Area residents were saddened when they found out about a long-time seasonal worker who had several family members that were killed in the Jan. 12 earthquake in Haiti. In response, those who know the farm worker are doing all they can to offer some kind of support to him and his family.
Lochinar “Lucky” Petit-Frere lives in Fort Pierce, Fla., and has been coming to Orleans County to work during the summer months for the past seven years. Last summer was the first time that he brought his wife, Noel, and his daughters, Sophia, 16, and Steffanie, 12, to New York state with him.
“They’re just wonderful people,” said Carmelita England, who rented out a small house to the family last summer.
England spent time the girls by participating in events put on by the Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Master Gardeners program and being active with the local church.
Pastor Ray Noell of both the Millville United Methodist Church and the Knowlesville UMC got to know the family very well, as the girls regularly went to vacation bible school and the family attended church services every week.
“We came to know Lucky and love him,” said Noell. He added, “The girls are absolutely delightful.”
Lucky has a large extended family in Haiti, according to England. After the earthquake in Port-au-Prince, he learned that nine family members were killed. One of this other relatives, an 8-month-old boy, was seriously injured after he was originally thought to be dead, but was later found alive and pulled from a collapsed house.
After hearing of the family’s loss, Orleans County residents who know Lucky and his family decided to come together to see what they could do to help.
“What we have been doing at the church is accepting offerings,” said Noell. “We’re trying to find a way to get him down there (to Haiti).”
The pastor explained that they would like to send Lucky and his wife to Haiti so they can help their family members deal with their devastating loss.
“All the money collected by our two churches will go directly toward airfare,” Noell explained.
Anyone wishing to donate to support the family can send a check made payable to either the Millville UMC, 12373 Maple Ridge Road, Medina, NY 14103, or the Knowlesville UMC, 3622 Knowlesville Road, Knowlesville, NY 14479, with the word “Lucky” in the memo line.
Contact editor Holly Toal at 798-1400, ext. 8225.
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Farm worker’s family devastated by quake
Community offers support for seasonal worker
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