Madison WI (March 22, 2023) –What started in 2006 with one school, one teacher and twelve children, has now become a network of schools in Haiti that serve over 1,900 Haitian children and over 170 Haitian staff in nine schools. Madison business owners Doug and Lois Fearing, of Fearing’s Audio Video Security, became involved with Schools for Haiti in 2014. In addition to supporting individual children through child sponsorships, they host the Schools for Haiti Gala annually to raise funds for the non-profit.
The 9th Annual Schools for Haiti Fundraising Gala & Silent Auction will take place on Saturday, April 29th, 2023, at Madison Marriott West. Schools for Haiti Board Member, Doug Fearing will be the featured speaker and will be sharing about the schools’ impact on the region of Haiti it serves. In addition, Jared Abbrederis, former Green Bay Packer and UW Badger Football star, will be master of ceremonies.
Schools for Haiti is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization that operates schools in and around the city of Montrouis, (pronounced Mo-wee) and St. Marc, both north of Port-au-Prince. The schools provide a quality Haitian education, a daily nutritious meal, and school uniforms to each child.
Schools for Haiti provides safe and nurturing educational environments for the youth of Haiti, offering them the opportunity to gain knowledge, skills, and values so they can flourish and grow. Haiti is the poorest nation in the western hemisphere; the literacy rate is just over 61 percent, so the schools’ mission is vital.
The Wisconsin School
In December of 2022, Schools for Haiti officially opened the new Wisconsin School. It’s named the Wisconsin School because the funds raised through the Wisconsin Schools for Haiti gala. Last year’s gala hosted over 170 attendees and raised over $150,000.
The Wisconsin School is a foundational piece of what will become the Schools for Haiti Vision Center, hosting a community center with performing arts capabilities, a trade school, and a mission home which will host mission teams who are doing work in Haiti. The school also has a new computer lab, bringing new learning opportunities to its students.
“Living life in Haiti is a constant struggle with all the civil unrest and generational poverty, but through our schools the students have something they can count on.” said Doug Fearing. “By providing a quality education, food, and clothing to the children of Schools for Haiti, we firmly believe we’re making a difference in the communities the schools serve.
“Becoming involved with Schools for Haiti was an opportunity God placed in our hearts,” said Doug Fearing. “When Lois and I visited for ourselves and saw the need, we had to get involved. By providing an education to the children of Haiti, we firmly believe it will change the future of the country. Who knows, the next Nelson Mandela or president of Haiti could be a student in one of the schools right now!”
Many area business are supporting the schools through Gala sponsorships and silent auction items. Tickets for the Gala can be purchased online at www.fearings.com. If you are a business and would like to learn more about sponsorships, please contact Lois Fearing at 608-443-2595.