HAITI HIGH!! WHAT A GREAT PARTY!!

There was a full house at SOHO.

There was laughter, conversation, new friendships and connections.

The fabulous food was a huge hit and drinks for everyone's taste.

The ambiance was festive and accented with Haitian flags.  

Even the weather was made to order!

The party planners were grinning with delight all evening watching and listening to friends having a great time.  Those from Haiti and those of us who have been to Haiti shared stories and answered questions.  I loved the questions like "Do you have room for one more this fall?" and "When will you be organizing another trip?" It was all about supporting opportunity and hope in Haiti

Then there was the auction!  A link must connect good preaching and auctioneering.  Pastor John Lentz certainly has a gift for both.  Assisted by Barb (Vanna) Lind with her spotlight, bidders were seduced into bids at and above what they expected to spend.

The contributions of quiltmakers Patti Falk, Lynn Kleinman and Barb Lind, and the glass perfume jar by glassmaker, Brent Kee Young, produced a total of $2,625 in sales to be added to the funds for the use of the Little Brothers and Little Sisters of the Incarnation at Pondiassou, Haiti.

The team who put this all together consisted of Steve Sedam, Deanne Lentz, Barb Lind and Laurie Logan.  They got some very important  help from Ralph Jean-Mary, Jeff and Anne Smith, Carline Paul-blanc.  Many others pitched in.

Key to the event's success was the SOHO Kitchen and Bar, its wonderful staff, and owners, Molly and Nolan.  The Kreyol buffet they put together just for this event was amazing.

Nolan and Molly are the youngsters in this picture.

The financial proceeds for this fundraising project are still being calculated.  Needless to say, though, it was a huge success for a first time effort.  In the end, financial success is not the true measure of what was accomplished through this event.  What matters more is the expansion of interest among people who have the will, the energy and the resources to support justice for Haiti's most needy.  Building capacity and community with Haitian partners requires a sustained movement, not just successful fundraising.

That is my take on our first FHC Haiti celebration event.