Dear Friends,

A few weeks ago, my friend Bladimy, who lives in Haiti, sent me photos of the tragedies in his village from the historic hurricane Melissa that devastated Jamaica, Cuba, and the Bahamas. Catastrophic flash floods had killed many children and elderly in his village. It was heart wrenching to see. Only 30 people in Haiti were reported to have passed away from the flooding, yet based on the photographs I saw, it was apparent to me that there were so many more fatalities.

Every year, with your help, Bladimy throws a Christmas party for his village. Violent gangs have seized control of highways, agriculture, airports..you name it, making food and medicine scarce. Every December, Bladimy discreetly makes the trip to gang ridden port-au-prince to collect items to give away freely to those with even less than him. I asked Bladimy if we only were able to raise $1,000 (choosing between medical, toys, and food) what he thought was most needed for his people. The answer was medical treatment and Christmas toys for the kids. My goal is to raise money to provide one Christmas toy to each child in his village, hire nurses to come and provide medical treatment to anyone that needs it (money for medicine and their time), and provide food to people who have absolutely nothing.

My husband and I sent Bladimy an emergency $350 after the flood when he had nothing left for food. Of course there are so many needy people, and worthy causes out there! This is my cause, and Bladimy is my friend. If you feel a little tug in your heart, please know that no amount is too small. If I had more money, I’d pay for the whole thing! That is why I am asking for your help. Please help me this Christmas to give to those who don’t even have shoes on their feet. To whom every gift is a miracle.

Give a child what may be their only toy. Medical care to a person who could not otherwise afford to be seen. Food to a family who barely has enough for the next meal.

Bladimy is always checking on me and my family. Offering up Masses for us. Praying for us, and caring for us. We love him! Please help if you can.

My friendship with Bladimy

I have known Bladimy for 10 years—we met through a friend who ran a music program for the poor in Haiti. At the time, I needed a trumpet player, and she connected me with one of her instructors, Bladimy! He played trumpet with my makeshift band on a mission trip through Saint Margaret Mary Church, in Winter Park, in 2015. Since then, we’ve become close friends, talking weekly, and worked together on medical missions with local nurses for local children, community harvest festivals (feeding his community), and caring for the most vulnerable in his village.

Ways to donate

-Checks written to Eva Weingarten

-Cash

-Zelle (407-486-5872) registered under Eva Weingarten

-Venmo (@Eva-Weingarten)

-Go fund me

All donations will be added to the GoFundMe. Donations received through check, cash, Zelle, or Venmo will be manually added to the GoFundMe so we can keep track of how much money you have raised.

 If you’ve read this far—thank you! I hope you all have a very happy Thanksgiving, and have a very merry Christmas —and to my Jewish cousins—I hope you have a VERY happy Hanukkah!

God bless you,

Eva

Some photos from last year’s fundraiser!