All Work; All Play
(Top Row) LCS Volunteers lead the community in a Mardi Gras parade around the neighborhood.
(Bottom Row) Heads of Operation Reese Grondin and Esther Paul upgrade the Accounting Office with THP Accountant Thomas Pham; Prof. Ronald teaches an extra physics class to keep students prepared
With Ash Wednesday the day after Mardi Gras, this week is a mix of celebration and fasting.
LCS followed the rhythm of the week with a mixture of work and play. Yesterday, we paraded around the neighborhood with our own version of a New Orleans/Haitian Rah-Rah Jazz Band! We made quite an impression thanks to the authentic touches provided by Rebecca Finney (a native of New Orleans) and the musical talents of Nick Carter and Amanda Gaal - with the rest of us trying our best. It was great fun.
Today, it is back to work. Reese Grondin, Vice President and U.S. Head of Operations, is down with our accountant Thomas Pham to install a new computer setup. Along with Esther Paul, Haiti Head of Operations, they are upgrading our Accounting Office with new computers and software. Funding for this was provided by the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart through the Franciscan Foundation in Illinois. Nothing goes to waste at LCS; the former Accounting Office computers, after a good cleaning of their data, have emigrated to the student computer lab.
To add a bit of energy to the day, Professor Ronald held an extra class today to catch up on our physics program - which is a long one. Physics in Haiti is broken into three parts; electrical, mechanical and optic. It is a multi-year class and important for the Baccalaureate. The extra time is greatly appreciated by the Direction and the students.
Work and play are a natural coupling for THP. That is most evident in the fundraising area. Recently, St. Thomas the Apostle, one of our support parishes in the Diocese of Rockford, held a dinner and raised more than $4,000. The fundraiser was hosted by parishioners volunteering for a mission trip to our school. Their spirit and energy flooded the night with joy in support of our mission
Frankly, we need more of this type of help. Early indications are that this will be a long year for raising funds. The election, the economy and the confusion over Haiti will require more contact and explanation with our supporters. Please help us be in contact. Please help us get the word out that THP/LCS is a real solution! Today, we are at $80,000 of our $400,000 quarter goal. Our annual goal for 2012 is $1,000,000.
