Rockford Fundraiser

Rockford Residents Celebrate the Expansion of Their Biggest Village Yet in Haiti

	Rockford residents visited Food For The Poor-built homes in the Hope for Haitians Board's Christian Friendship Village in Terrier Rouge, Haiti, in February 2014.
Related Item: Help Build a Village

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (Sept. 25, 2014) – Thanks to the compassion of northern Illinois residents at the 13th annual An Evening in the Tropics on Saturday, Sept. 6, enough money was raised to expand the Pope Francis Friendship Village in Dumas, Haiti. The gala was presented by the Hope for Haitians Board and Food For The Poor.

Funds raised at the event will be used to build safe, permanent Food For The Poor homes for 20 more families in Dumas. Additional money raised will be used to complete the second phase of the village, which includes 30 more two-room homes and a water filtration unit.

Tom Lorden, a Founding Trustee of the Hope for Haitians Board of Directors, thanked the approximately 300 attendees for their generous donations, allowing more families than ever before to receive support.
Money to complete phase one of the village, was raised by the generous participants of the Hope for Haitians Board’s Lenten Program. Phase one will include the construction of new homes for 40 families in Dumas, complete with kitchenettes, latrines, and solar lanterns. Additionally, the money needed to build the planned community center and a cassava bakery was raised. These facilities will be available to the more than 1,500 residents who reside in the area. The Association For The Development of Dumas (ADD) will assist farmers in marketing and selling the products produced at the bakery. 

During An Evening in the Tropics, the Hope for Haitians Board members presented a statue of Christ as a beggar to priests on behalf of their parishioners’ generous, sacrificial giving during the Lenten season. Recipients of the Ambassador For The Poor awards included: Reverend Richard Rosinski, pastor of St. Thomas More in Elgin, Ill.; The Very Reverend Stephen St. Jules, V.F., Rector of The Cathedral of St. Peter, Rockford; Reverend Timothy J. Seigel, pastor of St. Gall in Elburn, Ill.; and Reverend Edward Seisser, pastor of St. Catherine of Siena in Dundee, Ill.

Master of ceremonies for this year’s An Evening in the Tropics was veteran broadcast journalist Mike Robinson. Rev. St. Jules delivered the invocation. The evening also featured a cocktail reception, silent auction, and a formal dinner with friends and members of the surrounding communities. Bidding on silent auction prizes such as electronics, jewelry, vacations, golf and dining packages offered opportunities for guests to shop and support the cause.

In addition to bidding on silent auction items, the attendees learned about Food For The Poor’s ongoing projects in Haiti from the testimonials of Rockford residents who traveled to Haiti in February 2014, and guest presenter, Delane Bailey-Herd, Food For The Poor’s Haiti Project Manager.

Bailey-Herd said it was an honor to celebrate with attendees as they raised money to transform people’s lives by building their biggest village yet.

“I strongly believe that from the villages you are helping us (Food For The Poor) create, will come forth Haiti’s leaders – men and women of great character and integrity,” said Bailey-Herd.

“On behalf of Haiti’s children, I want to thank you for providing safe homes, clean water, sanitation and food,” said Destiny, Bailey-Herd’s 6-year-old daughter.

For additional information, please call 1-888-404-4248 or visit www.FoodForThePoor.org/rockford.

Members of the Hope for Haitians Board include: Pat Bachrodt, the Rev. David Beauvais, Virginia Canavan, William Clancy, Patti Cottrell, Michael Delany, Bill Derry, Bill Kalma, Danny Lorden, Tom and Nancy Lorden, Bob McLaughlin, Greg McQueary, Philip Nicolosi, Peter Roche, Andy Schultheis, and the Rev. Geoff Wirth.

