Did I tell you about my June trip to Haiti? I first visited back in 2007 and have been watching over the mountain village of Trois Mares ever since. Now, as a board member of Future Forward for Haiti, I saw the new church/school we've built, slept in the parsonage, celebrated with the first ten students to graduate in Trois Mares, interviewed ladies starting micro businesses, and taught everyone to swing dance! Imagine my joy to see Mickelange again, pictured with me, whose school I've supported over the years. She hopes to graduate next year.
Back in 2007, the school had about 25 students. Now there are 260! One of the reasons for that huge growth is the lunch program, which attracts students and keeps parents sending them. So I'm asking for your help to provide those lunches, free to students many of whom cannot count on getting even one meal a day at home. Since Hurricane Matthew, many have lost their gardens and livestock as well as walls and roofs.
We plan to provide a reliable, nutritious, daily lunch program all year for the 450 children in the two schools that we support. Here's how: Teaneck Packathon for Haiti will be a huge, rolicking event in my home town November 12, where about 700 volunteers will pack almost 10 tons of rice, beans, vegetables and healthy vitamins. The event is free, but I want to raise money to buy these ingredients.
We need to raise $53,000 for:
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Lunches for 450 students 5 days a week, 12 months a year;
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Classroom for Grade 6 so they can meet indoors in all weather;
Of the total, I am making it my personal goal to raise $1000.
Please Donate Now to help me reach my goal and help those kids in Haiti? It's going to feel good and you'll be a hero to local volunteers and 450 children in Haiti!
Your contributions are tax-deductible through our 501c3 non-profit, Future Forward for Haiti, inc. If you prefer to write a check, please write it to Teaneck Packathon for Haiti, and mail it to Joyce F. Baynes, 144 Hamilton Road, Teaneck NJ 07666.