Fundraiser For Students In Haiti

Raising funds for students in Haiti while honouring the life of a Hamilton man, who worked with local humanitarians, is the incentive behind an event in Sarnia Saturday evening. Benjamin Cole Brown lost his life in a plane crash in October 2016, after delivering humanitarian aid to Hurricane Matthew Survivors in Haiti. "Benjamin was so passionate about change and helping the community," says event organizer Janessa Laureano. "He turned me into a better person and this is my way of carrying on his legacy." Laureano and Brown met in the Dominican Republic (DR) in 2015. Brown worked with an organization called "Live Different," which oversees the construction of homes, schools and medical clinics in the DR and Haiti. His most recent project was a sponsorship program for 270 students of L'Ecole D'Union in Haiti. "All the funds raised at this event are going towards the students. It will provide them with nutritious lunches every day and supply them with school supplies." Laureano says donations will also help maintain the water system and support teacher salaries. "These are things that we take advantage of here, I think it's important to help them out." A night full of games, auctions and raffles is planned. The "Love Legacy Fundraiser" will be held Saturday (April 22) at the Dante Club on London Rd. It starts at 8pm and is open to the public. Tickets are $15 per person and available at the door. -Written by Meghan Bond, Fanshawe College Intern