Extreme Fundraiser for an Extremely Hurting Haiti

(Crystal A. Proxmire, 1/10/2011)

When Jack Aronson, founder of Garden Fresh Gourmet, heard about the devastating earthquake in Haiti about a year ago, he knew that he had to get involved. He contacted Big Paul Sebring and Little Paul Waggoner of MMRC (Materials Management Relief Corps) after reading an article about their work in the devastated country.

“On a bleak day in October, when MMRC had a truck load of vital medical supplies for our orphanages, but no money for gas, we were contacted by Jack and ecstatic to accept a substantial donation that was more than enough to cover our fuel costs for over a month.  We all breathed a collective sigh of relief and were grateful for Jack’s generosity. But then something amazing happened: Jack kept sending us money,” says the MMC website.  “While we would have been more than happy to accept Jack’s money and keeping doing good stuff with it, Garden Fresh continues to amaze and inspire us.  As we write this, a member of their team is actively working to purchase and deliver thousands of pounds of vital cholera supplies. We are meeting regularly to discuss longer term projects including permanent solution water purification, educational and school supplies for our orphanages, and, in yet another act of sheer generosity: no surprise where the funds for our new vehicle came from.  Thanks, Jack.”

Garden Fresh has a history of helping local charities.  Two larger efforts have been with The Salvation Army and Children’s Hospital of Michigan.

“Jack has always supported a number of charitable causes, and when he read about MMRC it inspired him to take action once again.  Big Paul and Little Paul are two Americans that bravely took action in the wake of the earthquake in Haiti and are representative of true humanitarians,” said Garden Fresh spokesperson Lauren Maiman.

Aronson traveled to Haiti in late October to work directly with MMRC in their efforts to help clean up the destruction and provide Hatians with relief.  He is now organizing the “Extreme Evening of Fun” to raise money for the cause.

On Tues, Jan 11, 2011 the Extreme Evening of Fun will take place at Boogie Fever.  There will be a DJ, food, dancing and a cash bar.  Just Baked will be providing the dessert.  The event runs from 5pm – 10pm and costs just $10.  Every penny collected will go directly to MMRC for relief in Haiti.

Others in Ferndale have stepped up to help the earthquake victims.  To read the travelogue of an architect who went to Haiti to help rebuild, go to: http://www.ferndale115.com/20100401haiti.html, and http://www.ferndale115.com/20100424haiti2.html.