Haiti 911 Fundraiser in Calgary

January 19, 2010 Posted by Karen Huxter

My daughters in Canada are doing everything that they can to raise funds for Hands Across the Sea and for Haiti in general. I am posting here the information about the fundraiser being organized in Calgary, Alberta. Please post comments here or contact Liette at mjatwilson@hotmail.com if you are interested in attending the fundraiser or would like to help.

Haiti 911 – Haitians And Canadians Fundraise For Haiti

January 18, 2010
Calgary, Alberta

On Sunday, January 31, 2010, Calgarians are invited to a delicious brunch from 11:00 am – 1:30 pm at Sunterra Village Marché, TransCanada Tower, +15 level, 450-1 Street SW to raise money for the country of Haiti which was devastated by the recent earthquake.

Valérie Dupré, a Haitian-Canadian woman active in promoting Haitian culture and causes in Calgary, and Liette Wilson who lived in Haiti for 2 years and has two children adopted in Haiti, together with Sunterra Quality Food Markets, are organizing a fundraising brunch to raise support to help the victims of the tragic earthquake in Haiti. This event will provide an opportunity for Calgarians to show their support for the Haitian people.

The devastation in Haiti requires our immediate response in order to get emergency care to those in need as well as long term support for the survivors of this great tragedy. To that end, funds raised at the brunch will be shared between two agencies working in Haiti, Médecins Sans Frontières and Hands Across the Sea. Médecins Sans Frontières is providing urgent medical care to those injured in the earthquake. Hands Across the Sea, run by Canadian Karen Huxter, (Liette Wilson’s mother) has an orphanage and a school as well as outreach in her local community of Deschapelles, Haïti. Hands Across the Sea is involved in providing relief supplies to those directly affected by the earthquake, support for those who have fled Port-au-Prince seeking medical care at the nearby hospital as well as preparing to receive new orphans who will have lost families in the tragedy and will require long-term care.

Tickets for the brunch, which will include a Haitian dance presentation, poetry readings, music, raffle items, testimonies from Haitians in Calgary and Haitian-Canadians who were adopted into Canadian families as children, as well as guest speakers and guest speakers are $20 for individuals, $5 for children 10 years and under or $50 per family.

We are reaching out to all Calgarians whose hearts have been touched by the earthquake in Haiti. You can make a difference in the lives of the Haitian people who have lost their families, their homes, their schools….but not their hope. Your participation can save lives and enable the Haitian people to begin the process of healing and rebuilding for the future.

Contact:

Liette Wilson
Board Member, Hands Across the Sea, Haïti
Email: mjatwilson@hotmail.com

About Karen Huxter

Karen Huxter, the founder and Director of Hands Across the Sea, was born in Springdale, Newfoundland and is proud of her Newfie roots and heritage. She lived in various places across Canada such as Quebec, the Yukon, Ontario, Alberta and BC before moving to Haiti in 1995. In her professional career, Karen worked in teaching, banking and administration and did extensive volunteer work with community groups and charities. A mother of two grown daughters, one young adopted son and seven grandchildren, Karen is energetic and passionate about the work in Haiti. She loves each of the children and has a heart of compassion for children, women and families in the country of Haiti.

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Testimonials

This morning, we woke up as the sun came up and as we all began to trickle downstairs; we were met with warm welcomes from the precious children. As the children arrived, we were deeply touched and came to the realization of how important the HATS organization is to this country. Many children who would not have had any opportunities are now well nourished, educated and have a loving home and a mother who loves them more than we could ever comprehend, Karen Huxter.

Nicole Boudreau & Marcia Muise
HATS Visitors
We have so enjoyed our time here. The work we have done has been fulfilling, the fellowship has been memorable and our hearts are forever impacted by the sweet, sweet children. A piece of HATS will always stay with each of us and who knows, maybe a few will return!

Ashley Withrow, Nicki White & Deborah Gilbert
HATS Visitors
After years of thinking about it and months of planning for it, it seems strange that our time in Haiti is over. We have been asked by a few if it was like we expected. Well, no. I’m not sure what we expected, but our minds could not have fathomed what we have experienced, and we can hardly believe that our 3 month stay has come to an end. HATS really became home away from home for us. We knew we would enjoy getting to know and spending time with the kids but we had no idea how difficult it would be to leave them. They sneak in and steal your heart without you even knowing it. We have left a piece of our hearts in Haiti and can’t wait for the day when we can return.

Mike & Nicki White
HATS Visitors
Such important work done with LOVE and commitment!

Dana Wight Kayal
HATS Supporter
It’s going to be impossible to put my thoughts into words about this experience, so I’d say this – if you can get here – do. I think most people probably think they’re coming to help others. To some extent, that’s true (at least this temporary blogger thought so). To a larger extent, you’ll leave Haiti a better person than when you arrived. Nelson Mandela once said something like “Everywhere I go, I wear you”. It means that none of us is our own person entirely. Rather, we’re the culmination of the people and experiences we have had. I leave Haiti wearing 16 HATS children, 10(ish) Haitian staff members, a Calgarian, 2 Winnipegian’s, and a Newfie. And I couldn’t be happier about it. Until we meet again my friends.

Rick
HATS Visitor
Amazing organization! Had the pleasure of visiting twice, and can’t wait to go back again someday. God is doing some wonderful things at HATS!

Jess MacDonald
HATS Visitor
I am going to try to explain why a trip to Haiti is life-changing. No-one can be thrown into a group of people who have the common purpose of doing something for someone less fortunate and not be changed in many ways. As with those I joined in each of the first four trips I made to HATS, my respect and affection for each of the team members grows daily. To those who wonder if your donations and prayers are actually making a difference, I will answer you in this way…there are about 300 children in front of me right now and some or many of them God will use in a great way to change the future face of Haiti and its people. YOU have helped make that possible — AND THAT, FOLKS — is a fact!

Brian En
HATS Visitor
I have absolutely loved the Haitian people and Haiti the three times I have been there. I go to bless them, only to be blessed myself!

Yvette Calderwood
HATS Visitor
The time has passed so quickly. We know what we’ve done this week is important and makes a difference here at Hands Across the Sea. But it’s easy in Haiti to feel that anything we do here is simply a drop in the ocean. So much need on so many different levels: political, organizational, educational, social, spiritual…But we remind ourselves that each individual life is of infinite value so changing the life of one child and one family is worth the effort.

Liette Wilson
HATS Visitor, Supporter & Board Member
They call Karen “the helicopter ” and after spending three days by her side I know why. She propels through life!!! If you want to get on the ride you better start running. It is an amazing work that the Lord is doing here through so many many dedicated workers…literally hundreds of children impacted every day with the love of Christ…but the task to do so is enormous. The dedication of staff is invaluable…they NEED US ALL!!

Barbara & Louis
HATS Visitors