Artwork raises funds for “Goals for Haiti”

May’s display at the Main Branch of the Cape May County Library, 30 Mechanic St., Cape May Court House, features artwork by children in Cape May County as well as drawings by the children in Bord de Mer, Haiti used to raise funds for “Goals for Haiti.”
In 2007 a local effort to house a destitute family in Haiti took on a life of its own and is now a fifteen home community known as Cape May County Village in Bord de Mer, Haiti.
As the housing project unfolded, and Haiti’s great need became more evident to local residents, several spin-off projects arose.
When a primary school opened its doors for the first time in 2008, tuition for 350 children in and around Cape May County Village was raised by countywide fundraisers. The fundraisers provided books, uniforms, supplies, transportation, and most importantly, one full meal daily for the Haitian children.
When Cape Express Soccer Club encouraged regional clubs to donate used soccer balls and equipment for impoverished kids in Haiti, over half a ton was collected and shipped to Cape May County Village.
Some local students saw photos of the Haitian children running down dirt roads kicking the soccer balls and decided that goal posts were needed for kids to play real games.
In 2009 the Children’s Charity Art Show and a Soccer and Spaghetti Dinner were held, raising enough money to buy and ship regulation soccer goals to Bord de Mer, Haiti. A parcel of land adjacent to the Haitian school has since been designated as the future soccer field.
What could be more rewarding than to watch children become empowered? Because of their involvement, kids in Cape May County are becoming more aware of their blessings and their ability to make a difference in the world.
The Haitian kids, for their part, have new opportunities opening before them, expanding their horizons and making them aware of life’s possibilities. Furthermore, each group of kids now has a stake in each other’s community, a reason to care, and that could be a recipe for peace.
For additional information, call 609-463-6350.