International Aid shuts down
Thu, Jul 2, 2009 
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BY MARIE HAVENGA
mhavenga@grandhaventribune.com
SPRING LAKE TOWNSHIP — A locally based Christian medical relief organization that spent almost three decades helping those in need — including Hurricane Katrina victims in 2005 — was unable to help itself from an enveloping financial wash.
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International Aid acting CEO Gordon Loux announced late Wednesday that the organization is ceasing operations, effective immediately.
"It's a combination of many different factors," Loux said. "One has been the historical trend over the last three years where the organization has lost money. The situation of the Michigan economy also had deep effects on many of the nonprofit organizations.
"It is a very painful day for us here at International Aid," he added.
The closing was announced to IA employees at 2 p.m. Wednesday following a decision by the organization's Board of Directors in a morning meeting.
The shutdown means 40 employees will not return to 17011 Hickory St. for work this morning. It also immediately affects 32 IA employees in Honduras and the Philippines.
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Loux took over the reins of International Aid in May, after Myles Fish stepped down as the organization's president and CEO on April 22. Communications Director Bruce Buursma and Vice President of Advancement Sandy Hudson were among 10 staff members whose positions were eliminated in late April.
International Aid lost more than $1.5 million in its last fiscal year, which ended Tuesday. The last several annual reports reflect similar dismal numbers, Loux said.
"With the financial numbers as they are, the board ... had no other choice," he said.
International Aid Board Chairman Roger Spoelman said the decision to close the agency was difficult, but necessary.
"While this was a tough decision for all of us who believe in the mission of the organization, we simply do not have the resources to continue even another day," he said.
Founded in 1980, International Aid for many years provided health care services, technology, training and supplies for Christian missions in developing countries — in addition to emergency aid for those affected by natural disasters — with its main supply warehouse and offices in Spring Lake Township. In recent years, the organization focused on distributing water filters to provide safe drinking water in Third World countries.
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Spring Lake Township Manager Gordon Gallagher said he's sorry to hear International Aid will no longer be part of the local landscape.
"I know they've done some great work over the years," Gallagher said. "It's a shame to see such a good organization falling on tough times."
Loux said he expects to bring several employees back on a "contractual basis" to fulfill pre-arranged orders for medical equipment and supplies.
"We want to fulfill the commitments we have made to different organizations," Loux said. "The staff has been wonderful. It's very disappointing and heart-rendering because many of these people have worked here for many years. ... They have responded wonderfully and I'm very proud of that."
Loux also said he's been in discussions with some other organizations to see if International Aid would be able to merge with them. He said there is "a lot of interest" in the medical supplies, water filtration systems and other IA-initiated efforts from across the nation.
"We're working hard to find other organizations that may take parts or all of our present situation," Loux said.
Loux, of Colorado Springs, Colo., is the former president of Prison Fellowship Ministries and has spent most of his life with Christian outreach programs.
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Some of IA's relief work
2001 — Medical and other supplies shipped to New York following 9/11 tragedy.
2002 — Helped to open medical clinics in Afghanistan.
2003 — Mobile medical clinics and food sent to Iraq.
2005 — Medical and other supplies shipped to victims of Hurricane Katrina and to victims of the tsunami in Indonesia.
2006 — Established a child survival program in the Philippines.
2007 — Delivered food and other supplies to victims of a landslide in Venezuela.
Source: International Aid Web site
