Where Hope Shines Through

THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2016DOUBLETREE BY HILTON LAFAYETTE

to benefi t

C RO S S C AT H O L I C O U T R E AC H

presents

Funds raised will support the poorest of the poor in

KOB ONAL

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MAKING AN IMPACT BY GETTING INVOLVED

Cross Catholic Outreach is proud to partner with Kobonal Haiti Mission to host our 5th Annual Village of

Hope Gala. By getting involved in this worthy event, you will support the Mission’s holistic outreach programs

in Kobonal, Haiti — and provide them with the hope of Christ! The night’s activities include dinner prepared

by Chef John Folse and live and silent auctions. Join us to make a difference in the lives of these families in Kobonal.

THE NEED ~ Haiti is the poorest country in the Western

Hemisphere. In fact, 80 percent of its people live below

the poverty line. Many of these people are families in rural

communities who depend on subsistence farming just to

survive. In the country’s remote and impoverished rural

villages, a typical “house” is nothing more than a patched-

together shack made of sticks, plastic tarps and mud. Floors

turn to mud when it rains; children huddle together to keep

warm at night; and families are at constant risk of illness

in these conditions. Hunger plagues countless families,

especially young children and the elderly. Numerous

households lack clean water, health care and education, and

two-thirds of Haiti’s people have no formal job.

ABOUT KOBONAL HAITI MISSION ~ Kobonal Haiti Mission, led by Father Glenn Meaux, is a holistic

Catholic ministry serving the physical and spiritual needs of thousands of people. Housing is just one aspect of

Fr. Meaux’s goal of ministering to the whole person in Christ’s name. Kobonal Haiti Mission lifts up the poor

through a holistic approach that includes housing, education, feeding programs for the elderly, microloans,

job training, clean water and nourishment for souls through Catholic spiritual teachings. With the support of

Cross Catholic, Fr. Meaux brought relief and recovery to hundreds of refugees who fl ed to Kobonal in the wake

of the devastating January 2010 earthquake by providing food to get them back on their feet and housing for

the neediest refugees.

THE RESPONSE ~ Cross Catholic Outreach has partnered with Kobonal Haiti Mission, led by Father Glenn

Meaux, to help alleviate poverty among Haiti’s poorest rural families. The village of Kobonal has undergone a

wonderful physical and spiritual conversion thanks to Fr. Meaux’s diligent work with the poor. Keeping these

programs running will allow the Mission to continue shining the light of Christ in Kobonal and meeting the

needs of its impoverished people. The Event’s goal is to raise $425,000 to provide for the holistic needs of

Kobonal’s families.

WHO WE ARE ~ Cross Catholic Outreach is a Catholic relief and development organization working in

dozens of developing countries. In addition to providing material aid such as food, clothing, shelter and

medicines, Cross Catholic Outreach supports ongoing programs that help the poor lift themselves out of

poverty and thus break its vicious cycle. By working together with local priests, Catholic lay missionaries and

Catholic parishes around the world, we ensure that the aid reaches those who need it most.

Cross Catholic Outreach is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. Our detailed level of accountability to donors and our

strong ethical practices have earned us ongoing accreditation by the National Catholic Development Conference, the

Chronicle of Philanthropy and the International Catholic Stewardship Council.

y

Families in Kobonal often survive in mere shacks.

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A LETTER FROM FATHER GLENN MEAUX, FOUNDER OF KOBONAL HAITI MISSION

Dear Friends,

Thank you for joining Cross Catholic

Outreach’s 5th Anniversary Village

of Hope Gala Event Committee! The

commitment of your time and resources

to help destitute families is a tremendous

blessing to the Kobonal Haiti Mission.

You are true friends to the Mission and

to the humble families of Kobonal who

treasure your support so dearly.

When I arrived in the Diocese of Hinche

in 1989, Kobonal was the poorest and

most spiritually starved place I had ever

encountered. But God began a good

work through the Mission, and Kobonal has been transformed into a beacon of hope to all who gaze upon it.

