Partners and Supporters
It all started with a college student who had a dream back in 1989. ECR Software Corporation's founder Peter Catoe and a handful of his co-workers started a small software company in North Carolina based on a simple philosophy: "Develop and deliver commonsense retail solutions that work as advertised. Take care of your customers and employees, and profits will follow." Their business model is a direct result of Pete Catoe's simple, but powerful, belief and how that belief relates to ECRS's ability to deliver the highest quality software products, world class customer satisfaction, employee development, and profitability. Following this model has enabled them to achieve revenue and income growth every year since its inception.
This commitment to take care of people's needs has carried over to helping those less fortunate. ECR Software Corporation has been a significant partner in the progress of the orphanage at Maison Fortuné. Specifically, they make a monthly contribution to the operating budget, helped repair the 2008 flood damage, and in 2009 provided the capital to build a stone and concrete reservoir which stores rainwater for use at the orphanage.
www.ecrsoft.com.
Since the inception of the Foundation, Chip Wirth, of Wirth Development Corporation, has lent his support to the Maison Fortuné Orphanage in Hinche, Haiti and the Foundation he helped organize. First, it was through donations of funds and supplies, then through visits to help with much-needed construction projects. Chip has traveled to Haiti three to four times a year to oversee construction of various buildings and assist with the long-range planning of the orphanage site. A few years ago, Chip and Tim Riley, his business partner and brother-in-law, designated funds from the sale of a Charity House built by Wirth Development Corporation in the neighborhood of Driver Village which is located in Suffolk, Virginia, for the benefit of the orphanage. Their subcontractors and partners, including GSH Residential, were incredibly generous in donating their services to the project. Wirth Development Corporation continues to be a strong partner with Maison Fortuné Orphanage Foundation.
www.wirthdevelopment.com
Much support has been provided through the Xaverian Brothers. Founded by Theodore James Ryken in 1839, they are committed in service to delivering Christian education and helping people to know God. The Xaverian Brothers are involved in missionary work not only in Haiti, but also Lithuania, Sudan, Bolivia, Uganda, Congo, and Kenya.
www.xaverianbrothers.org
Brothers Harry Eccles and Michael McCarthy live at the orphanage and serve as volunteer staff. Brother Cosmas Rubencamp is Secretary of the Foundation and serves on its Board of Directors. Their help has been and continues to be invaluable. They really have made a big difference in the lives of the children at Maison Fortuné Orphanage.
This Germany-based organization founded by Dr. Thomas Diehl provides sponsorship support for some of the children at Maison Fortuné.
www.haiti-adoption.de/Haiti-Not-Hilfe/haiti-not-hilfe.html
This Scotland-based organization founded in 1992 by Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow provides through its Mary’s Meals program a daily hot meal to the “street children” who attend the Fortuné Jean-Louis Primary School on the orphanage campus.
www.sircharity.org
HHFC is a 501 c3 entity working across the Diocese of Richmond Parishes, in collaboration with the heathcare mission of the Diocese of Hinche in Haiti, to participate in the healing ministry of Christ amoung the under-served population of Haiti's Central Plateau.
The Foundation works with representatives from the Diocese of Richmond parishes and groups therein, local Haitian organizations, Medical Missionaries, and additional fund raising groups.
The HHCF Board works along with HHCF Associate Members are individuals with past/present experience in medical twinning projects in Haiti, or those interested in in future involvement.
www.haitianhealth.org
Greg Hanson at Aqua-Sun International has provided at a significant discount solar/battery-powered water purification systems for both the boys’ campus and the girls’ building. Now the children have safe, clean drinking water, helping to improve their health and reducing the number of illnesses related to previously contaminated water supplies. Greg and his company have continued to provide replacement filters and other supplies at a reduced cost.
www.aqua-sun-intl.com
Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School supports Maison Fortuné Orphanage in two ways: The Haiti Club at Bishop Sullivan CHS is a student organization with a mission to raise awareness of conditions in that country and engage in fund-raising efforts to support the Maison Fortuné Orphanage in Hinche, Haiti. The students have participated in car washes, Jean Day, and Coins for Kids fundraisers. Money collected has been used to purchase books for the orphanage school library and much needed school supplies. The 2009-10 club has approximately 30 members, led by student Patrick Wirth and faculty moderator Holly Smith. The club’s latest activities included a fund-raiser to support the victims of the January, 2010 earthquake.
Bishop Sullivan CHS also hosts and maintains the Maison Fortuné Orphanage Foundation web site. The webmaster, John Blandin, keeps the site current and easy to read and the foundation truly appreciates his efforts.
Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School is a community which reveals God's presence in the world by affirming the Gospel message and challenging, when necessary, the views of a secular society. The School is located at 4552 Princess Anne Road in Virginia Beach, VA.
Gurmukh Kaur, Yoga Master and founder of Golden Bridge Yoga conducted a special class to benefit the children at Maison Fortuné Orphanage. Future fund raisers are also planned although no details are available at this time.
