Alpha Card provides ID badge system for Cross International's Haiti relief efforts

Online, April 27, 2010 (Newswire.com) - On January 12, 2010, Haiti was struck by a magnitude 7 earthquake, the largest to hit the region in more than two centuries. The force of the quake and the resulting aftershocks crippled an already-struggling nation, killing thousands and leaving countless others without homes. When a massive disaster strikes, it's often the response to tragedy that brings hope and inspiration. After the earthquake, when Haiti needed the world's help, the people responded. One organization providing continuous support in Haiti is Cross international, a group Alpha Card Systems is proudly assisting in this important cause.

Small Steps Towards Rebuilding

Cross International was already helping out in Haiti before the Earthquake hit. The organization's top priority is to offer assistance to "the poorest of the poor." These efforts began in Haiti and now extend to other impoverished countries throughout Africa, Asia, and Latin America. In response to the recent Earthquake in Haiti, Cross International is working to distribute food and material aid to the poor and suffering through existing programs established within the country.

How Alpha Card is Helping

Cross International approached Alpha Card in search of an ID badge solution for its ongoing efforts in Haiti. ID badges are incredibly important for identifying workers and volunteers offering assistance in times of emergency. Proper identification helps to ensure the right people have access to the areas they need to reach, and it lets them perform their tasks quickly without costly delays. For those receiving assistance, seeing photo identification provides assurance that those offering help are in fact official and authorized to be there.

Marjorie Cadet, Senior Accountant for Cross International, explains, "When these people are going out on the street, or helping out in tent cities, they need to have a badge to identify themselves. Haiti is a small country, so many people know the organizations, but it's important to have a way of showing who belongs to what organization."

Cross International works with a number of groups offering support to Haitians in need, focusing primarily on distribution of food and medical supplies. The organization also works closely with schools, by helping poor children pay for schooling, and providing them with meals.

What's in the Cards?

Cross International used an ID card system from Alpha Card to print 500 photo IDs for those involved in their current projects in Haiti. Members of these organizations receive ID cards featuring their photo, the name of the organization they're working or volunteering for, and personal details such as name and title.

Says Cadet, "Before, we didn't have cards. Now, we want everybody to have a badge to identify who is an employee and who is coming in to assist with a need. We want people to be able to say 'This is an employee with a badge, and these are people coming in to provide a service.'"

To produce these photo IDs, Cross International used Alpha Card's Basic Secure Photo ID System featuring the Magicard Enduro ID card printer. The Enduro is a versatile printer that makes professional card printing easy and affordable. It even allows users to include a secure watermark on each printed card at no extra cost. This improves the visual authenticity of the printed cards, and reduces the risk of counterfeiting, resulting in a highly secure photo ID program.

Alpha Card is proud to have played an important role in getting Cross International's ID card program up and running, and applauds the organization's noble efforts in Haiti.

About Alpha Card Systems:

Alpha Card Systems has been a trusted provider of secure ID solutions since 1986. That's over 20 years of service in an industry where experience is extremely important. Alpha Card takes great pride in delivering the best service and value on ID card systems for virtually any application. The company offers an unbeatable selection of ID card printers and supplies from industry-leading manufacturers such as Fargo, Magicard and Zebra. Alpha Card's diverse customer base stretches from schools and small businesses, to membership clubs, police departments, government agencies, large corporate clients and more.

For more information visit http://www.alphacard.com, email [email protected] or call 800-717-8080.