The Morrow Memorial United Methodist Church Youth Group is traveling to Mizak, Haiti on April 18, during spring break, where they will work with a local community group to help bring water filters, solar lamps and smoke-free stoves to the townspeople, support artisans as a way to increase employment, and help build a maternal health clinic.
These efforts are through the organization HAPI (Haitian Artisans for Peace International.)
The group is seeking to raise $8,000 to fund the trip; as of March 19, they have raised $2,235.
The teens are holding a fundraiser and silent auction on Saturday, March 21 at 6 p.m. at Morrow Church in Maplewood. There will be a chili cook-off — with chili from the best Maplewood/South Orange cooks, including celebrity chef Jessie Jones — children’s activities, live music and great auction items including Keith Haring and Basquiat artwork, an Ocean Grove vacation home, dinner at favorite local restaurants, a group cooking lesson, mani-pedis, baskets of gifts and more!
“Scott Stemmermann’s band will kick us off and a group of musicians from Starfish and other bands in town are coming together for a special performance,” said Rev. Brenda Wheeler Ehlers. “Also, Chef Jesse is also donating a dinner for four, cooked and served at your home, as well as a cooking class for up to 20 at Morrow Church.”
Suggested donation for adults is $20; children are free, and you can pay at the door. If you are unable attend the fundraiser, visit the Go Fund Me site to make a tax-free donation.
Read more about the group and their trip:
We are a small group of teens trying to expand our horizons, partake in service and volunteer work, and get in touch with our global community. But we can’t afford to do this without your help!…Fueled by hope and effort (and your generous funding!), our work abroad will be sustainable and benefit the people we meet and serve.
Our time in Mizak, Haiti, will not be possible without your support. Over the past few months, we’ve been working to raise funds for our upcoming mission trip, but we still need a few thousand dollars to meet our goal. Our target is $8,000. Even by providing a dozen dollars, you will make a difference.
