HAITI :: 800 meals and counting!

and counting!!!

Your response to the food crisis at St. Vincent's has been amazing! We are thrilled to share that in only a few days, we have already raised and sent $2,000 to St. Vincent's. That translates into 800 meals, friends.

What's more? Tina, a supporter from Texas, travelled with us to St. Vincent's this past summer and was able to spend a week with the kids these funds will feed. She has offered to match donations up to $2,375 (total). These kids are near and dear to her heart and we are thankful for her generous offer.

Tina and Elisme, a residential student at St. Vincent's

Let's take Tina up on her offer. Let's max out her matching donations and keep going! If we combine the funds already raised + another $2,375 + the matching funds, we will feed ALL residential students and staff for one month, thus meeting The Red Thread's short-term goal. 

Our long-term goal is to feed the kids for two months. The math is simple: $.83 per meal...less than what most Americans spend on a cup of coffee. 

We are thankful for private donors as well as our partners at West Tennessee Haiti Partnership and Friends of St. Vincent's who are working toward the same goal - feeding those precious kids! It is wonderful to see everyone coming. 

The Red Thread is so blessed to have people like YOU following our progress on our blog, Facebook, Twitter and giving as you are able. If you'd like to help, please send your tax-deductible donation (memo line: food) via PayPal or check to:

The Red Thread Promise

249 N Belfield Ave

Havertown, PA 19083

Attn: Kathy Korge Albergate

HAITI :: Making wishes at Camp Jake

Counselors preparing the hand-made Chinese sky lanterns (photo credit: Brian Clark)

Young Frenel and Michel pushing their wish skyward (photo credit: Brian Clark)

Following the traditional "end of camp dance" on the final evening of Camp Jake, counselors made their way to the beach, each carrying a biodegradable sky lantern to be released at sundown. All counselors prepared a wish for their group of kids that would be shared as the lanterns were lit and released over the ocean.

The onset of rain and the delicacy of the tissue paper may have hurried the process along, but the weather couldn't change the heartfelt wishes each counselor attached to their lantern. It was a memorable finale to the third successful camp, one that was shared by all campers, counselors, Kaliko staff members and other resort guests. 

"I wished for a productive and happy life for my kids 

and for more acceptance of them in Haiti." 

~ Shawn 

"I wished for the campers' safety, happiness and health." 

~ Kathy, The Red Thread Promise President 

"I wished for the kids to never give up hope; 

for them to find their purpose in life and make a difference in the world; 

and finally, for each to know and believe how much they matter."

~ Tina 

Camp Jake Director Tom propelling a lantern into the sky (photo credit: Brian Clark)

HAITI :: Fingerprints of God

Counselors Tina and Jonas working with camper Jonas in the pool (photo credit: Brian Clark)

Much like those who worked in the spa, counselor and massage therapist, Tina, worked tirelessly to give her gift of healing touch to every camper throughout the week. Bringing 25 years of experience in massage therapy and a heart the size of her home state Texas, Tina is one of the therapists for Jake Richard, namesake for the camp. After working with him for the past 3 years and watching the camp materialize, she knew she had to be a part of the experience. And a huge part she was.

Massaging Marie Line (photo credit: Brian Clark)

Throughout the week, Tina "massage-napped" campers in between activities for a one-on-one session. With each camper, she modified her technique, accommodating each individual's needs. For some, the massage table in the spa was the ideal place; for others, it was the pool where a different angle was needed to work atrophied muscles. 

Tina's philosophy is simple, but profound: "I work on the bodies God gave us. Each is a masterpiece and I can see His fingerprints on them. Every body is beautiful." We couldn't agree more.

Tina working on Maille's back (photo credit: Brian Clark)

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Interested in serving as as a counselor for Camp Jake 2014? 

Please fill out the volunteer interest form on our website and we'll get back 

to you! We're already looking for people for next year's camp.

CAMP JAKE: In the ocean

Good times with Tina and Elisme (photo credit: Brian Clark)

Ashly and Sandee (photo credit: Brian Clark)

Tom and Frenel (photo credit: Brian Clark)

Relaxation after a swim (photo credit Brian Clark)