Haiti Committee Update ~ Jay Schwermer's Trip Pictures

Church, I want you to know that St. Elizabeth's has a very fine Haiti Committee. Our members are dedicated, enthusiastic and ready to work to raise funds both to help the New Jeruselem Orphanage and school; AND eventually, to send two of our young people and a chaperon to Haiti in the coming years.

At our last meeting on Sunday, September 14, 2008, we set up a special fundraising committee made up of Mary Walker, Lucy Thompson, Jackie Hall and Melvon McMillan to explore ways to raise funds; not only by sponsoring functions within our parish, but also to seek grant money from other interested groups. Several suggestions have already been given to that committee and they will report at the next meeting of the Haiti Committee on Sunday, October 5, 2008.

In addition to fundraising, the Finance Council has approved a regular Second Collection for Haiti that has been set up for the first Sunday of every month. These monies are earmarked for the Haiti Committee to use both in assisting the orphanage and to send our young people to Haiti to experience firsthand what it means to live in the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. So far two Haiti collections have given us a total of over $400! We know you will continue to be generous in these collections.

We have all felt quite disturbed over the news of the terrible flooding in Haiti, caused by the recent destructive storms. Pastor Kenold, who is the director of the New Jeruselem Orphanage, was able to get all the children to safety as the waters rose and has even been able to assist neighbors whose homes were flooded. However, we do not yet know the state of the orphanage itself or how much damage it sustained. Our hearts go out to our new friends and we pray they will be back to normal soon.

The photos you see in this article are those taken by Jay Schwermer who recently returned from Haiti after visiting the orphanage and presenting the children with the soccer ball inscribed with our names.

If you are interested in joining the Haiti Committee, please contact Mieko Timmons (our recorder), Michelle Jordan or Mary Ann Allen.

Haiti Committee members are the following: Mary Ann Allen ~ Jannie Allen ~ Mildred Green ~ Jackie Hall ~ Michelle Jordan ~ Micole Jordan ~ Jackie McDonnough ~ Melvon McMillan ~ Rosemary Overton ~ Patrice & Jay Schwermer ~ Katie & Scott Stell ~ Lucy Thompson ~ Kiyoko Timmons ~ Kariin Timmons ~ Mieko Timmons ~ Mary & Sam Walker ~ Larry & Barbara Williford.