Fundraiser this weekend to help African clinic

Organizers of this year's Celebrate HOPE fundraiser know that topping the success of last year's event will be tough.

The 2010 event, which raised money to build an orphanage in Swaziland, raised $122,000, and subsequent donations pushed the total to more than $125,000.

"We expect it to be a super event," said Teresa Birk, who with Raelenna Ferguson organized this year's Celebrate HOPE event.

Birk said they do not have a specific goal for this year.

"Of course we always hope to improve on last year's total," she said.

Saturday night's event is nearing a sellout, with all but 25 of the 600 tickets sold as of Monday afternoon. The remaining $30 tickets can be purchased at MedAssets at 200 S. Mount Auburn Road or by e-mail at teresabirk@hotmail.com. The fundraiser is at 7 p.m. Saturday at The Venue Event Center. Doors open at 5:30.

All of the proceeds from Celebrate HOPE will be used to build a medical/dental clinic in Swaziland, a small African nation. The clinic will be built at Project Canaan, a 2,500-acre tract in Swaziland that will also be the site of the orphanage.

Construction is underway on the children's home, which will open in September and eventually house up to 80 orphans. The home will be named El Roi, a Hebrew phrase meaning "the God who sees me."

Both the children's home and the clinic are being constructed through the efforts of Heart for Africa, which owns the Project Canaan site. Heart for Africa is a Christian charity that provides care for children in Swaziland.

Autographed merchandise will be sold by auction at the fundraiser, including a vintage leather coat signed by music star and Kennett, Mo., native Sheryl Crow and an autographed baseball bat donated by Chicago Cubs infielder Blake DeWitt of Sikeston, Mo.

Those at the fundraiser will witness Atlanta artist Brian Keith Daniel create a painting that will be auctioned. Daniel created a painting for last year's event that sold for $8,500. The winning bidder donated the piece to be displayed in the children's home.

Live music will be performed by Candy Coburn, a Missouri native and recording artist. Coburn wrote and recorded "Pink Warrior," which is the theme song for Susan G. Komen for the Cure and its efforts in combating breast cancer.

Those who can't attend Saturday's event can still support the cause by making a donation through the organization's website, www.celebratehopecape.com. Those who donate $50 online will be entered into a raffle to win a Gucci purse autographed by actress Angelina Jolie.

More than 80 local volunteers are expected to make the local organization's third mission trip to Swaziland July 1 to 25. Volunteers will work at Project Canaan on construction and agricultural projects as well as in the communities starting gardens and teaching people how to sustain them and grow food.

"Of course, we'll be sharing the word of God with them" as well, Birk said.

Pertinent Address:

80 S. Plaza Way, Cape Girardeau MO

200 S. Mount Auburn Road, Cape Girardeau MO