Giving back in masse

Generosity is a concept not lost on the people of the Mission Valley.

In fact, in the month after the earthquake that killed hundreds of thousands in Haiti, group after group here have continued worked to define the word by doing what they can to help after the disaster.

Two classes in Mission raised more than $350 to send to the American Red Cross Haiti Earthquake Relief fund after a bake sale.

Just last Saturday, the Watkins family hosted a crepe breakfast fundraiser for Haiti. Their connection to Haiti is strong. In June, Peterson, 5, and Adlerson, 3, left the Chances for Children orphanage in Haiti and joined the Polson family. They put on the breakfast to benefit the orphanage their boys left.

From what they are told, the orphanage building withstood the quake without much infrastructure damage. Of course, one of the most tragic effects of the quake is the increased number of orphans it left.

Because of students at the schools here and people like the Watkins, a crepe breakfast can turn into water, blankets and proper care for those suffering. Around 100 children live in the Chances for Children orphanage.

Haiti is an awfully long way from our home, but we are connected. And if nothing else, Peterson and Adlerson, who now call the Mission Valley home, remind us of just how similar everyone on Earth is.

The Watkins are helping their boys to continue to carry their Haitian culture. The connection between “here” and “there” has been made, is continuing and is now used to get relief to those in need.

Essentially, the donations that goes to the orphanage will help kids just like you and me.

Making donations isn’t new, like I said it’s an incredibly entwined part of life here, but the connections can be. There lies a whole new opportunity for good to come.