Pickering raises funds after Haiti quake

January 22, 2010
By Kristen Calis

Pickering News Advertiser
PICKERING -- Local generosity poured in at a fundraiser Wednesday night to help the victims of the Haiti earthquake.

Al Dente Restaurant in Pickering donated its space for the event and provided food and drink to relief supporters throughout the evening. Mayor Dave Ryan, council and community members donated items to a silent auction and residents emptied their wallets to help the Canadian Red Cross provide food, water and other necessities to Haitian residents, and to help start rebuilding the devastated country.

"It's good for the collection of money and it's great for awareness too," said Michael Head, Pickering resident and partner in Walker Head Lawyers, an injury law firm based in Pickering, as he purchased a large block of raffle tickets.

His wife Debbie Andersen said the event provided an outlet for people to get together and not only donate, but discuss the tragedy in Haiti, much more meaningful than the solitude of clicking a button online to donate.

"It's really nice to have something where people can come together," she said.

The evening saw more than $6,000 from ticket sales and donations, which the federal government will match. That's not including silent auction money and donations promised from corporations.

Politicians and community members worked quickly with Al Dente when restaurant owners called to see how they could help Haiti. The Pickering Community for Haitian Relief Effort was then born.

The committee's ultimate goal is to raise $100,000, but more so to encourage other community organizations to do their own fundraising for Haiti.

"A lot of people get frustrated because they don't know how to (donate)," said mayoral candidate Maurice Brenner, relief effort co-chairman.

Ward 1 City Councillor Jennifer O'Connell, also co-chairwoman, said councillors and politicians have a unique opportunity to help raise awareness on the issue through their wide range of contacts.

"It's also a challenge to other politicians to help mobilize communities to hold similar functions and raise some money," she said.

The Pickering Carib-Canadian Cultural Association is a community partner in the effort and vice president Fred Gibson noted the quake hasn't only hurt people in Haiti, but many in Pickering's diverse community.

"You've got to get up and do something," he said, adding the PCCCA will do what it can to help.
President Susan Maturine, whose friends have lost people in the quake, mentioned the PCCCA sponsors a teenage girl in Haiti and has her fingers crossed she wasn't one of the victims.

Mr. Head feels people, including the federal government and admittedly himself, should do more for the relief effort than they are.

"I appreciate everybody doesn't make the same amount but there has to be a line to draw to give until they notice," he said.

To get involved:

E-MAIL: Maurice.brenner@rogers.com