Family relationships have been restored, economic hardships have been overcome, and now we see the image

of our Heavenly Father shining in the faces of his children. But there is still much need. That’s why we need

your help!

The Village of Hope Gala, which we have held each year since 2012, is an event bringing Christians together to

feed the hungry, house the homeless and advocate for poor villagers who have no one else to turn to. Thank

you for being part of this high calling of our Savior to minister to those less fortunate.

Let us follow the footsteps of our Savior and take up this great calling of ministering to the needy. Just as our

Lord Jesus Christ broke his body on the cross for our souls, we need to break ourselves in service to share our

hope with others. Your service will change lives and increase the faith of our brothers and sisters in Kobonal.

Thank you for being willing to become a humble servant of Christ by taking care of the poor in the Diocese

of Hinche.

Welcome to our team!

Yours in Christ,

Father Glenn Meaux

Priest | Servant | Director

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KOBONAL’S HOLISTIC PROGRAMS

HOUSING ~ The central and largest form

of outreach, Fr. Meaux’s housing program

provides sturdy cement homes for Kobonal’s

poorest families. Each home has a cement

fl oor, four rooms, cinder block walls and a

secure roof. Families also receive a plot of

land so they can grow crops for food and

income, another path to self-suffi ciency.

FOOD FOR THE ELDERLY ~ The Mission

distributes monthly food staples like corn,

beans, oil and soap to the elderly and

destitute in the community. These supplies

are a lifeline for the poor and elderly, many

of whom are homebound and have no

income to buy food.

CLEAN WATER ~ The community’s poorest

families often rely on contaminated rivers or shallow wells for water. To help improve health and sanitation,

Kobonal Haiti Mission digs wells to provide clean water that won’t make families sick when they use it for

drinking, cooking and bathing.

EDUCATION, JOB TRAINING AND MICROENTERPRISE ~ The Mission helps empower the community so

its people can improve their lives and provide for their families. The ministry operates a school so children can

learn reading, writing and arithmetic, the skills they’ll

need to fi nd jobs as adults. Through job training, the

Mission helps adults gain specialized skills so they

can secure jobs with a living wage. A microenterprise

program provides small loans so enterprising men

and women can start and run successful small

businesses. Not only does the program foster self-

sustainability as families get freed from poverty’s grip,

but the microloan fund is perpetually self-sustaining

as borrowers pay their loans in full each year.

SPIRITUAL FORMATION ~ Fr. Meaux’s church has

become a pillar of the community. Hundreds of people

attend Mass each Sunday for spiritual nourishment.

“I come here every Sunday. I never go anywhere else,”

says 80-year-old Jantylis Augustin.

Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering,for he who has promised is faithful.

HEBREWS 10:23

A new home dramatically changes a family’s future for the better.

Fr. Meaux has raised up a community of faith in Kobonal.

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CELEBRATING OUR FIFTH YEAR OF SERVING HAITI’S POOR AT THE VILLAGE OF HOPE GALA

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FIVE MONTHS PRIOR TO EVENT✷ Hold fi rst committee meeting ✷ Discuss schedule of event ✷ Begin recruiting underwriting sponsorships

FOUR MONTHS PRIOR TO EVENT✷ Gather targeted invitation list✷ Confi rm schedule of event✷ Solicit entertainment, decoration and photography vendors✷ Recruit underwriting sponsorships✷ Solicit auction items

THREE MONTHS PRIOR TO EVENT✷ Finalize invitation list✷ Continue to solicit advertising and auction items✷ Approve decorations, favors, entertainment and

photography vendors✷ Finalize and confi rm sponsorships and program advertising

TWO MONTHS PRIOR TO EVENT✷ Mail invitations✷ Follow up with sponsors who have not yet submitted logos

or ads — remind them of print deadline✷ Determine event emcee✷ Draft video script and program agenda✷ Finalize auction packages✷ Draft volunteer needs and potential sources of volunteers

