Local Rotarians Come Through….Again!

It is with GREAT appreciation to the Oakhurst Sierra Rotary Club (the Noon Club), sponsors and participants of this year's "Evening at Erna's" that we THANK YOU, THANK YOU for the incredibly generous donation of $3035 from the evening's proceeds. Rotarians and the staff at Erna's Elderberry House volunteer their time, energy and passion to make this an unforgettable evening. 

This donation and the continuing support of Rotarians throughout District 5220 (Central California) supports educational opportunities and clean water projects in developing communities.

Rotarians' motto of "Service Above Self" is exemplified by the Oakhurst Sierra Rotary Club.

Haiti Here We Come !!

We had our last organizational meeting yesterday in prep for next week's trip to Haiti. We are so looking forward to seeing our friends, sharing some activities at the school, visiting Jean-Ronel and Chedlin Michel's Kids Club of Pignon, talking with the folks at Haiti Outreach about another well project, touring the hospital and maybe even getting in some sightseeing. Very busy, very rewarding trip. 

We will have three first-time Haiti travelers with us; Melissa, a local business women, Roberta, a retired teacher and Rachel, a medical professional. We are excited about sharing our experiences and hearing their impressions of this life changing adventure. 

This will be a short trip so we are forgoing long car rides on the wicked rural Haiti roads and flying on a five passenger plane from Port-au-Prince to Pignon. The charter operations are run by Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF). With their weight restrictions we may not be able to take all of our school supplies with us on the flight. MAF has graciously agreed to store this excess luggage and deliver it on a future flight. We all plan to diet so we'll be allowed to bring more school supplies and soccer balls. 

So many people have stepped up to make this trip a success. They include: Mountain Area Soccer League, Drs. Brosi and Horasanian for toothbrushes and toothpaste, Rev. Sandy West for more toothbrushes (These are a huge hit with the kids at school), Mandy and Kris at Oakhurst Office Outlet, Oakhurst Rotary Clubs, Bob and Cathy Wood, Jesse Chadwick, Trudy Shields, Fran Bruner, Lauren Madden, Maggie Butterfield and so many others. 

More info and pictures later…..

More Fabulous Wine

Check this out…honored as "Winegrower of the Year" by the Madera Vintners Association Fasi Estate Winery will also be joining us in presenting and pouring their 2010 Sierra Gold at our May 10th Wine Event. Their highly regarded premium wine along with Idle Hour and Westbrook Wine Farms will insure that you'll get to experience several medal winning wines at the Queen's Inn by the River in Oakhurst, CA. Hope to see you there, live music and delicious food too!!

http://www.fasiestate.com

Graduation Day Has Arrived!

This message is from Jean-Ronel Joseph, our dear friend, who will graduate tomorrow after a two year theological program in St Vincent. He has been away from his family and home in Haiti for two years. Ours has been a relationship and friendship of mutual support. We are very proud that Jean-Ronel was the first recipient of a Be the Power of One Higher Education Scholarship. Well done!

"DEAR GOD THANK YOU FOR THOSE GREAT PEOPLE YOU HAVE SOURRENDED US HERE AT WISE WITH, TO TEACH HOW TO LOVE YOU AND YOUR PEOPLE. IT HAS BEEN A HUGE BLESSING TO BE HAVING THIS WONDERFUL PRIVILEGE TO ACCUMULATE ALL THESE KNOWLEDGES HERE AT WISE. WE, AS THE FUTURE GRADUATES ARE SO THANKFUL TOWARDS YOU GOD AND ALSO THOSE GREAT, LOVING, KIND, GENTLE...PEOPLE.
WE HAD A LAST FUN WITH THEM TONIGHT, NOT ONLY THE FACULTY TOOK US TO A NICE HOTEL IN ST VINCENT FOR DINNER BUT ALSO WE HAD GREAT FUN WHEN WE CAME BACK WITH THE OTHER STUDENTS.
IT HAS BEEN A HUGE BLESSING, THE WORK IS NOT FINISH YET; HOPEFULLY WE'LL HAVE TO SPRINT TO THE FINISH LINE AS OUR HOMILETICS TEACHER WOULD SAY.
IN LIFE WE GRADUATE EVERYDAY SO, WE COUNT IN YOUR PRAY SO THAT WE CAN GO BACK IN OUR COUNTRY AND USE THOSE ACCUMULATING KNOWLEDGES FOR THE PROFIT OF CHRIST'S KINGDOM, BECAUSE HE IS RISEN AND THE TOMB IS EMPTY...WE ARE VICTORIOUS...
THANK YOU EACH AND EVERYONE FOR YOUR SUPPORT WHETHER BY PRAYER, FINANCIALLY... I INTEND TO CALL EVERYONE BY NAME TO SAY THANK YOU, BUT I REALIZE FACEBOOK WON'T HAVE ENOUGH PLACE FOR THAT. I KNOW WORDS CAN'T EXPRESS MY THANKFULNESS TO YOU, BUT I JUST WANNA TAKE THIS SPOT IN THIS JOYFUL MOMENT TO SAY THANK YOU TO YOU ALL..
I LOVE YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART, I REALLY ENJOY YOUR PARTNERSHIP IN THE GOSPEL...PHILIPPIANS 1:3-6

THE GRADUATES I LOVE YOU ALL THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOVE….."

