While the images of the devasting earthquake in Haiti were horrible to see and will be permanently etched in our minds, at the same time it's frustrating to me that we no longer see or hear anything about the hardships that are still taking place in this area. It was all we saw for days on the news in the earthquake's aftermath, but now all of a sudden it appears that things have miraculously 'gone back to normal' in Haiti. This is definitely not the case. While there are people in some parts of the country that have begun to resume some sense of normalcy, there are still many, many people displaced and without the basic necessities that so many of us are accustomed to. There are thousands of victims that have not been reached and many frenzied aid workers who are struggling to distribute emergency relief supplies to them. Many of us feel helpless and powerless thinking about how great this devastation truly is, but the truth is there is something each one of us can do. There are 25 businesses in our area ( http://www.bewomenonline.com/be-the-difference-community-project-haiti.cfm) that are teaming up to raise money for HOPE International. HOPE International is a Christian faith-based, non-profit organization that focuses on alleviating physical and spiritual poverty through microenterprise development. These local businesses have all come up with a way to donate a portion of YOUR purchase to this organization, so you are able to shop as you normally do while at the same time knowing that you are helping those in such great need. This can be as simple as choosing to purchase your morning coffee at one of the participating coffee shops during the length of the campaign, or purchasing that new piece of art at one of the participating shops in Valley Junction. The great news is that HOPE International has already exceeded their financial goal for meeting the urgent needs in Haiti through their generous supporters. So, the money raised throughout these next 4 weeks will go to the Haiti Redevelopment Fund. This fund will assist in Haiti’s rebuilding by helping HOPE expand their microfinance services to reach those that lost their livelihoods in the earthquake. Whether it's through prayer or a purchase, you CAN help the victims in Haiti! Together we can BE the Difference!
To find out more about HOPE International, or to see their progress in Haiti, please visit www.hopeinternational.org or watch their video library at http://www.youtube.com/hopeinternational
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