Gala sponsors include Dick and Marg Bachrodt, Lou Bachrodt Auto Group, Lou Bachrodt Foundation, Dr. Errol and Rosemary Baptist, Paul and Annette Baudhuin, Buff and Lorrie Blackler, Comerica, William and Catherine Clancy, Tom and Mary Costello, Crowe Horwath, Mike and Colleen Delany, Tony and Jean Domino, Rebecca Dunsworth, Field Fasteners, Focus Financial, Joseph Geraghty, Giovanni’s Restaurant, Brian and Missy Hand, Msgr. Robert Hoffman Estate, JP Jewelers, JPS Inc., Kelley Williamson Company, Thomas and Lesley Killoren, Joseph and Antoinette Logli, Lorden Charitable Foundation, Robert and Mary Lou McLaughlin, James and Carole Mounier, MPEC, OSF St. Anthony Medical Center, Penske Truck Leasing, R.C. and Rhonda Pottinger, Risch Family Foundation, Peter and Sandy Roche and Family, St. Rita Church, Savant Capital Management, Fern Shore, Phil and Paula Turner, Msgr. Raymond Wahl, The Warranty Group, and WIPFLi HEWINS.

Food For The Poor, named by The Chronicle of Philanthropy as the largest international relief and development organization in the nation, does much more than feed millions of the hungry poor in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. This interdenominational Christian ministry provides emergency relief assistance, clean water, medicines, educational materials, homes, support for orphans and the aged, skills training and micro-enterprise development assistance, with more than 95 percent of all donations going directly to programs that help the poor. For more information, please visit www.FoodForThePoor.org.

Pope Francis Village

Rockford Residents Poised to Build
Their Biggest Village Yet in Haiti

	Jeff Lemke traveled from his hometown of Cary, Illinois, to Dumas, Haiti, to meet the residents who will directly benefit from the proceeds raised at this year's annual gala.
Related Items: Reserve Your Seat

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (Aug. 8, 2014) – The Hope for Haitians Board and Food For The Poor invite you to attend the 13th annual An Evening in the Tropics, Saturday, Sept. 6 at Giovanni’s Restaurant & Convention Center, 610 N. Bell School Road, Rockford, Illinois.

The Hope for Haitians Board has set an ambitious goal for participants of An Evening in the Tropics gala supporters. This year’s proposal includes building new homes for 90 families in Dumas, Haiti, complete with kitchenettes, latrines, and solar lanterns. The village will be named the Pope Francis Friendship Village. Additionally, the planned community center and a cassava bakery will be available to the more than 1,500 residents who reside in the area. The Association For The Development of Dumas (ADD) will assist farmers in marketing and selling the products produced at this facility. 

“So many of the faithful gave up more than chocolate this past Lent,” said Tom Lorden, a Founding Trustee of the Hope for Haitians Board of Directors. “Their sacrificial giving is allowing Hope for Haitians to help more families than ever.” 

Ten residents from the Rockford/Chicago area traveled to Haiti February 24-27 with Food For The Poor, to meet the destitute families in Dumas that are relying on them to make this year’s An Evening in the Tropics gala a success.

Two of the travelers, Pat Bachrodt and Greg McQueary, also are members of the Hope for Haitians Board.

“It was certainly one of the most memorable few days of my life,” said McQueary. “I have already taken steps in an effort to find additional contributions.”

Additional members of the Hope for Haitians Board include: the Rev. David Beauvais, Virginia Canavan, William Clancy, Patti Cottrell, Michael Delany, Bill Kalma, Danny Lorden, Tom and Nancy Lorden, Bob McLaughlin, Philip Nicolosi, Patti Rangel, Peter Roche, Andy Schultheis, and the Rev. Geoff Wirth.

Master of ceremonies for this year’s An Evening in the Tropics is veteran broadcast journalist Mike Robinson. The evening also will feature a cocktail reception, silent auction, and formal dinner with friends and members of the surrounding communities. Bidding on silent auction prizes such as electronics, jewelry, vacations, golf and dining packages offer opportunities for guests to shop and support the cause.

The Most Reverend David J. Malloy, the ninth Catholic Bishop of Rockford, will deliver the invocation.

