WESTFIELD-World Service Committee members of First Congregational Church are extending an invitation to local residents to attend a Pasta with a Purpose fundraiser on April 28 to benefit orphaned and abandoned children in Haiti.
Linda Hauk, Dorothy Cichonski and Jean Zimmermann are members of the World Service Committee of First Congregational Church. The women met April 14 to finalize plans for its Pasta with a Purpose fundraiser to benefit HELO, Inc.
The 6 to 8 p.m. dinner at 18 Broad St. will feature baked ziti and pasta with meatballs, as well as a meatless pasta sauce, a gluten-free pasta option, macaroni and cheese, salad, and ice cream for dessert.
Tickets are $12 per person or $30 for a family with children under age five free. Advance ticket purchases are encouraged and can be made by calling the church office weekdays at (413) 568-2833. Tickets will also be sold at the door.
“We are working in partnership with HELO, Inc. on the dinner to ensure that 100 percent of the money raised will go to HELO that provides Haiti’s children with a loving home, proper nutrition, and education,” said Dorothy Cichonski. Cichonski is working on logistics for the event with committee members including Linda Hauk and Jean Zimmermann.
Orphaned and abandoned children in Haiti received backpacks through HELO, Inc.
HELO, Inc., founded in 2007 with a mission to provide home, education, love, and opportunity to orphaned and abandoned children in Haiti, is a nonprofit corporation based in Coventry, Conn. Elisabeth Kennedy serves as the U.S. director.
“We pride ourselves on being different from most orphanages by having houseparents in each home to create a nourishing and safe family environment for the children,” said Kennedy. “It is our vision that in providing Haiti’s children with a loving home, proper nutrition, and education, our children will become self-confident, self-reliant adults who will leave HELO literate and with a trade to sustain themselves.”
Kennedy explained that HELO’s first home opened in November 2007, providing 10 children with a loving home and quality education. Following the tragic earthquake of 2010, HELO broke ground on a second home in an effort to quickly respond to the need and loss of life.
“By July of 2010, HELO’s family grew to three homes, welcoming an additional 40 children,” said Kennedy. “Currently, HELO has 60 children in our care, more than 120 enrolled in our primary and secondary schools, computer and English programs, a new agricultural vocational program, and medical clinic.”
Kennedy noted that HELO received a devastating blow from Hurricane Matthew, losing roofs on two of the three homes as well as on all of the kitchens and store rooms.
A home that lost a roof during Hurricane Matthew.
“Trees fell on two of our homes, church/primary school, showers and animal pens, causing the loss of a full month’s food supplies, mattresses and other household items, many of our animals, gardens, and children’s clothes and shoes,” said Kennedy.
Children in the third home sought refuge in the secondary school where they slept on cement floors until their home was repaired in late December, according to Kennedy.
“With a shortage of food and water in the area, prices continue to increase, making it even harder to keep a steady inventory of food for our children, staff, and members of our surrounding community,” said Kennedy. “The cost of construction supplies has also skyrocketed. Like many we have a long road of rebuilding and many health risks ahead of us.”
HELO operates entirely on one-time and recurring donations, which helps to provide medical services, food, school supplies, and salaries for the staff as well as help maintain its buildings and land.
“The island was devastated by Hurricane Matthew and we hope to raise funds that will help the rebuilding which benefits the children,” said Hauk.
Zimmermann echoed those sentiments.
“Our pasta fundraiser will help in rebuilding efforts which directly benefits children and provides them with the basic necessities of life,” said Zimmermann.
For more information on HELO or to make a donation if you are unable to attend the dinner, visit www.helohaiti.org or email Kennedy at [email protected].
“Education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty,” said Kennedy. “In addition to our rebuilding, we need to add a second floor to our secondary school in order to continue teaching through 12th grade.”
