Turner launches donation drive for Haiti to 'pay it forward'

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner launched a donation drive for Haiti after the Caribbean island suffered recent natural disasters. 

Turner said the drive is a good opportunity for the city to "pay it forward" after it received assistance from around the world in the wake of the February freeze, Hurricane Harvey and other disasters, according to the Houston Chronicle. 

A partnership between the city, Houston Haitians United, the National Association of Christian Churches Disaster Services and People Outreach Ministry is overseeing the drive, according to the Houston Chronicle. 

The magnitude 7.2 earthquake has killed at least 1,000 people and damaged around 10,000 residences, according to the Houston Daily. 

Mayor Turner said that he was, "Joining members of the Haitian community and local partners to announce the Houston's Paying It Forward Earthquake and Hurricane Relief Response to Haiti," in a Twitter post. 

"After Hurricane Harvey and other major natural disasters devastated our city and displaced our families and friends, people from across the globe volunteered their time, financial donations and supplies," Mayor Sylvester Turner said in a press release. "Houston is the proud home to a large Haitian community, and today, we are called to pay it forward to our neighbors in Haiti who are currently experiencing great suffering and loss." 

Congressman Al Green and a representative for Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis also attended the announcement, according to a press release.

The donation and supply drive will accept donations through Saturday, Aug. 28, according to a press release. 

Requested supplies include diapers, cleaning supplies, personal hygiene items, nonperishable food, bottled water and pet food and supplies, according to the press release. 

"Haiti is home and my heart is broken for all my Haitian people who have endured these tragedies," Houston Texan Whitney Mercilus, who is of Haitian descent, said through entrepreneur and event consultant DJ Big Reeks. "I am always in support of Mayor Sylvester Turner and the City of Houston for their continued support for Haiti. My family and I stand with Haiti to lend our support."