Justin, his family and friends and the folks in Georgia for making that difference.

Other Scouts want to get involved? Learn more about what Justin did, click here.

Last week, the first of two plane rides transported family-sized and classroom tents directly to those in need in Port au Prince and Jacmel, Haiti. A generous donor from California offered us her pilot and we said, Yes. Our crew met them at the Miami airport with about 100 tents for transport. TentsforHaiti volunteer John Moffett met our donors Ariana and Armando (who flew in from California that morning) at the airport to load the tents and send them on their way. Thanks to all who helped from the crew at our Hialeah warehouse to Sarah Cool, who coordinated the activities from Kansas City. Next on deck: 20' container of more tents set to sail Thursday, May 20! But keep 'em coming, gang, help us continue to make a difference.

"Little by little." It's become somewhat of our slogan of late as tents come to us ever so often but never enough to fill a container. One week, one or two tents will be shipped to us and then another week, we'll get twenty or more. We try to lift our spirits with the receipt of just one more tent to fill our container to send to those in need. Because little by little we know it will eventually add up to a lot. And it's finally happened.

The fundraisers, the drives, the organizers are starting to really deliver: 52 Tents from our Houston friends, 40 classroom tents from Beyond Borders outreach programs, over a dozen tents from a fundraising effort by Global Village. That plus all of the generous contributions from individuals around the country, we'll be shipping a first tents-only shipment within the next two weeks.

How did Melinda, working on-the-ground in Haiti, respond to the news? "This is so exciting! We are in desperate needs of tents in PAP and Jacmel."

It always surprises me to hear that desperation; I know so many have given and assume all is good in Haiti but there are still hundreds of thousands of Haitians that need a place to call home. Thanks to all who contributed thus far; your generosity will provide real refuge from the storms. But, keep them coming: tell your friends - we need so many more to make an impact!

Little by little, together, we make a difference. Help, dear Haiti, is on its way...

Monday moring is going to be a busy and happy day for us at our Hileah warehouse! That's when the Phifer trucks will be delivering over 700 rolls of insect netting in various shapes and sizes. Since its establishment in 1952, Phifer’s achievements in the manufacture of aluminum screening and its innovative additions of fiberglass and specialty screening products have enabled the company to become the world’s largest screen producer.

These screens are typically used for traditional window and door applications as well as larger openings, such as pool and porch enclosures. But these screens will be used to help protect the Haitians from disease and torment that insects can carry.

Jeff Rivers, VP of International Sales at Phifer, noticed that we recommended donors send us tents with mosquito netting; he then asked if we'd be interested in fiberglass insect screening. Naturally, we said yes! Jeff actually inspired TentsforHaiti to begin our partnership with KonPay, so we could offer tax-exemption status for Haiti earthquake relief contributions.

We hope this generous donation from Phifer inspires other organizations to donate materials that will help provide shelter, such as tarps, poles, waterproofing, and more. Corporate monetary gifts are also encouraged to help purchase desperately needed family-sized and classroom tents, and to help offset our shipping costs from Miami to Haiti. Thank you Jeff, Darlene, Jeremy and all of you behind-the-scenes at Phifer for making a difference. You inspire us. We hope your actions inspire others to give what they can before hurricane season begins in June.