For additional information about sponsorship opportunities and tickets, please call 1-888-404-4248 or visit www.FoodForThePoor.org/rockford.

Travelers on the February trip to Haiti included Pat Bachrodt, Colin Gregory, Justin Kegley, Jeff Lemke, Greg McQueary, Pat Meyer, Sr. Rita Mary Ann Phalen, Miguel “Mike” Saltijeral, Jr., Rev. Tim Seigel, and the Rev. John “Steve” Stephen St. Jules.

Food For The Poor, named by The Chronicle of Philanthropy as the largest international relief and development organization in the nation, does much more than feed millions of the hungry poor in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. This interdenominational Christian ministry provides emergency relief assistance, clean water, medicines, educational materials, homes, support for orphans and the aged, skills training and micro-enterprise development assistance, with more than 95 percent of all donations going directly to programs that help the poor. For more information, please visit www.FoodForThePoor.org.

Caribbean-themed event opens hearts and doors for Haiti

The 10-year involvement and steadfast support from northern Illinois residents ensured The Hope for Haitians Committee and Food For The Poor’s fundraising event, An Evening in the Tropics, was a well-attended event with more than 320 guests.

Residents from the Rockford/Chicago communities showed their commitment to Haiti by funding the final phase of construction for the Hope Friendship Village in Chastenoye, Haiti, and the first phase of a self-sustaining village in Mazere, Haiti. Donors also provided school sponsorships for 200 children from the Rockford Friendship Village and the Hope Friendship Village.

Rhythmic sounds of a steel drummer started the Caribbean-themed event’s cocktail reception and exclusive silent auction. Bidding on auction prizes offered opportunities for guests to donate to the cause at the same time. Prizes included art and collectibles from the Caribbean and Latin America, designer jewelry, luxury vacations, and golf and dining packages. An Evening in the Tropics offered a full night of exceptional dining, dancing and inspirational moments.

During the cocktail reception, guests for the first time had an opportunity to walk inside a pre-fabricated structure that portrays a 12-by-12-foot yellow Food For The Poor house. For $3,200, Food For The Poor can build a single-unit home with sanitation to replace a crumbling shack that leaks when it rains. The simple structure had a tremendous impact on the guests. Since 1982, Food For The Poor has constructed more than 76,013 new housing units with concrete foundations, locking doors, windows, and zinc roofs with hurricane straps in the countries it serves.

The event co-chairpersons and committee members devised a unique way to inspire attendees to contribute toward making a difference in the lives of others. For a $25 donation, more than 100 guests purchased a starfish for the chance to win either a Tiffany gold and silver cross necklace or a men’s Polo watch.

Five-year-old Riley Kegley’s fundraising campaign started even earlier. In July, to prepare for his birthday, he decided to donate his birthday savings to benefit the people of Haiti. With the help of his mom, who is a committee member, Riley created a YouTube video to share his birthday goal with family and friends. To his surprise he not only raised enough money to buy a cow – he raised enough money to buy two cows and three goats.

The master of ceremonies for this year’s event was veteran broadcast journalist Mike Robinson. Co-chairmen Tom Lorden, Pat Bachrodt and Peter Roche and members of the surrounding communities have traveled multiple times to Haiti to meet the people who directly benefit from this annual event’s proceeds.

Event committee members included Joseph Altenhoff, Patrick Bachrodt, Rev. David Beauvais, Virginia Canavan, William Clancy, Michael Delany, Brian & Missy Hand, Frank Haney, Msgr. Robert Hoffman, Theresa Kegley, Danny Lorden, Tom & Nancy Lorden, Bob McLaughlin, Philip Nicolosi, Patti Rangel, Peter Roche, Andy Schultheis and Jerry Weber.

