Celebrate HOPE

What started locally as a group on a mission trip has transformed into an inspiring effort to help some in Africa with basic needs, needs we often take for granted. Last night the 2nd annual Celebrate HOPE fundraiser was held at The Venue Event Center in Cape Girardeau.

The Celebrate HOPE fundraiser and other donations brought in more than $125,000 for the Heart for Africa organization last year to help build an orphanage in Swaziland, a small, destitute country in Southern Africa. And this year's event -- which was expected to draw more than 600 individuals -- raised funds for a medical/dental clinic. The clinic will be built at Project Canaan, the site where the orphanage that funds were raised for last year is being constructed.

Last year artist Brian Keith Daniel created a painting that was sold for $8,500. Daniel was back again this year to paint another piece to be auctioned off. Some of the other items auctioned off included a condo trip, an Angelina Jolie purse, a vintage leather coat signed by Sheryl Crow and an autographed baseball bat donated by Chicago Cubs infielder Blake DeWitt.

But the volunteer work by the fundraiser's organizers doesn't stop with monetary support. Teresa Birk, one of the event's organizers, said a group will be going to Africa in June to help with construction of the orphanage and another group will go in July. Birk said those who would like to register for one of the mission trips can do so through the Heart for Africa website, www.heartforafrica.org.

One of the most heart-warming aspects of this effort is the support by individuals from a wide variety of denominations. Churches and other faith-based organizations in the Southeast Missouri area are showing a Christ-like love by supporting individuals in need.