SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - A Yellowknife man is continuing his efforts to help earthquake-ravaged Haiti by raising money for supplies to send a group of Yellowknifers to Agua Negra, Dominican Republic, to build a medical centre and shelter.

"There is already a large Haitian community there," said Dane Mason. "And in the next coming months I expect a lot more Haitian refugees."

Agua Negra is less than 10 kilometres from the Haitian border.

So far he has collected $5,000 in medical supplies and Mason hopes for another $7,000 before his group departs on April 8.

"The biggest part is that we want to be building alongside the people rather than delegating," said Mason.

As of Tuesday, five people from Yellowknife will be travelling with 20 other volunteers from Halifax, N.S. The project is being co-ordinating by a Canadian church-based organization called Cornerstone Assembly from Truro, N.S.

"A lot of things have been changing and the need has been getting bigger," said Mason.

He said he originally planned to travel to the Dominican Republic for eight days, but now hopes to extend his trip to two weeks.

The proposed medical centre, once built, could help 500 people a month with a part-time doctor, nurses and volunteer staff.

"This won't be a one-stop fix-up," said Mason.

Deton'Cho Logistics also reached out to help Haiti by providing an A-star and a Bell 205 helicopter to aid in the United Nations relief efforts. The two helicopters were picked up by a Hercules en route to the Dominican Republic.

"We're very pleased that we were able to play a role in making this happen so quickly," said Stu Imett, the company's partner, in a media release on Jan. 27.

One of First Air's Hercules and a Boeing 767 have returned from Haiti while the other Hercules remains.

Anyone wanting to donate can do so at Wal-Mart, Tim Hortons, Chez Patricia, Mainstreet Cafe as well as Mainstreet Donair and Falafel.

Shane Vaters is collecting food, clothing, blankets and other items to send to Haiti.

Until Feb. 12, the Canadian government will also match any donation to registered charities responding to the Haiti earthquake.