Bring Back The Smiles to Haiti
Report from New York
The Bring Back the Smiles to Haiti launch at Times Square Arts Center in New York was a resounding success.
The main theater, donated by Richard Basciano, brimmed with good will and hope for the earthquake-devastated island of Haiti. While many in the entertainment industry supported with appearances and interviews, hundreds packed the theater and thousands watched the show unfold online at RockMeTV.com.
“We were very pleased that, with such a short time to prepare, the entertainment industry came together for this evening of comedy and music,” said John Velasco-Mills, Co-Founder of Bring Back the Smiles to Haiti. “Special guests IceT and Coco joined with with performances by and/or messages from Janet Arneau, Vince August, Greer Barnes, Howard Feller, Joe Franklin, Harrison Greenbaum, Calise Hawkins, In Vibe, Joe Jackson, Davy Jones, Money Meza Clay, Mystikal, Justin Tranz, and many more. Everyone is so supportive in helping us raise funds, and send smiles of hope to the people whose spirit inspires all of us.”
An unexpected guest was Governor Edward Rendell, who called in from his home in Pennsylvania. The Governor and First Lady Margorie Rendell had just returned from an heroic mission to Haiti, where they rescued 54 orphans who, with the assistance of two sisters from Pittsburgh, had lived on the streets since the earthquake destroyed their orphanage in Port Au Prince. The Governor and First Lady, with assistance from the American government and military, brought them to Pittsburgh, Pa., where most are in foster care pending adoption. Those not in foster care are staying at the Holy Family Institute.
“When we learned about Governor Rendell’s mission, we knew the story of those 54 orphans, and those who cared for them, had to be told,” said Mary L. Hagy, Co-Founder of Bring Back the Smiles to Haiti. “Richard Basciano asked Governor Rendell to share his experience of that journey, and we were honored that he joined us by phone at the event. “
So far, Bring Back the Smiles to Haiti has raised more than $10,000 in donations to support Doctors Without Borders, The American Red Cross and Holy Family Institute.
Donations go to Doctors Without Borders and American Red Cross
