Group Hosts Concert Fundraiser For Starting Small Businesses In Haiti
NEW YORK (WCBS 880) – While the images of the earthquake and tsunami devastation in Japan are fresh in the minds of many Americans, some groups are still at work to help the people of Haiti, the Caribbean nation still recovering from its deadly quake in January 2010.
LISTEN: WCBS 880's Ginny Kosola on this evening's fundraiser
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One group is holding a benefit concert of Celtic music on Long Island on Saturday evening.
The Celtic Music Benefit at Our Lady of Mercy Academy in Syosset is part of a greater effort to raise money for Zafan, a project of the Vincentian family of St. Vincent de Paul.
"People all over the world can donate small amounts of money, which in Haiti can be translated into launching many, many significant projects," said Sister Sean, a spokesperson for the fundraiser.
In its first six months, the program has already funded more than 400 microprojects, which provide small amounts of money for small business loans and grants to help Haitians start businesses. The projects include anything from helping to start chicken farms to the reforesting of trees.
The idea of the concert was from Father Joseph John Foley, who is a Vincentian priest and works at the United Nations.
The concert starts at 4 p.m. on Saturday.
