Two Ben Avon natives who have spent years helping orphans in Haiti aren’t about to let a little thing like a massive earthquake get in their way.

Jamie (30) and Ali (21) McMutrie have been living in Haiti, with Jamie spending about half the year there, caring for the children who come to live at Brebis de Saint-Michel de L’Attalaye, or BRESMA, orphanage in Port-au-Prince.

The orphanage is sponsored by the Answered Prayers organization in Washington State.

In addition to providing for children in one of the world’s most impoverished countries, BRESMA also arranges for adoptions.

According to an e-mail sent by family members, both Jamie and Ali, along with the orphans, are safe and uninjured following the 7.0 earthquake that occurred about 10 mile southwest of the capital city Tuesday evening. The women managed to make their way to the U.S. Embassy, but then returned to the orphanage.

Family members say that Jamie and Ali especially do not want to leave a number of orphans who are in the process of being adopted by families in the United States, fearful that all progress will be lost in the confusion of the aftermath of the earthquake.

The e-mail from the family, posted on a church-related blog, reads:

“We’ve gotten a lot of people that are willing to help with the humanitarian side of things, but the more pressing issue is that the orphans are essentially abandoned right now. because of the massive upheaval in Haiti, the adoption process has pretty much stopped. these children are in the process of being adopted, but they are now in a state of limbo, so to speak. We feel fairly confident at this point (as much as we can) that we are going to be able to safely get Jamie and Ali out of the country. The most pressing issue has become getting the children safely home. What we need now more than anything is for the government here, in the U.S., to grant the children some sort of temporary refugee status so that they can come home and be with the families that are waiting for them. We are in no way experts here. We have no idea how to go about making it happen. What we need are connections, string pulling at the highest levels of government. This is a tall order. but without some sort of intervention these kids will literally just be abandoned. There is no other hope for them.

“There is no way Jamie or Ali will ever leave without getting the kids somewhere safe.”

The blog prompted a response from state Rep. Jesse White, who represents the 46th Legislative District in Washington, Beaver and Allegheny counties. According to his office, White’s legislative assistant has been in contact with U.S. Congressman Tim Murphy. Congressman Mike Doyle’s office also reported receiving a number of calls.

Web Update: Congressman Mike Doyle's office has reported that staff members have been in contact with both the White House and the State Department regarding this issue. As of Friday, they were waiting to hear what could be done.

Below is a list of ways people can help the American Red Cross help the earthquake victims:

Text the word “Haiti” to 90999 which will send a $10 donation in the International Disaster Response Fund. The charge will appear on your next cell phone bill.

Call1-800-Red-Cross.

Visit redcross.org and click on “Donate Now.”

Mail a check to the American Red Cross, 225 Blvd. of the Allies, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. The donation should be marked “Haiti” if the donor wishes the funds to be earmarked for this particular disaster.

To help fund animal rescue in Haiti, you can donate to the World Society for the Protection of Animals, www.wspa.org.