So What Have We Been Up To?

It's been a little while since I've updated here, but so much has happened!

Last Thursday, April 22, we set up our table, hung our sign and began passing out informational flyers at the WalMart in Quakertown. As I've said before, the folks at the WM up there have been more than helpful as we have come in multiple times to get 4 & 5 cart loads of towels, band-aids, toothbrushes, soap, etc. So when we began to think about where to hold some fundraisers, that was the perfect place to start.

It was a rather chilly morning, but we put on our smiles and started to greet customers by saying "Good morning, we're with the Tents for Haiti Project and we are doing a fundraiser today to raise money to send down our 2nd trailer load of aid." There were mixed reactions from excitement, to quizzical looks, to total disinterest, but overall, people were very receptive to at least listening to what our project was all about. Some folks gave money, some shopped for things we put into relief kits and at the end of the 13 hours, we went home, again feeling very blessed and thankful to live in such a generous, giving community.

At that fundraiser, we received $659.09 and lots of hygiene supplies! Thanks to everyone who came out and gave something for our project- thanks even go to the people that asked the hard questions, then allowed us to answer their concerns. We appreciate each and every one of you!

Then on Friday, we got a call that our 2nd trailer was ready to be loaded. Now, we didn't have a whole trailer to load, as we had pallets of things that hadn't fit on our first trailer that were now on this trailer. We got about 7 other people and, after cleaning out our storage unit in Telford, took everything over to the loading dock and began unloading the cube truck into the trailer. We sent more tents, blankets, sheets, sleeping bags, medical supplies, walkers, crutches, a wheelchair, a crib, empty buckets and 160 more "Hope in a Bucket" kits! It was a great feeling of accomplishment to know that these items would again be delivered to people who so desperately need what we are sending.

Our sincerest thanks go to Gus Kerver, a truck-driving friend of Jim Frankenfield's, who gave time away from his family to drive this trailer down to the port in Florida, arriving this morning, where God willing, this trailer will set sail this afternoon for Port au Prince!!

Then, on Sunday afternoon, after a morning of cold rain, we held our second fundraiser at the Rita's in Harleysville. Upon arriving, we set up a canopy to cover/protect our raffle prizes, we set up a computer that showed a "movie" of our Project from it's beginning through the delivery of the first trailer to Cotes de Fer, and we waited for people to show up...

We didn't have to wait long! Friends from church started trickling in and despite the weather, we had a pretty good turnout. It was a great afternoon of water ice & custard, lots of laughing, renewing of friendships and raising money to help our friends in Haiti. All tolled, we raised over $550.00 that afternoon. Another success!

That brings us to our third fundraiser, which will be held tomorrow night, Thursday, 4/29, from 5-9 p.m. at the Quakertown Red Robin. For anyone who comes into the restaurant with a TFH coupon and buys food and/or beverages (alcohol is excluded), Red Robin will donate 10% of that amount back to the Tents for Haiti Project. That is a win/win proposition- you buy dinner for your family at a place that has awesome food and they give us 10% of whatever you spend!! How do you get a coupon, you ask? Go to this link: http://www.identitypa.com/robin_flyer.pdf

We hope to see you there!

Our last planned fundraiser is a doozy! On Friday night, May 7 we will be holding the "Hope for Haiti Marketplace" in conjunction with "Spade & Trade for Haiti". The "Marketplace" will be held in the West Street Community Center at Souderton Mennonite Church, 105 W. Chestnut St., and there you will find all your favorite Home Party companies. There will be 19 vendors including Pampered Chef, Avon, Silpada, Tupperware, Close To My Heart, Mia Bella Candles, Mary Kay, Uppercase Living, Lia Sophia, Arbonne and more. You can also purchase beautiful notecards by our own 13-yr. old photographer, Mattea Ruth! There will be raffle prizes donated by each of the vendors and also, a bake sale where you can purchase some really wonderful treats!

At the same time all this is going on, we are going to be holding "Spade & Trade for Haiti" out in the lower parking lot. For this event, people who have extra perennials, tubers, etc. will be donating their excess and then anyone who is interested in having new plants for their garden may choose whatever they want and all we ask is a donation in any amount- maybe what you would have to pay for the things you chose in a garden center. If you have plants to donate or questions about this event, please email richdawn.moore@gmail.com. If you just want new plants, don't feel you need to bring plants-anyone can "trade"!

We are anticipating a great night of fun so tell your friends and come on out! We'll be looking for you!!