Successful fundraiser drawing 270 supporters felt more like a family gathering

Last week’s fundraising event for FIDA/pcH “knocked it out of the park."

The organization that continues to make an impact in Haiti, 40 years after Jack Wall became committed to the advancement of the country by implementing practices for sustainable development, was celebrating that legacy, Betsy Wall told The Local, after taking some time to digest just how successful the event had been.

“Magic” Joe Pillitteri was, as usual, “so amazing,” as the master of ceremonies, said Wall — she calls him “magical" because of all he brings to the event. And the live auction alone raised a record-breaking $30,000.

The overall success of the fundraiser held in Trevor Falk’s barn was thanks to everybody involved, she added, from the beautiful tables and settings created by Eileen Pillitteri-Smith, to the Haitian rum and rum cocktails, the Juliet Dunn Trio providing the music, the exceptionally efficient and professional catering company — everything about the event, and everyone who contributed, made it “a beautiful evening.”

“There was such a feeling of camaraderie, and such support for the message,” said Wall. There were 270 people in attendance, “and it felt like family.”

“I’ve experienced that myself, even in Haiti, where people don’t know each other until they realize they share a common vision, a common approach, and that was very evident” at the event, she said. “It was small, but very impactful.”

Wall is seeing that impact now throughout four generations, both in Haiti and among the donors who are contributing. “It’s a great testament to the legacy” of what has been created, and “that is purposeful," she said.

“I had one man come up to me, a school teacher, someone I didn’t know. He said, ‘you moved me deeply today.’ You only need to have one person say that to make you realize you can’t let go of why you’re there, and why you’re doing what you do.”

Dorothy Wiens was one of the 270 people in attendance, sitting at a table with Gary and Lena Pillitteri, and others she had never met before, yet agreed the sense of community was evident. “This was our first time at the fundraiser — in the past we’ve always had something else on. I was real delighted to be able to attend.”

She felt like she was surrounded by “the people we grew up with. There were a lot of people from the farming community. And Joe Pillitteri was great.”

People were outbidding themselves, and purposely agreeing to raise the bid for each other during the live action, she said, “in an effort to raise money for a really good cause,” for the country “that is the most impoverished nation in the world.”

Those who are making an impact in Haiti are putting “their heart and soul into what they do, seeing the obstacles for the country and the people, and wanting to help overcome them,” Wiens said. “And you could see the community band together — the agricultural community, the local business community, all working together to raise money to help. There was a very supportive, very positive, and really fun atmosphere. It was a really wonderful evening.”