SALT LAKE CITY -
A grassroots group is on its way from Utah to Haiti to help in relief efforts for the earthquake devastated country. Members of the group Utah Hospital Task Force boarded a chartered plane on Thursday. Volunteer medical professionals, linguists and construction workers will be in Haiti for 21 days helping to rebuild the country.
"I think I'm ready, but I won't know until I'm there," said Jeff Bates, a volunteer linguist who served a two year mission to the country for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Bates said his employer gave him paid leave to help the people of Haiti. But the chaos and confusion in the country has also led to problems getting the plane off the ground.
Weight issues involving fuel and cargo almost grounded the flight. At a meeting in South Jordan on Wednesday night, organizers had people group off and decide who would be left behind. About 30 volunteers are not going. Among them: Fox 13 and other Utah news outlets who were initially planning to cover the relief efforts, who voluntarily gave up their seats to medical professionals.
Volunteer Danna Richards, an EMT, was not upset at being left behind.
"Because they're doing the best they can in an absolutely chaotic situation," she said Thursday. "The administrators of this program have done an amazing job with what they have."
Beyond the weight issues, the Utah Hospital Task Force said it's initial campsite at a compound has been overrun with people and their backup site initially didn't have running water. There is also concern about getting people out of the country. The task force is still fundraising to pay for a charter plane to get their 120 volunteers out of the country.
"We're working on it," said task force founder Steven Studdert. "That changes by the hour, but we don't have any concerns."
"If I have to, I'll sell my house," said Jason Taylor, fundraising chief with the group. "I'll mortgage my assets. I'm not sending these people down without getting them home."
The group is taking donations through the non-profit group Healing Hands for Haiti.
"I think I'm ready, but I won't know until I'm there," said Jeff Bates, a volunteer linguist who served a two year mission to the country for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Bates said his employer gave him paid leave to help the people of Haiti. But the chaos and confusion in the country has also led to problems getting the plane off the ground.
Weight issues involving fuel and cargo almost grounded the flight. At a meeting in South Jordan on Wednesday night, organizers had people group off and decide who would be left behind. About 30 volunteers are not going. Among them: Fox 13 and other Utah news outlets who were initially planning to cover the relief efforts, who voluntarily gave up their seats to medical professionals.
Volunteer Danna Richards, an EMT, was not upset at being left behind.
"Because they're doing the best they can in an absolutely chaotic situation," she said Thursday. "The administrators of this program have done an amazing job with what they have."
Beyond the weight issues, the Utah Hospital Task Force said it's initial campsite at a compound has been overrun with people and their backup site initially didn't have running water. There is also concern about getting people out of the country. The task force is still fundraising to pay for a charter plane to get their 120 volunteers out of the country.
"We're working on it," said task force founder Steven Studdert. "That changes by the hour, but we don't have any concerns."
"If I have to, I'll sell my house," said Jason Taylor, fundraising chief with the group. "I'll mortgage my assets. I'm not sending these people down without getting them home."
The group is taking donations through the non-profit group Healing Hands for Haiti.