ONE MONTH PRIOR TO EVENT✷ Send Event Director table reservations✷ Confi rm volunteer availability✷ Confi rm favors, entertainment, decorations, photographer

and any other vendor needs✷ Send photographer fi nal shot list✷ Finalize props for silent auction

TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO EVENT✷ Finalize RSVPs with Event Director✷ Finalize table reservations with Event Director✷ Review and fi nalize auction book and auction sheet✷ Review program agenda with Chairman

EVENT TIMELINE

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AUCTION

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HOST & INVITATIONS

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✷PUBLICITY

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VOLUNTEER

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SPONSORSHIP

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LOGISTICS& SETUP

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~ Com m i t te e s ~

COMMITTEE STRUCTURE

~ Honor ar y Event Chairs ~

~ Event Chairs ~

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COMMITTEE RESPONSIBILITIES

To ensure a smoothly run event, each committee will commit to provide timely updates to the Cross Catholic

Outreach Event Director and look to her for direction to keep on task with deadlines.

Ideal committee members will possess the following skills and take part in the following activities:

✷ Participate in monthly committee meetings (meeting frequency varies by committee)

✷ Be available for committee communication including phone and email

✷ Support the majority decision

✷ Possess the ability to work in a group and as an individual

EVENT CO-CHAIRS✷ Facilitate committee meetings and guide the committee through the agenda items

✷ Where appropriate, guide the committee in proposing new activities and services that will further the

event’s goals

✷ Keep discussion on track

✷ Seek consensus; unanimity is not required

PUBLICITY COMMITTEE Seeking one chair and three members

✷ Increase public awareness and oversee media outreach initiatives

✷ Develop media contact list in coordination with Event Director

✷ Suggest timely feature stories, interviews and photo opportunities to engage media and encourage airtime

exposure

✷ Foster relationships with local parishes, churches and schools to highlight and educate others on the

project and event

✷ Determine which media, if any, should be invited to the Gala as guests

✷ Based on allotted budget, obtain bids for event photographer; assist in determining photographer for event

✷ Turn over event photographer vendor to Event Director for contract execution and follow-up

VOLUNTEER COMMITTEE Seeking one chair and three members

✷ Determine activities that need volunteers, and number of volunteers per activity

✷ Recruit team of volunteers to assist in event setup and breakdown the night of event

✷ Draft plan of needs for each activity; maintain and update list of volunteers and contact information

✷ Meet with volunteers to train and give overview of activities

✷ Schedule volunteers and confi rm shifts and availability

✷ Manage volunteers on-site and resolve issues

✷ Follow up with thank-you notes to volunteers after event

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SPONSORSHIP COMMITTEE Seeking one chair and fi ve members

✷ Obtain major underwriting for event; determine in-kind donation list

✷ Draft and update list of local corporations to approach for sponsorships and in-kind donations

✷ Draft and update list of local businesses and individuals to invite to the event; determine which committee

member will approach the businesses

✷ Turn over commitments of sponsorships and donations to Event Director for contract execution and

follow-up

✷ Follow up with thank-you notes to high-level sponsors/donors

HOST & INVITATIONS COMMITTEE Seeking one chair and ten members

✷ Responsible for hosting luncheon to invite friends to event and to fi ll tables at event

✷ Draft and update list of local businesses and individuals to invite to the event

✷ Nominate and confi rm hosts and hostesses for evening

✷ Nominate emcee for program and auction

✷ Greet guests at reservations table at event

✷ Assist with table reservations as necessary prior to event

✷ Follow up with thank-you notes if needed

AUCTION COMMITTEE Seeking one chair and seven members

✷ Secure silent auction items and baskets, as well as high-end travel and exclusive items for the live auction

✷ Send Event Director auction items secured for updating in spreadsheet and logistical follow-up

