Another successful and fun evening was had on  August 25th as Hope for Haitians hosted their 11th Annual Dinner to benefit their village projects in Haiti.

The entire evening was filled with the ambiance of the tropics from the moment guests walked into the silent auction and were welcomed by the sounds of the steel drum. Guests were dressed in their finest island attire and enjoyed hors d’oeuvres while bidding on silent  auction items such as trips, jewelry, décor and event tickets.

During the evening, guests heard from several speakers including Hope for Haitians trustee, Pat Bachrodt.  Mr. Bachrodt shared observations about the recent trip to Haiti where he visited  the Rockford Friendship Village, the second of four villages built by Hope for Haitians. “It looks better today than it did four years ago. They have fallen in love with taking care of their places. We took 50 families and put them in a place they never thought they could be, a place of dignity and hope … We’re on the way to building another village and, with your support, I hope we can do it.”  Pat and  the fellow founding trustees, Tom Lorden and Pete Roche have been committed to supporting Haiti for over 11 years.

Guest speaker Angel Aloma, Executive Director of Food For The Poor, spoke of his idea for a “bucket list for the poor” that included survival of their children and homes that would protect their families. “Once they have a home,” he said, “miraculous things happen. Once they have a home, they can get a job because their kids will be safe in that home with a door that locks”.

The homes built by Hope for Haitians, he said, “give families security and dignity and let them do what we all want for our families … You have given them love, dignity, hope and success.”

Be sure to SAVE THE DATE for next year’s An Evening in the Tropics on, August 24th, 2013