It all started with Facebook...

Last week I posted a comment on my facebook wall about the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti. I kept thinking to myself, how can I help? Well, before I knew it - Justin commented back - "I'm on my way there," he wrote. Within minutes, I was on the phone calling him. That's when he told me about Kennedy and the girls. I told Justin, I'm going to help you. We put our plans into place, and within hours Justin had them on a flight to the Dominican Republic - hoping to catch a bus into Port-Au-Prince, Flip Cam HD in hand. We had to record this - we wanted to show the world what was happening in Haiti, the most devastating natural disaster in probably the last decade.

Before landing in the Dominican Republic, the Piryx crew was already in full swing launching a Facebook Fan Page, a Website, and a Twitter Account to help keep friends and family up to date with their mission. A short while later - in the Dominican Republic - Justin and Kennedy were already on the relief bandwagon helping out at the local response center. Then the next morning, they were blessed with an opportunity to catch a ride on a helicopter into Port-Au-Prince with the US Military. Operation "Safe Return" was now in full swing.

Then radio silence... We had a few text message here and there, but weren't exactly sure what was happening. Then it came...a facebook message. Upon approaching the home where the girls were staying, they came across the crumbled remains of what used to be their home. At that moment, they feared the worst. All Kennedy could do was cry out their names...and by divine intervention, the girls came to her. They had been sleeping in the streets in front of their home, hoping their mother would arrive to help them. At this point, I cannot imagine what I would be feeling myself - if that were my children - but what an incredible feeling it must have been to find them alive.

Shortly there after, they returned to the orphanage they had made home base for their search and rescue efforts. Only to be awakened in the early morning hours by the songs of orphaned children singing songs of praise. If you watch the video, you'll hear this absolutely beautiful music, we decided that this was the only sound track this video needed. It was too beautiful. We immediately reached out to Bridget Henderson, Piryx Director of Communications - who told this story to CNN. Within hours of arriving back in the US at an air force base in Florida - we uploaded the videos of this beautiful story and sent them to CNN. At the end of this 72 hour ordeal, we were sharing this wonderful story of hope with the whole world on CNN's The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer. The CNN ticker said, Cries In The Dark Turn To Rays of Light. They couldn't have been more right.

At Piryx, we have such an awesome opportunity to work with and empower hundreds of non-profits and social causes of all shapes and sizes. Rarely do I have the opportunity to help one that hits so close to home. This month's charity spotlight goes out to an old friend, Justin Yarborough, and a new one, Kennedy Granger. In March they'll be heading back to Haiti to help with some of the reconstruction efforts. Here at Piryx, we'll continue to support them through this difficult journey. Isn't it amazing what technology can do? Isn't it amazing what one small group of people can do?

With love and hope for the people of Haiti, We Hear Your Voice.

-Tom Serres
Founder and CEO, Piryx Inc.

More About Kennedy and Justin's Journey...

Kennedy Granger, a Haitian native and St. Mary’s law student in San Antonio, created We Hear Your Voice after the tragic earthquake that hit Haiti on January 12, 2010. Granger has been in the processing of adopting three Haitian children over the past four years, and when news of the earthquake struck, they were the first thing on her mind. After failed attempts to communicate with her family in Haiti, Granger and her fellow law student, Justin Yarborough, decided to visit Haiti in order to find missing relatives and assist the relief efforts. Granger and Yarborough took a flight to the Dominican Republic where they boarded a US Customs helicopter to Port-Au-Prince. Upon arrival to the US Embassy, Granger and Yarborough had a point of contact on the ground in Haiti and went straight to the home where Granger’s children are currently living, only to find a pile of rubble. Amazingly, the three children were living on the street outside of the home after the eldest child persuaded the family to remain put to "wait for mom." Granger and Yarborough returned to the states to raise awareness about the crisis, and secure the adoption paperwork and visas for Granger’s three children. They have been featured on CNN’s The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer and many local news channels and newspapers. Granger and Yarborough continue to help with Haiti Relief efforts, and greatly appreciate any and all support.

Please visit www.wehearyourvoice.com to learn more.

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