✷ Arrange for the pickup and delivery of prizes based on Event Director’s instructions

✷ Determine prop decorations for auction items

✷ Determine volunteers needed specifi c to auction and relay to Volunteer Committee

LOGISTICS & SETUP COMMITTEE Seeking one chair and fi ve members

✷ Assist in the coordination of on-site setup including registration setup, ballroom setup and additional setup

✷ Assist with teardown and packing of materials to be moved out of venue

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OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE

Mission and Vision Trips

It’s one thing to read about how Cross Catholic Outreach is changing the lives of the poor; but it’s another

to see it fi rsthand. We offer exciting opportunities for donors to join us in our travels abroad and actually

meet with the ministries, communities and

families who are benefi ting from their gifts.

More than a sightseeing tour, these travels

immerse donors in the rewarding work

of international relief and development.

Vision trips give donors a chance to observe

projects they are considering funding, while

Mission trips provide individuals and church

groups with the unforgettable experience of

directly serving and ministering to “the least

of these.” We invite our compassionate supporters to come alongside the

poor to fellowship with them, pray with them, learn about their culture and

become the “hands and feet” of Jesus. Whether it is building a house, feeding

the hungry, evangelizing local communities or just spending quality time

with children in an orphanage, you will touch lives as you get your hands

dirty on the front lines of overseas ministry. The experience will empower

you to be a voice for the poor, so that when you return home you will share

the stories of the poverty, hope and transformation you have witnessed.

Legacy-Building Through Gift Planning

All of us leave a legacy — the echo of our beliefs, deeds and

values that reverberates beyond our own lifetime through our

family and others we touch. A legacy can inspire and infl uence

others who follow you, especially when empowered by perpetual

resources made possible through gift planning. As a Legacy

Mission Partner, you can leave a legacy that will benefi t the

world’s poor, meeting both their material and spiritual needs

for generations to come. If you’d like to support the work of Fr.

Meaux through a Legacy Mission Partnership, we will help you

choose the gift option that optimizes the benefi ts to you, your

family and your mission. Through gift planning, you can provide an income for yourself and an inheritance

for your family as well. A planned gift may also be an effective way to lessen the burden of taxes on your family

and estate while lessening the burden of poverty on the poorest of the poor. One of our future goals at Cross

Catholic Outreach is to build a signifi cant endowment so that Kobonal will be able to continue to serve God’s

poor beyond our lifetimes. Call us to learn more about how you can help Kobonal’s endowment.

For more information, please contact us at 800-914-2420 ext. 239.

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OUR MISSION

We are a Catholic ministry that serves the poorest of the poor internationally by channeling aid

through dioceses, parishes, and Catholic missionaries, cost-effectively helping the poor break the cycle

of poverty while advancing Catholic evangelization.

HOW WE SERVE

Rather than create new institutions to distribute aid, we support existing ministries and churches already

serving the poor. In addition to being the most cost-effective way of helping the poor, empowering

these ministries allows us to support the Church’s spiritual mission and its important position of

leadership in poor communities.

GOOD STEWARDSHIP

We consider every gift we receive as a precious resource from God. We direct every donation to its

intended project, provide honest and accurate reports to our donors, and keep overhead costs to an

industry low. We handle funds with utmost integrity and hold our ministry partners in the fi eld to

the same high standards by asking them to document costs and the impact of their outreach. These

detailed accountability measures have earned us ongoing accreditation by the following organizations:

Cross Catholic Outreach’s priority is to help “the poorest of the poor.” Our ministry began in Haiti,

the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and home to some of the most destitute people

in our modern world. Efforts have since grown to reach those suffering extreme poverty in other

Caribbean countries as well as countries throughout Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

2700 N. Military Trail, Suite 240 • PO Box 273908 • Boca Raton, Florida 33427-3908800-914-2420 ext. 244 • 954-657-9001 (fax) • SpecialEvents@CrossCatholic.org

www.CrossCatholic.org/VillageOfHope