The Taste of Haiti benefit dinner drew 85 people who donated
$1,804 for the Adventist Development and Relief Agency.
Organizer Emmanuel Nelson, who left Haiti when he was 5 years
old, said the total was especially noteworthy since 1804 is the
year Haiti declared independence from France. In an e-mail after
the event, he said he had anticipated 30 people would show up for
the last-minute fundraiser, but he was surprised at the high
turnout.
The Taste of Haiti benefit dinner drew 85 people who donated $1,804 for the Adventist Development and Relief Agency.
Organizer Emmanuel Nelson, who left Haiti when he was 5 years old, said the total was especially noteworthy since 1804 is the year Haiti declared independence from France. In an e-mail after the event, he said he had anticipated 30 people would show up for the last-minute fundraiser, but he was surprised at the high turnout.
“My family prepared food for two days and miraculously had made enough for people to eat until they were full, and even take food home,” he wrote in an e-mail. “The people really seemed to love the food and the squash soup appeared to be the most well-received dish.”
The Nelsons even created an e-mail list to share the recipes with those who attended the meal.
In addition to Nelson’s fundraisers, the employees of Milgard Windows in Hollister, collected money to donate to the Haiti relief effort. Connie Herndon, the human resources manager, presented a check for $1,150 to Kathleen Wright, the gift planning manager for the American Red Cross, Monterey Chapter. The money was collected from 170 employees, and Milgard’s parent company Taylor MI gave a matching donation, bringing the total to $3,450.
“It is heartwarming to see so many people step up and want to assist,” said Sharon Crino, the CEP of the Monterey Bay Area Red Cross Chapter. “From adults to children, the local community has raised more than $70,000.”
Ways to help Haiti
– To donate or volunteer with the Hollister Christian Fellowship’s New Life to Children, visit www.hcfonline.com or call 637-1056.
– Text “HAITI” to the American Red Cross at 90999 for a $10 donation, or visit http://sccredcross.wordpress.com/ for the latest updates.
