When a magnitude 7.0 earthquake devastated the island nation of Haiti, one of the many who rushed to help was the daughter of a Bothell woman who became part of the effort to transport medical supplies and food and water to the region.

Air Force Airman 1st Class Kira Hillyard, daughter of Diana Hillyard of North Road in unincorporated Snohomish near Bothell, is an aircraft hydraulics specialist with the 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., who worked tirelessly to make sure the people of Haiti received the assistance they needed.

“I maintain and repair hydraulic systems on all C-17 aircraft that come through here to Haiti,” said Hillyard, a 2008 Bothell High graduate. “I help keep the aircraft working and in good repair to allow the

crews to continue their mission.”

According to a release supplied by the Air Force, the relief mission run from the Charleston based helped deliver more than 50,000 gallons of water, 375,000 ready-to-eat meals, 700 container delivery systems for air deliveries and 200 pallets of supplies.

“The supplies and personnel that are flown from here to Haiti are integral to the relief effort,” said Hillyard. “Food and medical supplies being brought in have saved many lives from the devastation that the earthquake created.”

Helping make a difference is something she feels is the right thing to do.

“Charleston is one of the leaders in the relief effort,” said Hillyard. “The U.S. has many spare resources like supplies and personnel that other countries don’t. It’s good to lend a helping hand when you have the chance. It has become the American way.”