3rd Annual Wine Tasting Event

We are so happy that once again this year Ray and Tammy from Westbrook Wine Farm and Anna Marie and Deb from Idle Hour Winery will be providing their award winning wines for our May 10th Wine Tasting Event as at the Queen's Inn in Oakhurst, CA. Thanks for the support! BTW, Westbrook Wine Farm was awarded "Winery of the Year" and Anna Marie dos Remedios, co-owner of Idle Hour Winery, "Winemaker of the Year" by the Madera Vintners Assoc. CONGRATULATIONS and well deserved. 

Last week we meet with Shelley Arnest of Taste of Soul to finalize the menu. What an awesome menu of Haitian and Caribbean delights. Shelley's family recipes will ensure that everyone enjoys a traditional taste of the islands. 
Ya man! 

This will be a fun, entertaining evening at the Queen's Inn beautiful riverside setting. Local musicians will entertain us, Taste of Soul will be providing tasty Haitian and Caribbean appetizers to ease your hunger and award winning wines from Westbrook and Idle Hour all guarantee an unforgettable evening. 

Suggested donation $25 per person. Be the Power of One is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization



Queen's Inn: http://www.queensinn.com
Westbrook Wine Farm: http://www.westbrookwinefarm.com
Idle Hour Winery: http://www.idlehourwinery.com

Here is a "save to date" message. We have just confirmed the date of our 3rd Annual Wine Tasting Event...this year to include Oakhurst's own South Gate Brews and amazing local musical talents. So you're all welcome, and encouraged, to join us Saturday May 10th at the Queen's Inn/Idle Hour Winery in Oakhurst, Ca. (www.QueensInn.com)

We will also have an amazing grand prize for our drawing at the May 10th Wine Tasting Event. Thank you Michael Ambrose for this incredible print!! All of Michael's work can be seen and purchased at Tenaya Lodge Yosemite…or won on May 10th. Tickets for the drawing will be available soon and at the event. Check out Michael's work at www.michaelambrose.com 

Michael working on location.

Yosemite Valley - Tunnel View

What a year it has been….

Be the Power of One 2013 Summary

As we come to the end of 2013 we look back on a year of reflection, growth, accomplishments and great joy. Our Board of Directors would like to thank you for the support and encouragement you have given to Be the Power of One this year. Your gifts have changed the lives of so many children and families.

Our annual trip in August gave us an opportunity to once again coordinate the summer program at Institution Vallee d'Adoration et Benediction in Pignon, Haiti. It is such a wonderfully exhausting week for us. By week’s end the program that includes school lessons, craft projects, singing and plenty of outdoor fun attracts more than 200 children a day. When the week concludes, craft supplies, toothbrushes, toothpaste, small toys and gifts are given to each student. We are also able to provide students a nutritious lunch each day. Your ongoing support and our fundraising events have allowed us to pledge funds that will cover 60% of the school expenses for 120 year round students.

 Spending time at the school gives us a chance to witness how the community well, drilled with Rotary support in 2011 by Haiti Outreach, continues to profoundly affect the entire community. With a source close by, women and children no longer have to walk long distances to provide water for their families. The well is also a social center were folks of all ages interact as they wait for their turn at the pump. We spent time with the founder and executive director at Haiti Outreach and look forward to working with them on larger water projects.

Jean-Ronel Joseph the recipient of our first “Higher Education Scholarship” continues to excel in his two-year theological program at the Windward School of Evangelism in St Vincent. After graduating this coming April he will return to Haiti, and we look forward to having Jean-Ronel as our primary contact there. His English skills will quickly prove invaluable. We are so proud of his accomplishments and know that his hard work has changed his entire family’s future. Now we start the application and interview process for our next scholar.

Looking forward to 2014 we know we have our work cut out for us. We have committed in principle to partnering with Haiti Outreach in drilling five more community wells, a number of high school graduates have approached us regarding college scholarships and we are exploring opportunities to support other schools.                                                                                                                                            

                                                                                 These are ambitious goals for Be the Power of One.

Your support and encouragement will make this all possible. The work of Be the Power of One has already changed so many lives and 2014 is the year to step it up! As you make your year end contributions please consider an additional gift to Be the Power of One. Every dollar makes a huge impact in Haiti and 97% of each dollar goes directly to program expenses.

Please feel free to call with any questions. As always we welcome any opportunity to speak to your friends, churches or service clubs.