Community bands together in Haiti's time of need (PHOTOS)

For some Walton County residents the tragedy in Haiti is personal.

“When you are over there and you see what these people have to go through daily your heart is touched,” said Freeport resident Sue McKnight.

McKnight and her husband Thomas have been doing mission work in Haiti for 25 years.

After last week’s devastating earthquake McKnight’s husband Thomas, who is a physician, leapt into action.

“He left last Saturday and arrived in Haiti the next day,” McKnight said. “He was anxious to do what he could to help out.”

Click here to see a photo gallery by McKnight's team.

Click here to read about Dr. Tom McKnight's work in Haiti

McKnight is working alongside longtime friends John and Beth McHoul, who are the founders of Heartline Ministries.

The McKnights’ have been involved with the Christian-based Heartline Ministries since adopting their son Moses 16 years ago from Haiti. They later adopted their daughter Hosanna, who is now 14.

“John and Beth have been instrumental in getting Haitian children adopted into good Christian homes,” McKnight said.

With their strong ties to Haiti, the McKnights are doing everything possible to help out.

“Before Thomas left we went around and collected supplies from local hospitals and doctors,” McKnight said. “We wanted to be able to take over as much as we could.”

McKnight said the main thing people can do to help is to pray and to donate to organizations that are safe.

“Donations to Heartline are very safe,” she said. “They have been working in Haiti for years and know the best way to spend the money. These people live in the community and know how to keep it going.”

In addition to the support of families like the McKnights, area organizations and businesses have joined the relief efforts.

The Kiwanis Club of DeFuniak Springs has partnered with Atlanta-based Compassion Services Inc., to provide “Buckets of Blessings” to those that are in need.

Lowes and Ace Hardware donated 100 buckets to support the effort.

Donors will be asked to “adopt” a bucket and fill it with a list of designated supplies — ranging from basic food and hygiene items to medical relief supplies.

Lists of the designated supplies are available at The Walton County Tax Collectors Office, Thrift Way Supermarket, and the WZEP Radio Station.

Kiwanis Club President Cory Godwin said as of Wednesday morning they already have donors to fill 25 buckets.

“The immediate response to this has been outstanding,” Godwin said. “It is apparent that the local community was waiting for some type of support.”

 “Once all the buckets have been filled, they will be transported to Miami to be loaded up and delivered directly to those in need,” Godwin said.

He added that “the buckets will serve a dual use because the people will be able to use them to transport water.”

“Our community has always been great in responding to disasters like this,” he said. “It makes you reflect back on what is tough, and realize that we are not that bad off.”

Jonathan King is the associate pastor at First Apostolic Church of DeFuniak Springs and is working with the Kiwanis and CSI on the relief efforts.

“One of the important things we want to have people do is include a personal message when they fill their buckets,” he said. “The elementary school children can draw pictures to put along the food items.”

The local relief effort extends from DeFuniak to 30A.

Bryan Pritchett, owner of Pizza by the Sea in WaterColor will be donating a percentage of his total weeks sales to the victims in Haiti.

Everyone who comes in the restaurant and mentions “Haiti” will receive 25 percent off their total purchase, including wine and beer.

“This just seemed like something we needed to do,” he said. “I would love for people to turn out for this reason. We really do try and give back when we can.”

While Pritchett was originally only going to do this for one night, he decided to expand it until Sunday.

Local retailer Aeropostale is also doing its part to help out in Haiti.

Assistant manager Ryan Powell said Aeropostale is running their annual “Teens for Jeans” event and partnering with Dosomething.org to collect jeans for the Haiti relief efforts.

“We are going to be donating the first 300 pairs of jeans we get to Haiti,” Powell said. “Depending on how many pairs we get, the number of jeans we donate could increase.”