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Coloradans Hold Vigil For Haiti's Orphans

Candlelight Service To Raise Awareness, Money

POSTED: 9:42 pm MST January 17, 2010
UPDATED: 6:58 am MST January 19, 2010

About 50 people gathered in Denver's City Park Sunday night for a candlelight vigil in support of Haiti's orphans.

The Simpson family, of Centennial, came in honor of Stephana, the 11-month-old Haitian girl they are in the process of adopting.

"We have infants in Haiti sitting outside, exposed to the elements with little food or water," said Jeff Simpson. "They can't chase after the trucks or run into the aid station. They are completely helpless."

There is mounting frustration from would-be parents concerned the adoption paperwork is now buried under piles of rubble.

Boulder Human Rights Attorney Beth Klein said about 900 orphans in the Port au Prince area have been adopted by U.S. citizens and are just waiting for their visa clearance to be taken to safe, caring homes.

She said humanitarian visas are being expedited for the children.

"Five have been issued, and more are being issued tomorrow," she said. "I think everybody is incredible committed to getting these children to their parents in the United States."

Klein has been working with families and the state departments to try to get the children visas and to get them home.

She said, at first, she was amazed when enough donations came in to charter one plane.

But it didn't stop there.

"With a huge network of people helping, we have enough 737s to fly all 900 children out," said Klein.

The next plane will be in Haiti Monday.

Donations would go through www.restavekfreedom.org.
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