The generosity of the Dogfish community shines again! A few weeks back, we reported that two of our co-workers who hailed from Haiti were in need of support after the devastating earthquake (see original post below). Although they are both settled here in the U.S. and working with us at the brewery, many, many of their family members are still in Haiti. At the time, they had not heard from any of them.

Well, we are happy to report that between donations from our co-workers, our customers and our company - we raised more than $5,500 to help them support their families. Wow - thank you all so much!

As for their families, Wilson and Lamarre have both been able to connect with their families living in Haiti either directly or via a few relatives scattered in the states. It appears that all of Wilsons sisters and their children have survived, as have most of his uncles extended famiily. He was sad to report that at least two cousins, with a third possible, did not make it through the devastation. Wilson has yet to hear word of his brothers children and remains troubled about that. He also has some family members who have sustained head injuries during the quake, whose condition he does not fully know. Lamarre has received good news that his family members appear to have survived. Both report that while these folks are lucky to have their lives, all of their homes have been destroyed and worldly possessions are gone. Family members are grateful, but remain tired, hungry and thirsty, with some still needing medical attention.

Both our co-workers were touched by all support everyone has extended during this difficult time and were pretty overwhelmed by all of your financial support as well. Wilson remarked that simply knowing that he still had his Dogfish family brought him some comfort during his worst periods of not knowing whether he had any actual surviving kin. Lamarre, too, expressed his overwhelming gratitude for his Dogfish family.So, thank you Dogfish family near and far who chipped in to help our own Haitian Dogfish Nation! We do appreciate your support.

Original post (1/14/2010):

When news of the devastation in Haiti came to us earlier this week, our hearts immediately went to the many, many families directly affected by the tragedy. But within hours, we realized the Haitian earthquake had struck much closer to home for our Dogfish family.

Wilson and Lamarre are long-standing members of our Packaging Team, the guys who lovingly ensure that tanks of Dogfish beer find their way into the bottles and kegs that find their way into you! Well, sadly Wilson and Lamarre have yet to hear news of their siblings, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and extended families who live and work in Port Au Prince, Haiti. While the Dogfish family is providing love and various types of support for these two, we thought to ourselves, why not also lean on all of you?

Thats why, through our Beer & Benevolence program, 10% of all Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats (Rehoboth Beach, DE) sales starting with dinner on Friday, January 15, 2010 and ending with lunch on Sunday, January 17, 2010 will be added to our Haitian Dogfish Nation Donation Fund to be used by our coworkers to support them and their families in whatever is discovered to lie ahead. On top of that.... 10% of all Dogfish Head Craft Brewery (Milton, DE) sales from all beer and merchandise purchased in the tasting room at our Milton, brewery on Saturday, January 16, 2010 will be added. In addition, any additional cash contributions will cause us to lift our pints to you in appreciation for your kindness, generosity and wonderful spirit that goes hand in hand with your fabulous taste! There will be donation growlers available at both our Rehoboth brewpub and Milton brewery this weekend.

Thank you for helping us help them!

Cheers.