Hope for Haiti Carnival!
Thursday, April 29, 2010
HOPE FOR HAITI CARNIVAL -- COME ONE AND ALL!!!
Jumping castle, giant slide, jousting, cotton candy, bake sale, games, and more!
DATE: May 8th
PLACE: Resurrection Middle School
TIME: 10-4
We want to share with you the very important reason for the Hope for Haiti Carnival and tell you a story about why we are all so excited and want to help this particular cause.
In the beginning of the year, our 8th grade class saw the movie Pay It Forward. The theme took off and the children decided they would truly like to do Jesus' work and help in a way they could actually see their results. Then the tragedy in Haiti occurred and one discussion led to another. Hence, the idea for a carnival arose, not just because they would enjoy planning and attending it, but because they felt it would make a lot of money, and a bigger difference in people's lives (more than just a bake sale). Who should we help was the big question -- "KIDS" came the unanimous decision. (They wanted to literally adopt some children (not kidding) -- but we tamed and redirected their aspirations).
In walked Maria Curran (a Rye mom of 5) to my house with a tale about her father, the doctor who was going to Haiti with her cousin, Elissa to help children who lost limbs in the earthquake. Our class then watched a video about a little boy named Kenan who had lost 2 arms and 1 leg as a result of a land mine. He cried for 2 days. Kenan tells how he realized he could not cry anymore because "crying helps nothing...That is when an angel came to save me." That angel arrived in the form of Elissa Montanti, founder and director of the Global Medical Relief Fund -- a small charity in Staten Island, dedicating to helping "one child at a time." Shriners Hospital for Children and Long Island Plastic Surgical Group provide the prosthetics, surgery and rehabilitation for free. These children need money for food and shelter while they are receiving this vital help. Many children remain here till they are 18 as their bodies grow. GMRF provides a safe haven for children who are victims of war and natural disasters during this time because the countries they are from often do not accept or even welcome children with deformities -- making it impossible for them to live happily or productively in their homelands.
Such was the case with Kenan, who would not have been able to return to his country and live a good life. Elissa has since adopted him, and he helps to run GMRF. This truly amazing story touched our children and they wanted to reach out to the entire religious prep classes. They knew if people heard this story, they would want to help these children live a better life. The most amazing part of this giving story is that our children will meet some of the kids who have received help from GMRF because they will attend our carnival. What better way for our kids to see first hand who and how their efforts helped. Kenan will also be on hand and we want to give all these children the "Rye Hospitality." Currently Elissa is in Haiti hoping to return with 3 more children (60 Minutes is recently covering her efforts in Haiti)
If you are unable to attend the carnival you can sponsor a ride, a game booth or make a private donation payable to Global Medical Relief Fund via Tom Roche, (director of Resurrection Prep classes), your catechist or mail to Maria Curran at 349 Park Avenue, Rye, NY.
Please jump on board in discussion with your children about this worthwhile event. We feel the children of our CCD class have truly provided the best way for all of us to work together as a Resurrection family -- a wonderful gift and miracle to share!
Call or email any questions, visit the web site or ask your child -- lets make this an event for our children to remember their whole lives! There are so many ways to become involved.
Click here
Jumping castle, giant slide, jousting, cotton candy, bake sale, games, and more!
DATE: May 8th
PLACE: Resurrection Middle School
TIME: 10-4
We want to share with you the very important reason for the Hope for Haiti Carnival and tell you a story about why we are all so excited and want to help this particular cause.
In the beginning of the year, our 8th grade class saw the movie Pay It Forward. The theme took off and the children decided they would truly like to do Jesus' work and help in a way they could actually see their results. Then the tragedy in Haiti occurred and one discussion led to another. Hence, the idea for a carnival arose, not just because they would enjoy planning and attending it, but because they felt it would make a lot of money, and a bigger difference in people's lives (more than just a bake sale). Who should we help was the big question -- "KIDS" came the unanimous decision. (They wanted to literally adopt some children (not kidding) -- but we tamed and redirected their aspirations).
In walked Maria Curran (a Rye mom of 5) to my house with a tale about her father, the doctor who was going to Haiti with her cousin, Elissa to help children who lost limbs in the earthquake. Our class then watched a video about a little boy named Kenan who had lost 2 arms and 1 leg as a result of a land mine. He cried for 2 days. Kenan tells how he realized he could not cry anymore because "crying helps nothing...That is when an angel came to save me." That angel arrived in the form of Elissa Montanti, founder and director of the Global Medical Relief Fund -- a small charity in Staten Island, dedicating to helping "one child at a time." Shriners Hospital for Children and Long Island Plastic Surgical Group provide the prosthetics, surgery and rehabilitation for free. These children need money for food and shelter while they are receiving this vital help. Many children remain here till they are 18 as their bodies grow. GMRF provides a safe haven for children who are victims of war and natural disasters during this time because the countries they are from often do not accept or even welcome children with deformities -- making it impossible for them to live happily or productively in their homelands.
Such was the case with Kenan, who would not have been able to return to his country and live a good life. Elissa has since adopted him, and he helps to run GMRF. This truly amazing story touched our children and they wanted to reach out to the entire religious prep classes. They knew if people heard this story, they would want to help these children live a better life. The most amazing part of this giving story is that our children will meet some of the kids who have received help from GMRF because they will attend our carnival. What better way for our kids to see first hand who and how their efforts helped. Kenan will also be on hand and we want to give all these children the "Rye Hospitality." Currently Elissa is in Haiti hoping to return with 3 more children (60 Minutes is recently covering her efforts in Haiti)
If you are unable to attend the carnival you can sponsor a ride, a game booth or make a private donation payable to Global Medical Relief Fund via Tom Roche, (director of Resurrection Prep classes), your catechist or mail to Maria Curran at 349 Park Avenue, Rye, NY.
Please jump on board in discussion with your children about this worthwhile event. We feel the children of our CCD class have truly provided the best way for all of us to work together as a Resurrection family -- a wonderful gift and miracle to share!
Call or email any questions, visit the web site or ask your child -- lets make this an event for our children to remember their whole lives! There are so many ways to become involved.
Click here
