A large group, many in colorful tropical attire, gathered at Giovanni’s Restaurant in Rockford, Sept. 6, for “A Night in the Tropics” to raise money for Help for Haitians and Food for the Poor.

During the evening, which was a fundraising success, according to Hope For Haitians’ Theresa Kegley, the crowd bid on silent auction items, shared a dinner and learned about ongoing projects in Haiti from speakers and videos.

Board members from Hope for Haitians presented annual Amabasadors for the Poor awards to priests and their parishes for special efforts last year. Recipients, who took home “Jesus the Beggar” statuettes,  and the parishes for which they were honored, were:

Father Richard Rosinski, pastor of St. Thomas More in Elgin;

Father Stephen St. Jules, V.F., former pastor of SS. Peter and Paul Parish in Cary;

Father Timothy J. Seigel, pastor of St. Gall Parish in Elburn;  and

Father Edward Seisser, former pastor of Holy Family Parish in Rockford.

Haitian visitor and guest speaker Delane Bailey-Herd told the audience, “Through you, people can be raised up and simply restored to dignity. ... Wherever (Hope for Haitians through Food for the Poor) show up ... change happens. ... You have radically transformed people’s lives.”

Hope for Haitians board member Tom Lorden thanked everyone for donations that are making it possible to add to the largest village HFH has ever built.

Learn more at www.hopeforhaitians.org.