Golden Bridge Yoga is a community, a village, where you can develop a meaningful yogic practice and a yogi lifestyle. They are dedicated to meeting their students' needs, from an everyday practice, to preparing for one special day, such as birth. Golden Bridge is a 100,000 SF of huge yoga rooms. Over 100 classes per week are offered, some of which have 200 students at a time, taught by highly experienced teachers.
The many workshops and special events held each month help deepen their clients understanding. Delicious organic food at the Nite Moon Cafe, books and music in the Golden Bridge Marketplace all enhance ones practice and enrich one’s life. The Amrita Davaa Wellness Center heightens senses with a menu of facials, massage, acupuncture, and treatments. Golden Bridge is committed to offering students inspiring classes as well as a whole yogic lifestyle. They are located at 6322 De Longpre Avenue in Hollywood, California. They also have a second location at 253 Center Street, between Grand and Broome St in New York City.
Learners for Life started out as a class assignment at Carleton University that required us to identify an issue or problem in a foreign country and theories about creating an organisation that would help improve the social progress in the specific area. After choosing to focus on Haitian orphans, and after thorough research and planning, we decided that something needed to be done to help the children, so we took an additional step and decided to actually bring the organization to life.
Learners for Life was created in order to help Maison Fortuné Orphanage Foundation by raising funds to help contribute and make a difference in the lives of the many orphans who are in need. The organisation is comprised of four official members: Paul Montsion (Public Relations), Ellyse Gallant (Human Resources), Geneviève Colverson (Governance/management), and Annie Hussain (Finance). We are currently working towards getting a non-profit incorporation and we plan on continuing our support for Maison Fortuné Orphanage Foundation.
For now, we have a facebook group called “Learners for Life” where you can check up on what is going on within our organization. If you have any questions or concerns, you can also contact us via e-mail at pr.learners4life@gmail.com. We hope to make a valuable contribution in the lives and futures of the orphans in Haiti.
For three weekends (January 30-31, February 6-7 and February 13-14), Pro Italia held a bike wash to raise funds to benefit Maison Fortuné Orphanage Foundation. In all, they raised $510.00 to benefit the children at the orphanage in Hinche, Haiti. They washed the bikes for a suggested donation of $35 per bike. Ducati executives flew in to wash bikes as well as Pro Italia owner Bill Nation and others. In addition, they donated $5 for every Pro Italia T-shirt purchased and $10 for every Pro Italia sweatshirt or jacket purchased.
Pro Italia Los Angeles is located at 3319 N Verdugo Road, Glendale, California 91208. Their telephone number is 818-249-5707 and their web site is: www.proitalia.com. Many thanks to Bill Nation, Bob Berkow, Karen and Joe for their efforts to make a difference in the life of the children at Maison Fortuné Orphanage.
Newport, Rhode Island's Soma Yoga conducted a Winter Solstice Mala benefitting the Maison Fortune Orphanage. Led by yoga Instructor Meredith LeBlanc, twenty participants raised $410 for the orphanage. Many thanks to Soma Yoga owner Cecile Madison for supporting the orphanage in this way and many thanks to all of the yoga instructors that led various rounds.
Soma Yoga is located at 2 Pond Avenue, Newport, Rhode Island. Their web site is: http:www.somayoganewport.com. Their phone number is 401-846-7662.
Rose & Womble Realty agents and staff turned out in full force for a “Bowling for Haiti” event in March. Nine teams bowled, and over 200 people participated by soliciting sponsorships and making personal donations. The result: $14,860 for the Maison Fortune Orphanage in Haiti. The funds were collected by the Rose & Womble Foundation, a tax-exempt, 501(C)(3) non-profit organization sponsored by Rose & Womble Realty Company. The Foundation is a channel for the charitable and community service energies of the company. One hundred percent of the money collected will go to the Maison Fortune Orphanage Foundation (www.mfofoundation.org).
Rose and Womble Realty Company is headquartered in Virginia Beach, Vigrinia. To learn more about Rose & Womble Realty Company, visit www.roseandwomble.com
Cameron Thornton Associates has provided financial support to Maison Fortune Orphanage Foundation. Cameron Thornton Associates is a Wealth Management firm located in Burbank California. During the period of 2001 through 2008, while Cameron Thornton Associates was a SEC Registered Investment Advisory firm, they were honored by being named to Bloomberg Wealth Manager’s Top Wealth Manager List.
Their supervisory Office:
Cameron M. Thornton
Cameron Thornton Associates
Financial Network Investment Corporation
290 E. Verdugo Avenue Suite 205
Burbank, California 91502
818 841-1746 (fax) 818 841-1954
email: cameron@cameronthornton.com
Crocs Cares, a philanthropic arm of Crocs out of Niwot, Colorado, donated 50 pair of Crocs shoes of varying sizes and colors for the children at Maison Fortune. More about this generous support from Crocs can be found under News Briefs, the May 12, 2011 article. For more information about Crocs or Crocs Cares, please visit their respective web sites: http://www.crocs.com and http://www.crocscares.com