An Evening in the Tropics sponsors included: AAA Quality Limo, Aurora Central Catholic, Bachrodt Motors on State, Dick & Marg Bachrodt, Lou Bachrodt Auto Group, Lou Bachrodt Foundation, Barrick Switzer Long Balsley & Van Evera, Ralph J. Baudhuin Foundation, Boylan Catholic High School, William & Catherine Clancy, Comerica Bank, Mike & Donna Cristoforo, Crowe Horwath, LLP, Mike & Colleen Delany, Diamond Envelope, Tony & Jean Domino, Focus Financial Advisors Inc., Joe Geraghty, Giovanni's Restaurant, Brian & Missy Hand and Family, Joe Hansberry – NAPA, Holy Family Church, Kelley Williamson Company, Thomas & Lesley Killoren, Jeffrey & Sally Krogh, Lorden Charitable Foundation, Robert and Mary Lou McLaughlin, Rebecca Newton, Nicolosi & Associates, OSF St. Anthony Medical Center, Our Lady of Good Counsel, Rhonda & RC Pottinger, Resource Dealer Group, Inc, Risch Family Foundation, Riverside Community Bank, Peter & Sandy Roche Family, Savant Capital Management, Fern Shore, St. James Catholic Church, St. John Neumann Church, St. Katherine Drexel, St. Thomas More, Warner Specialized Petroleum Services, and WIPFLi HEWINS.

Food For The Poor, the third-largest international relief and development organization in the nation, does much more than feed millions of the hungry poor in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. This interdenominational Christian ministry provides emergency relief assistance, clean water, medicines, educational materials, homes, support for orphans and the aged, skills training and micro-enterprise development assistance, with more than 96 percent of all donations going directly to programs that help the poor.

For more information, please visit www.FoodForThePoor.org.

Contact:
Jennifer Leigh Oates
Food For The Poor
Public Relations
954-427-2222 x 6054
jennifero@foodforthepoor.com

Tom Lorden
Event Co-Chairman
815-964-1904
tomlorden@hotmail.com>

Hope for Haiti unites Rockford residents

Are you in need of some Caribbean flair? There is still time to purchase your ticket to The Hope for Haitians Committee and Food For The Poor’s 10th annual fundraising event An Evening in the Tropics, Saturday, Sept. 10 at Giovanni’s Restaurant & Convention Center. Come enjoy the melodies of a steel drummer and a heavenly slice of key lime pie as Illinois residents gather to raise money to build a village in Mazere, Haiti, and provide school sponsorships for 200 children from the Rockford Friendship Village and the Hope Friendship Village.

An Evening in the Tropics will include a cocktail reception, silent auction, and formal dinner with friends and members of the surrounding communities. Bidding on silent auction prizes such as exclusive art and collectibles from the Caribbean and Latin America, designer jewelry, vacations, golf and dining packages offer opportunities for guests to shop and donate to the cause.

For additional information regarding the An Evening in the Tropics event, including sponsorship levels and tickets, which are available at $100 per person, please call, 1-888-404-4248 or visit the website www.FoodForThePoor.org/rockford.

Master of ceremonies for this year’s event is veteran broadcast journalist Mike Robinson. Co-chairmen Tom Lorden, Pat Bachrodt and Peter Roche and members of the surrounding communities have traveled multiple times to Haiti to meet the people who directly benefit from the annual event’s proceeds.

This year, Hurricane Irene postponed the travel plans for five residents of the Rockford/Chicago-area communities to visit Haiti with the nonprofit Food For The Poor. The trip has since been rescheduled for October. Group members will survey earthquake damage in Port-au-Prince, meet children and their families who live in Shada in thatched homes built on rotting trash, learn about a women’s empowerment program where greeting cards are made using banana bark, and distribute hygiene supplies at a Cap-Haitien prison.

Event committee members include Joseph Altenhoff, Patrick Bachrodt, Rev. David Beauvais, Virginia Canavan, William Clancy, Michael Delany, Brian & Missy Hand, Frank Haney, Msgr. Robert Hoffman, Theresa Kegley, Danny Lorden, Tom & Nancy Lorden, Bob McLaughlin, Philip Nicolosi, Patti Rangel, Peter Roche, Andy Schultheis and Jerry Weber.

