By Jessica Tuggle

jtuggle@hometownnewsol.com

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY - Regina Edmond travels back and forth from the U.S. and Haiti to visit her husband often, but never had such a harrowing experience as when an earthquake shook the ground and caused building after building to crumble.

"This will stay with me forever," Ms. Edmond said.

Ms. Edmond was one of millions of people in Haiti taken completely off guard when a 7.0-magnitude quake, the strongest earthquake in more than two centuries, rocked the small island on Jan. 12.

"The oldest person I saw there was about 80 years old and she'd never seen anything like it," Ms. Edmond said.

Subsequent aftershocks have reached a magnitude of 6.1.

"There was no one there who could tell us what was going on; the cell phones were down. We thought it was personal. We had no idea what was going on in the other cities," Ms. Edmond said.

Knowing she needed to leave the country as quickly as possible for her safety, Ms. Edmond, who was only 45 minutes away from the U.S. Embassy, took her bags and made her way. It took her more than four hours to reach her destination.

While passing city after city on the way, Ms. Edmond said she saw countless dead bodies lying by the gates.

After waiting more than six hours for a plane, Ms. Edmond was able to fly back to the U.S. Now, her mind is focused on her family members still on the island and the overwhelming needs that need to be met.

Residents of Indian River County have moved quickly to raise both financial donations for Haiti relief efforts, and physical donations of food and medical supplies.

Sebastian Inlet Marina was one of the collection drop-off locations in the north county/Micco area, said Joe Main of Sebastian Inlet Marina. The city of Vero Beach has also served as a drop off location for needed items.

Wanda Scott, Alfonso Chester and other Gifford community leaders have several collection drives in operation.

All of the Walgreens stores in the county will have a collection box for Haiti relief until Jan. 30, Ms. Scott said.

"This is so awesome to have all these people get together to meet the needs of the people in Haiti," Ms. Scott said.

"People came from everywhere during the hurricanes, they helped us in our time of need, and we want to do the same for these people," Mr. Chester said.

"Small towns can do big things, too," said Freddie Woolfork.

"We have big hearts and that's what counts," he said.

All the items in the various drives will be taken to St. Lucie County, where small planes will fly the items to Haiti multiple times a week, drive organizers said.

A Fort Pierce-based Christian ministry, Missionary Flights International, has made dozens of flights back and forth to Haiti already since the military allowed planes to land there.

"They need food and water the most," said Ms. Edmond.

"When I was there, they had no electricity and people couldn't get gas to go to food," she said.

According to the Missionary Flights Web site, first-aid kits and antibiotics top the list of needs.

Cereal and snack foods, such as granola bars and peanut butter, are requested, as are personal hygiene items, blankets, towels and washcloths.

Flashlights, batteries and generators are also needed. No clothes are being requested at this point.