Missionary of Conversion
Steve Holmes (in pit) and daughter Hayley (far right) dig a new metal pit with mission trippers from Portland, OR.
Don’t be fooled by the easy smiles and Portland charm of Steve Holmes—he’s not your ordinary laid-back, middle-aged family man. Most family men don’t see the point of traveling 3,400 miles to speak with our students face-to-face and witness their fundraising dollars at work. But Holmes’ explains his actions by saying, “I thought it might help empower my children and me to do more.”
A father to three children (Ryan, 24; Kyle, 21; Hayley, 17) and loving husband to his wife Diane, Holmes first heard about The Haitian Project in 2001 from news circulating around his church, Madeleine Parish. He started working at the Madeleine Parish Garage Sale in 2003 to raise money and awareness for THP and gradually took his place as one of THP’s MVPs. With the help of the Holmes family and other key figures like long-time supporter Sally Kirchoff, the Madeleine Parish Garage Sale has become the highest grossing fundraiser to date, raising over $20,000 in 2009. The Holmes family went on to inspire, lead and participate in THP fundraisers at their school and parish, and Ryan and Hayley, with their father, have both visited the school on mission trips from the Portland area.
Holmes is the owner of a small trucking company, S&H Trucking, and knows the importance of investing one’s time and fuel wisely. As if making an important business decision, Holmes’ support of THP, like most supporters, comes with the reassurance of Louverture Cleary’s visible success …
Haitian Project News (HPN): Steve, why do you support THP?
Steve Holmes (SH): It makes more sense to help the people of Haiti improve their country from within through education rather than simply providing humanitarian aid that does not alleviate the underlying problems that lead to poverty. By giving the students of LCS an education and the opportunity to improve their lives, they can help improve and rebuild Haiti.
HPN: How has the Holmes family been involved with THP?
SH: Ryan, my son, [and I] and two other parishioners worked with some mission trippers from Illinois on installing the basketball hoops at the playground and general work around the school. Hayley had always wanted to go after Ryan and I went in 2006. She has always worked hard at community service in our area and this was the type of experience that she loves to participate in.
HPN: What has your family learned from their experiences?
SH: We have learned that it is important to help people all over the world and not just those in our own neighborhood. We realize that we need to treat and consider people from all over the world just like we would those in our neighborhood.
HPN: THP is extremely appreciative of everything the Holmes family does for our school - What do you receive from giving us your support?
SH: Our family has always been service minded and volunteered and worked on many projects within our community. Supporting THP allows us to reach out farther and support people who are truly in need and are also very appreciative of the opportunities THP gives them. It always feels good to give and help, but when you can see the results of your support in the lives of the students at LCS, it just makes you want to do more.