An Evening in the Tropics sponsors include: AAA Quality Limo, Aurora Central Catholic, Bachrodt Motors on State, Dick & Marg Bachrodt, Lou Bachrodt Auto Group, Lou Bachrodt Foundation, Barrick Switzer Long Balsley & Van Evera, Ralph J. Baudhuin Foundation, Boylan Catholic High School, William & Catherine Clancy, Comerica Bank, Mike & Donna Cristoforo, Crowe Horwath, LLP, Mike & Colleen Delany, Diamond Envelope, Tony & Jean Domino, Focus Financial Advisors Inc., Joe Geraghty, Giovanni's Resturant, Brian & Missy Hand and Family, Joe Hansberry – NAPA, Holy Family Church, Kelley Williamson Company, Thomas & Lesley Killoren, Jeffrey & Sally Krogh, Lorden Charitable Foundation, Robert and Mary Lou McLaughlin, Rebecca Newton, Nicolosi & Associates, OSF St. Anthony Medical Center, Our Lady of Good Counsel, Rhonda & RC Pottinger, Resource Dealer Group, Inc, Risch Family Foundation, Riverside Community Bank, Peter & Sandy Roche Family, Savant Capital Management, Fern Shore, St. James Catholic Church, St. John Neumann Church, St. Katherine Drexel, St. Thomas More, Warner Specialized Petroleum Services, and WIPFLi HEWINS.

Food For The Poor, the third-largest international relief and development organization in the nation, does much more than feed millions of hungry poor in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. This interdenominational Christian agency provides emergency relief assistance, clean water, medicines, educational materials, homes, support for orphans and the aged, skills training and micro-enterprise development assistance, with more than 96 percent of all donations going directly to programs that help the poor. For more information, please visit www.FoodForThePoor.org.

Contacts:
Jennifer Leigh Oates
Food For The Poor
Public Relations
954-427-2222 x 6054
jennifero@foodforthepoor.com

Tom Lorden
Event Co-Chairman
815-964-1904
tomlorden@hotmail.com

Haitian Village Unites Rockford Residents

The nine-year involvement and steadfast support from northern Illinois residents ensured The Hope for Haitians Committee and Food For The Poor’s fundraising event, An Evening in the Tropics, was the most well-attended event ever with more than 340 guests. Masters of ceremonies for the event were the dedicated co-chairmen Tom Lorden, Pat Bachrodt and Peter Roche.

“The growth of this event over the last 10 years has been truly inspiring for us,” said Lorden. “We are most grateful to everyone who has participated in helping the truly poor people of Haiti.”

Residents from the Rockford/Chicago communities showed their commitment to assist Haiti’s rebuilding effort by attending the event at Giovanni’s restaurant. Proceeds will be used to help fund the construction of a self-sustaining village in Chastenoye, Cap-Haitien, Haiti.

Rockford’s Bishop, Most Reverend Thomas Doran, spoke at the event and endorsed the work of The Hope for Haitians Committee, through the international relief and development organization Food For The Poor. He fervently asked attendees to not forget the extreme needs of our brothers and sisters in Haiti.

Delane Bailey-Herd, Food For The Poor’s project manager for Haiti, shared experiences from her recent journeys to that country. Since the earthquake, she has witnessed the dire situation become increasingly desperate.

Fern Shore, a faithful event attendee for years, was so emotionally inspired by Bailey-Herd’s passionate plea on behalf of the poor that she wrote a letter. Shore inquired how she and others can donate to the charity’s mission, whether buying goats or building critically needed permanent shelter.

“What this group [The Hope for Haitians Committee and Food For The Poor] has accomplished is utterly amazing, and I could not be prouder to be a small part of the organization,” Shore wrote.

