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February 3, 2010

Seeking ‘Good Spirits’

Scranton event to benefit Haiti

By Don McGlynn dmcglynn@theabingtonjournal.com
Reporter / Photographer

SCRANTON – It has been more than three weeks since a 7.0 earthquake struck the Caribbean island of Haiti. But as time passes, residents of all ages continue to shoulder some of the burden and look for ways to help.

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Seated, from left: Diane Vietz, Barbara Cadden, Mark Fryer, Chris Fryer, Sara McCormack, Bernie Fryer, Anne Fryer, Brian Williams, Al Materna and Rose Opshinsky. Standing: Valarie Clark, Kurt Gockley of the Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel, Sandy Tomasura, Bill Webster, Pat Webster, Tony Bartocci of Entercom Communications, Teri Trovato, Chrissy Conaboy, Taryn Golosky, Margaret Conaboy, Pam Ceol, Sandy Materna and Mary Jo Loboda.

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Next week, that spirit of charity will continue with a fundraiser, Good Spirits for Haiti, Wednesday, Feb. 10, at Trax Bar and Grille in the Radisson Hotel, Scranton.

For their donation of $20, attendees will be offered a cash bar, hors d’oeuvres, music and raffles.

All the money raised will be donated to Rev. Rick Frechette of Compassion Weavers, www.Compassionweavers.com.

“Father Rick has a wonderful ministry,” said Good Spirits for Haiti coordinator Brian Williams. “He’s right there with the people and all these fundraisers people are doing for him. I’ve seen it firsthand, the money gets right to the Haitians.”

Williams has been heavily involved with Haiti for the last decade, making 10 visits in the last 10 years. He said after the crisis he was looking for a way to contribute. After deciding on the idea of a gathering, he was put in touch with Trax Bar and Grille where he said was greeted with an eagerness to help.

Assisting with the event is a committee of 29 members, who have been involved with Rev. Rick and Compassion Weavers throughout the years.

Many of the committee members have been to Haiti to help. They include John Conaboy, 22, who recently returned to Clarks Summit after volunteering during the aftermath of the earthquake, and Barbara Cadden, 47, of Scranton who helped plan the Good Spirits event while preparing for a 30-day trip to Haiti that began Sunday, Jan. 31.

Cadden has been making trips to Haiti for the last six years. After seeing the state of the island prior to the earthquake, she said she has a deeper understanding of how much help the people there need.

“The poorest of the poor here would be multi-millionaires in Haiti,” said Cadden. “I don’t know how we can’t give back. And I think once you get the Haiti bug, it will never go away. I hope it will never go away for me.”

Understanding that not everyone can make the trip, Cadden urged anyone wishing to help to find a reputable charity and make a donation, or to attend a fundraiser like Good Spirits for Haiti. She added that even the smallest donations can make a big difference.

“Ten dollars will feed so many people in Haiti,” said Cadden. “You don’t have to give thousands or hundreds of thousands. It’s like ‘The Little Drummer Boy,’ whatever you can give.”

Good Spirits for Haiti will take place Wednesday, Feb. 10, at Trax Bar and Grille at the Radisson Hotel, Scranton, from 6 to 8 p.m. Cost is $20. For details, visit Scranton Aid for Haiti on Facebook or call 570.357.6154.