Gala proceeds to provide Haitians with a fresh start in life
ROCKFORD, Ill. (Sept. 25, 2009) – Thanks to the continued participation, and unwavering support of several communities, The Hope for Haitians Committee and Food For The Poor’s eighth annual fundraising event, Seeds of Hope, was a successful, sold-out event.
“With this year’s event proceeds we will start building more homes and a second village for the people of Prolongé in Madeleine, Haiti,” said Tom Lorden, Event Co-Chairman. “For the past two years, our combined efforts helped pull desperate families out of the contaminated swamps of Prolongé, Haiti, and into sturdy new Food For The Poor homes.”
Just outside the trash-littered, congested city of Cap-Haitien, located along the north coast of Haiti, “Hope For Haitians Friendship Village” in Madeleine will be built with proceeds from the 2009 and 2010 events. The two-year project plans include the construction of 100 housing units, 50 sanitation units, one artesian well, a community center, animal-rearing and agricultural projects, and two solar panel lights.
“The most terrible living conditions I’ve ever seen in my life were in the swamps of Prolongé and the surrounding area,” said Pat Bachrodt, Event Co-Chairman. “The dramatic transformation the annual galas have made in the lives of so many Haitians – is night and day. Together we are bringing hope, and making a difference in the lives of so many.”
Progress and growth, in Haiti:
2007 – 2008: Established the “Rockford Friendship Village” in Prolongé, which includes 100 housing units, 50 sanitation units, three artesian wells, a community center, three tilapia ponds, start in life projects, a solar panel light, and the implementation of a feeding program.
2006: Installed 30 water wells in Cap-Haitien, to provide more than 50,000 people the gift of life-saving water.
2005: Provided 18 water wells and 125 hand pumps, enabled 70,000 people in Gonaives, to access clean, safe, drinking water.
2004: Completed 17 wells, providing clean water for 120,000 people in Cap-Haitien, Limonade and Plaine du Nord.
2003: Drilled water wells in Duval, Petionville, and Barbancourt, to provide approximately 27,000 people access to clean, safe drinking water.
2002: Completed the Dubois Water Project in Port-de-Paix, which directly affected 3,000 people.
2001: Built 50 Food For The Poor housing units, in Cotes-de-Fer.
Committee members included: Pat Bachrodt, Reverend David Beauvais, William Clancy, Mike Delany, Brian and Missy Hand, Tom and Nancy Lorden, Bob McLaughlin, Phil Nicolosi, Al and Terry Provenzano, Patti Rangel, Gerry and Judy Risch, Pete Roche, Jody Schumacher, and Jerry Weber.
Seeds of Hope sponsors included: AAA Quality Limo, Dick & Marg Bachrodt, Lou Bachrodt Automotive Group, The Bachrodt Foundation, Boylan Catholic High School, William & Catherine Clancy, Crowe Horwath LLP, Mike & Colleen Delany, Tony & Jean Domino, Focus Financial Advisors, Brian & Missy Hand and Family, Holy Family Church, Kelley Williamson Company, Thomas & Lesley Killoren, Jeff & Sally Krogh, Lindgren Callihan Van Osdol, Lorden Charitable Foundation, Lisa McDonnell, Mary Lou & Bob McLaughlin, Morrissey Law Offices, MPEC, Rebecca Dunsworth Newton, Peter & Neva Paesani, Papa John’s Pizza, Rhonda & R.C. Pottinger, Al & Terry Provenzano Charitable Foundation, Risch Family Foundation, Riverside Community Bank, The Peter Roche Family, Savant Capital Management, Fern Shore, Smith-Gramley Ltd., John & Carol Taphorn, Verizon Foundation,Warner Specialized Petroleum Services, The Warranty Group, and Wirtz Beverage of Illinois.
Food For The Poor, the largest international relief and development organization in the nation, feeds millions of hungry poor in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. Since 1982, we have provided clean water, medicines, educational materials, homes, support for orphans and the aged, skills training and emergency relief, with more than 96 percent of all donations going directly to programs that help the poor. For additional information please visit our Web site at www.foodforthepoor.org/rockford.
Contact:
Jennifer Leigh Oates
Public Relations Coordinator
(954) 427-2222 x 6054
[email protected]