A truckload of water has been shipped to Haiti and about $2,500 more is needed to ship a second load, according to Dr. John Vollenweider of LaGrange.

The dentist is spearheading a campaign to provide drinking water to the Caribbean nation after the devastating earthquake of Jan. 12.

He said $9,645 has been raised so far through First Baptist Church on the Square and “I’ve been told other churches are also collecting money to help.”

“I hope interest is not waning on this project,” he said. “They will be needing water for a long time.”

Randall and Philip Parmer of LaGrange arranged bottled water purchases at cost - about $6,000 per truckload for as long at it’s needed - through Parmer Pure Mountain Water, which uses a source in north Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. A truckload consists of 34,560 bottles.

“The water from the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia is some of the best water we could possibly provide,” Vollenweider said.

To distribute the water in Haiti, Vollenweider has been working with Hosea Williams’ Feed the Hungry and Homeless organization of Atlanta and the Rev. Freddie Hebron of Savannah.

“I need more people joining in the effort,” Vollenweider said. “It would be wonderful if we had a benefactor, a large donor who was interested in making this an ongoing project. They will be needing water for a long time and the source is willing to provide it at cost for as long as we need it.”

Clean water saves lives and prevents disease because there is a danger that earthquake survivors will resort to drinking water contaminated by human waste, garbage or industrial byproducts. The public water infrastructure network sustained extensive damage during the quake.

Donations are being accepted in the mail through Feb. 28 at First Baptist Church on the Square, P.O. Box 1127, LaGrange, GA 30241. Checks must be designated for “H2Outreach.”

Joel Martin can be reached at jmartin@lagrangenews.com or (706) 884-7311, Ext. 235.