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To Haiti with Love was an online auction of art, photography, papercrafts, clothing, and creative goods. All proceeds go direct to the St. Joseph's Family of homes for children in Haiti.

The auction opened at 8 AM EST on Monday, February 1, 2010.

The auction closed at midnight EST on Monday, February 8, 2010.

Canadians can donate to St. Joseph's anytime through the online donation page of its Canadian fundraising organization, Broken Wings.

Americans can donate through the online donation page for Hearts with Haiti, the U.S. organization. Either way, your support builds hope.

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Earthquake Devastates St. Joseph Home in Port au Prince

Broken Wings is the Canadian fundraising organization whose primary mission is to support the vision and ministry of the St. Joseph Family in Haiti, which includes the St. Joseph’s Home for Boys in Port-au Prince, Wings of Hope in Fermathe, and Trinity House in Jacmel.

Orphans caring for orphans: a beautiful story

St. Joseph’s Home for Boys was Michael Geilenfeld’s dream that became a reality in 1985, bringing boys off the streets of Port-au-Prince to provide them with a Christian home and family.

When French missionaries announced they were leaving Haiti and needed to find care for the disabled children under their supervision, Michael took some of the older boys from St. Joseph's to choose a child to bring home and care for. But the boys surprised Michael when they chose to adopt all the children. Wings of Hope had become a thriving home for disabled children, recently rebuilt and expanded to include a day school for disabled community children and lovely guest facilities.

For more on the St. Joseph's family of homes for children, visit the Broken Wings website.

Endless thanks to our hosts at Squarespace, who not only make the most robust and most elegant blogging platform on the planet, but who are also as generous as they are hip.

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Where there is doubt, let me sow faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.

~ Saint Francis of Assisi

about your gift: the people and the impact of Broken Wings

Who is behind Broken Wings? Is it a reputable organization?

Broken Wings Missions Inc., the fundraising umbrella for the St. Joseph's family of homes, is a registered Canadian non-profit organization whose purpose is to provide relief from the hardships experienced by impoverished children in Haiti through the provision of housing, food, education and health care.

Broken Wings does this through supporting the St. Joseph's Family of Homes by the development and promotion of books or products about the homes and children, and creating touring opportunities throughout Canada and the United States for The Resurrection Dance Theatre of Haiti on an annual basis (or more often, if opportunities arise).

How much of my donation will find its way to those who need it in Haiti?

The St. Joseph's family of homes has very low administrative costs since everyone connected with the organization serves on a strictly volunteer basis. Right now, the focus is on immediate care of the people, and on rebuilding. Other than postage, the only administrative cost is to hire an accountant to do the organization's year end review or audit.

A note from Peter Eyvindson, Founder, Broken Wings Missions Inc.

Dear friends,

I am overwhelmed by the generosity of the artistic community here in Canada. You have become part of 'the family' in Haiti. We call ourselves 'family' simply because we are not an orphanage. Our children are groomed to take over leadership roles, first within our family, then to the community outside our gates -- and maybe some day, my young friends will be leaders in their own country.

When our kids come off the street, they have very low self esteem, simply because in the broader Haitian community they are called garbage children -- throwaway kids. By using the arts, Michael has inspired many children to comprehend that they can be a success in all that they do.

I can imagine the devastations our children must feel as they view the devastation to what was once their home -- but I am always amazed by the resilient nature of my Haitian friends. They will pick themselves up, dust themselves off, break into a beautiful smile and be ready to face another day.

And simply knowing that there are so many people here in Canada and throughout the world who are roooting for them, praying for them, and showing their desire to help, will indeed be very uplifting for my dear friends in Haiti.

My most humble thank you!

Peter

 In addition to participating in To Haiti with Love, feel free to donate directly to the charities that support the St. Joseph's family of homes.

Canadian citizens can make a donation to Broken Wings Missions -- the fundraising arm of the St. Joseph's family of homes -- here.

American citizens can make a donation to Hearts with Haiti, the U.S. counterpart to Broken Wings, here.

Short term projects like this auction are great, but Haiti needs long-term support as well. Hearts with Haiti has a year-long sponsorship program for every child and student under the care of the St. Joseph's homes. Get to know these wonderful children here. Quickly and easily sponsor a child here.

And finally... become a fan of St. Joseph's Family and Broken Wings Missions on Facebook.