!! MEDIA ALERT !!

2016 HavServe Gala Celebrates Global Volunteerism Efforts in Haiti, Launches New Solar Tech Initiative

Saturday, January 16, 2016 – Silver Spring, MD - The HavServe Volunteer Service Network (HavServe) will gather once again on January 16, 2016 from 6-11 pm in Silver Spring, MD to introduce innovative new programs while also celebrating their local and multi-national volunteers, donors, supporters and sponsors who make HavServe’s work in the rural villages of Haiti possible throughout the year. The event will be at the Silver Spring Civic Bldg. at Veterans Plaza, 1 Veterans Place, Silver Spring, MD 20910.

Approximately 300 attendees are expected for this event -- the 2016 Annual Fundraising and Volunteer Recognition Gala: Unleashing the Spirit of Volunteering in Haiti to Reach One Child at a Time – representing the broad range of individuals supporting HavServe’s pioneering work, from international dignitaries to business leaders, teachers, environmentalists, athletes, musicians and volunteers.  

Highlights of the gala will include the launch of a new solar technology partnership, and the introduction of a new HavServe Board of Directors, including Ambassador Bocchit Edmond, Representative of Haiti to the Organization of American States (OAS), joining HavServe as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors.  Attendees will see how the organization’s solar lamp collaboration with Efficienados Solutions, LLC will light up the homes and lives of school children so that they can do homework at night in their rural villages where there is no electricity. 

Gala guests will enjoy fine Haitian food by Chez Yiamme Cuisine, entertainment by renowned Haitian singer/actor/director Jean-Claude Eugene, and a performance by Liliana Robeson and the Etnika Foundation, followed by dancing to Haitian compass music.  Attendees who purchase tickets will have the chance to win 2 free airline tickets to Panama or Columbia, graciously donated by COPA Airlines. (www.copaair.com)

The 100% volunteer-run, not-for-profit organization, HavServe was established in the wake of the despair and displacement left by Haiti’s January 2010 earthquake and works in rural Haiti to restore a sense of hope and possibility in the lives of children and youth by creating conditions that increase their access to a quality primary education.

Tickets for this fun-filled event are now available only at the door. For location details, volunteer information, or to donate to supporting the continuation of HavServe’s work, go to https://havserveannualgala2016.eventbrite.com

Visit www.havserve.org to learn more about particular projects, to donate, or to volunteer. For more information, contact us via  info@havserve.org or HavServe - PO Box 4173, Silver Spring, MD 20914.

Media interested in covering the event may contact Beth Hilton, the B Company, at  bethhilton(at)theBcompany(dot)com. Press release and event images will be made available following the Gala.

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ACTION MOVES PEOPLE: A Spoken Word & