Ashly Dort.

Back in August, we held a fundraiser on this blog to help send as many Haitian children to school as possible. See here for details. Together, we (blog readers & Facebook friends) raised enough funds for one child to attend school - little Miss Ashly Dort. Isn't she absolutely adorable!?

Thank you to all who helped this little girl to attend school ... and to ease some of her Mama's burden.

Here is the info we received once this blog (the collective of all who helped) signed on to sponsor her:

"Ashly is 7 years old. Her DOB is 2 April 2002. She is one of five children. Her mother, Aude, is unmarried and works selling goods on the roadside. She earns between $500-$600/year. Ode struggles every day to keep her family fed, clothed, and sheltered. Some days she loses the battle. For her, providing an education for Ashly was just not a possibility—that is until you stepped in and decided to sponsor her through Haitian Roots. Aude is now full of hope and Ashly is extremely happy to be attending school. Thank you!!! "

However, though I am hopeful that Ashly is alive and well after Haiti's recent earthquakes ... I honestly do not know her fate. Nor does Haitian Roots at this point --- though I absolutely know that they are working feverishly to find all the children that are sponsored by their organization.

Here is yet another way in which the tragedy in Haiti hits home. So many of you helped to sponsor this sweet little girl ... now I also ask you to pray for her and her family ... along with prayers for all the children of Haiti.

And please - help us to help Haitian Roots to continue their amazing work in Haiti. Please consider contributing an item to our upcoming silent auction ... to be held from 4pm - 8pm on Sat, February 6th at Studio 36 in downtown Bangor. We have collected some amazing artwork, local gift certificates, fun items, etc. for the event. And the The Ipanema Bar & Grill will be serving a Haitian dinner at the same time as our event ... with all proceeds from both events to benefit various Haitian relief organizations (Haitian Roots, Hearts with Haiti & Yele).

And perhaps more importantly - please attend! And tell all your friends to attend! Not only will you be able to bid on some gorgeous artwork and handiwork from various local artists (as well as signed books, cameras, services, etc) ... but you can also enjoy a wonderful Haitian meal ... and support fundraising that will go straight to Haiti (100%). That will be a Saturday well spent!

We hope to see you there. This - as I have stated before - is personal. We are ONE. Just look at little Miss Ashly. She went to school because of some of YOU. Now please help her people to rebuild those schools, among so many other things that need to be done.

Love,

Jodi