Need your help, not your money... Please>>>

[JohnEaton]

The Rotary Club of Shelton working with Shelton Health and Rehab have donated/acquired seventy six long term convalescent hospital beds for the relief effort in Haiti.

The beds are pictured here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...6&l=bafe5e1a71

Replacement Cost new for 76 beds = +$100K USD, I'd guess as used but excellent condition the value of these beds to be +$50K USD.

Here's the problem: The Air Force is swamped, the Red Cross does not want the hospital beds, World Vision will only take the beds if they are new.

Working with several volunteers we can truck these to Ft Lauderdale, Louisiana or Texas for oversea shipping... A truck driver has donated his time, our club will cover all fuel costs and I am certain I can find a truck and trailer owner that will donate the use of his equipment.

I have yet to find a shipper that would take these from any of the above ports and transport to Haiti or Puerto Rico as a donation or simply for fuel cost.

Yes, I understand that sanitizing and fumigating is required.. What I am looking at primarily is the oversea shipping. Weight is approx 23,000 pounds and volume is approx 3200 cubic feet.

I also am aware that the port facilities in Haiti have been destroyed and most infrastructure is down. As these are long term care beds there will be need for them even two or three months from now, I could store these beds and ship later.

Anyone have any ideas? I know there are several boat owners on this forum that play in the Caribbean, any takers if I can come up with fuel costs? And any ideas of what the fuel costs round trip to Haiti from Ft Laud / Miami area in a boat large enough to safely carry these beds?

Thanks for your time and input