Jim & Rita Cwengros (left); Matt Kutsche (top right); Mary LaPonsie (bottom right)
GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM)-- A Grand Rapids group is planning its first mission to Haiti since the crash that killed four local missionaries.
Tim Ryan, the director of Haiti Needs You, says the trip will take place the week of June 6.
In January, Matt Kutsche, Mary Laponsie, and Jim and Rita Cwengros died when their car broke through a guardrail and rolled down a steep ravine. Police say the vehicle's brakes failed.
Ryan says the team's medical supplies are still in Haiti, and volunteers are ready to finish what they started.
"They're all brand new people going to Haiti. It was that they knew of the tragedy and they wanted to be involved," says Ryan. "We need to go down because the people in [Haiti] where we go need to see us. You know, they're grieving the loss as much as we are."
Haiti is on the minds of many. Saturday, representatives of about 40 organizations met at Aquinas College to see how they can combine efforts to help the country, which is still rebuilding after a devastating earthquake in 2010. They say doctors, nurses and parishioners are always needed.