LYNDEN, Wash. - Long before the Haitian earthquake, a lot of people from Western Washington had a connection with the country. In Whatcom County that connection runs especially deep.
For Bernie Bovenkamp, it all started with a trip to Haiti nearly 20 years ago. When Bernie and his wife returned to their home in Lynden, they decided to sponsor two Haitian orphans.
In time, they began running an orphanage. Today, their faith based "Starfish Ministries" takes care of 6,500 Haitian children. They build them schools, drill wells for clean drinking water and feed them.
"We don't know where the money is gonna come from to feed these 6,500 kids every month," said Bovenkamp, "but the money is always there."
A short drive away in Ferndale, we find Nina Thompson playing with 14-month-old Bear. He was Born in Haiti with a host of birth defects. Bear came to the U.S. about a year ago, sponsored by the "Medical Advocacy Group". Thompson runs it with her sister, bringing Haitian children like Bear to the U.S. for medical treatment.
"Haiti is a country that deserves and needs our help," said Thompson.
Why this deep connection to Haiti in Whatcom County? Many became involved years ago when an outreach group called "Childcare Worldwide" moved its headquarters from California to Bellingham.
But really, it's about people.
"I think the people of our area really have hearts for the needy," said Bovenkamp, "and are really generous."
"It really hit me that we have so much and they have so little," he added.
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