“Mama, did we walk to Haiti yet?” That was one of the
cutest comments we heard after the
completion of the first ever
Sunday Stroll for Haiti. And while we didn’t walk TO Haiti, over
400 people did walk FOR Haiti and $5376.51 was raised
(though checks are still trickling in)
for
Friends of the Orphans and
Fr. Rick Frechette. An additional $1851 dollars was
raised by other organizations helping Haiti (based on what was reported
back to me) to help with their own causes there, as well. All told, with
the Corn Sale and the tithing a few weeks back, we will send Friends of
the Orphans almost $10,000 this fall. Thank you to everyone who
contributed!
The goals for our Stroll were to remind the community that
Haiti still needs a lot of help, to raise money for Friends of the
Orphans, and to work cooperatively with many others in the area who also
care about Haiti. We were delighted with the turnout and the press that we
received, as well as the fact that approximately 28 different groups were
a part of our effort. Religious communities, schools, charitable
organizations and many dedicated individuals came out to support the
cause. In addition, several organizations got together on Saturday night
to share the stories of their work in Haiti and the connections made there
could bear much fruit in the future.
Special thanks goes out to the planning committee of Marcia Mendola, Bob
McNamara and Karen Leaderer who for many months worked tirelessly to bring
this event to fruition. The World Hunger Task Force was invaluable as we
got closer, helping with the myriad details necessary to pull off such an
event. How fortunate this parish is to have such dedicated, caring and
involved parishioners!
Additional appreciation goes out to Sally Schrecker, Jeff Stid, Taylor
Potter, Gary Eisenhart, Sara Lynge, Chuck Ray, Angelo Rose,
Jennifer Lafler and the Nazareth
Hall Children’s Choir, the Mendon Gospel Choir, Josh Apo and his dancing
friends, Fred Rissberger, the entire extended Mendola family and all the
sponsors below for their generous contributions to the day:
Edelweiss Properties
PAD Business Forms
RPS Screen Printing & Art Services
Uncle Russ’s Italian Ice
Wegmans, Pittsford
Happy Squirrel Records
Storyline Public Relations
Ben & Jerry’s |
Rosen Pitcher Dentistry for
Children
Moe’s Southwest Grill
Walmart, Victor
Sam’s Club
BJ’s Wholesale Club, Victor
Green Acre Farms
Pittsford Plaza Cinema |
We could never have done it without their help! Thanks also goes out to
Bob and Karin McNamara for hosting Jennifer Rayno and Alina Fleury who
came from the regional office of Friends of the Orphans in Chicago.
We are grateful to all the “strollers” and those who contributed in any
way. There were so many folks who helped that it is impossible to list
them all. Please know that your efforts have made a big difference to us
here at St. Louis, to the local community, and to Fr. Rick and all those
he is helping in Haiti. Though we didn’t make it all the way to Haiti on
foot, our hearts were brought a little closer . . . with each other and
with those under the care of Friends of the Orphans.
Miss the Stroll?
You can still donate! St. Louis Church raises
funds year round for Friends of the Orphans. Please make your check
payable to St. Louis Church, write "Stroll for Haiti" in the memo section,
and send it to Kathleen McMahon at the address below.
Friends of the Orphans/
Our Little Brothers and Sisters Organization runs the only free
pediatric hospital in Haiti, two orphanages, two rehabilitation clinics,
schools, and day camps for over 2500 children in the tent cities. They
also coordinate bread and water distribution, and much more.
Thank you for your generosity!
Kathleen
McMahon
Pastoral Associate, Social Ministry and Justice
St. Louis Church
64 South Main Street
Pittsford NY 14534
W: 585-586-5675
C: 585-703-6025
kmcmahon@stlouischurch.org
Note: For those
interested in Angelo Rose's fantastic song, Under the Mango Tree, CDs will
be available in the Ministry Center at the address above.
You can also download the CD
here.
Charitable groups supported through the
Sunday Stroll for Haiti
Friends of the Orphans
Crossworld Missions
Haitian Orphan Rescue
