David Ortiz, MLB Pitch in with Haiti Relief Efforts

The earthquake that struck Haiti on Jan. 12 hit close to home for David Ortiz.

The Red Sox slugger is a native of the Dominican Republic, a country which shares an island with Haiti. In support of relief efforts, Big Papi has ordered a collection of canned goods, water and other items that he will bring to Haiti, MLB.com reports.

"Due to this tragedy that affected our neighbor country, it compels us to prepare a truck full of food and medicine to the victims of such a devastating event," Ortiz told the Web site. "It is a small way to contribute and help overcome this tragedy that our Haitian brothers are going through. I want to make sure that this aid directly reaches those in need and that is why I will personally travel to our neighbor country to deliver it."

Ortiz is not alone among MLB players in his support for the Caribbean nation. Miguel Tejada, also from the Dominican Republic, is preparing a container van of supplies to be shipped to Haiti.

Major League Baseball will donate $1 million to help victims of the earthquake. Commissioner Bud Selig announced the money is on behalf of the league and each of its 30 teams.

Haiti was hit hard by the 7.0 magnitude earthquake, especially the capital city of Port-au-Prince, whose greater metropolitan area is home to 1.7 million of the country’s 10 million residents. According to the CIA World Factbook, Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere with 80 percent of the population living below the poverty line. The lack of funds as well as suitable infrastructure puts extra pressure on donations to aid in the relief effort.

To make a donation with UNICEF to help the people of Haiti, click here.