Members of the Rockford-based Hope for Haitians Committee have traveled to Haiti multiple times. They have met children and their families who live in thatched homes built on rotting trash in low-lying coastal areas. Illnesses spread quickly in these garbage-ridden areas. In these unimaginable living conditions, people suffer from malnutrition and lack adequate homes and access to safe, clean drinking water.

“The dramatic transformation the annual galas have made in the lives of so many Haitians is night and day,” said Bachrodt. “Together we are bringing hope, and making a difference in the lives of so many.”

Progress and growth, in Haiti:

2009 -2011: Fundraised for the “Hope Friendship Village” in Chastenoye, to house those displaced by the earthquake, as well as those who are living in the Prolongé swamp. Proceeds will complete the three-year project that includes the construction of 100 housing units, 50 sanitation units, an artesian well, a community center, animal-rearing and agricultural projects, and two solar panel lights.

2007 – 2008: Established the “Rockford Friendship Village” in Prolongé, which includes 100 housing units, 50 sanitation units, three artesian wells, a community center, three tilapia ponds, start in life projects, a solar panel light, and the implementation of a feeding program.

2006: Installed 30 water wells in Cap-Haitien, providing more than 50,000 people the gift of lifesaving water.

2005: Provided 18 water wells and 125 hand pumps, enabled 70,000 people in Gonaives to access clean, safe drinking water.

2004: Completed 17 wells, providing clean water for 120,000 people in Cap-Haitien, Limonade and Plaine du Nord.

2003: Drilled water wells in Duval, Petionville, and Barbancourt to provide approximately 27,000 people access to clean, safe drinking water.

2002: Completed the Dubois Water Project in Port-de-Paix, which directly affected 3,000 people.

2001: Built 50 Food For The Poor housing units, in Cotes-de-Fer.

To make a donation to fund Phase III of the “Hope Friendship Village,” in Chastenoye, please call, 1-888-404-4248 or visit the Food For The Poor's Web site.

Committee members included: Pat Bachrodt, Rev. David Beauvais, William Clancy, Mike Delany, Brian and Missy Hand, Frank Haney, Msgr. Robert Hoffman, Danny Lorden, Tom and Nancy Lorden, Bob McLaughlin, Philip Nicolosi, Al and Terry Provenzano, Patti Rangel, Pete Roche, Jody Schumacher, and Jerry Weber.

An Evening in the Tropics sponsors included: AAA Quality Limousines, LTD; Lou Bachrodt Automotive Group; Lou Bachrodt Foundation; Bachrodt Motors on State; Barrick Switzer Long Balsley & Van Evera; William & Catherine Clancy; Crowe Horwath LLP; Mike & Colleen Delany; Tony & Jean Domino; Focus Financial Advisors; Giovanni’s Restaurant; Joseph Geraghty; Brian & Missy Hand; Joe Hansberry; Holy Cross Church; Holy Family Church; Kelley Williamson Company; Thomas & Leslie Killoren; Jeff & Sally Krogh; Lindgren, Callihan, Van Osdol & Co., Ltd; Lorden Charitable Foundation; Robert & Mary Lou McLaughlin; Rebecca Newton; Nicolosi & Associates, Inc.; Our Lady of Good Counsel; Papa John's Pizza; R.C. & Rhonda Pottinger; Resource Dealer Group, Inc.; Risch Family Foundation; Riverside Community Bank; Peter & Sandy Roche Family; Savant Capital Management, Inc.; SMITH-GRAMLEY Ltd.; St. Edward Church; St. James Church; St. Katherine Drexel; St. Thomas the Apostle Church; SupplyCore Inc.; Warner Specialized Petroleum Services; Gerald & Patti Weber, Jr.; Williams-Manny Insurance.

Food For The Poor, the largest international relief and development organization in the nation, does much more than feed millions of hungry poor in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. This interdenominational Christian agency provides emergency relief assistance, clean water, medicines, educational materials, homes, support for orphans and the aged, skills training and micro-enterprise development assistance, with more than 96 percent of all donations going directly to programs that help the poor.For more information, please visit www.FoodForThePoor.org.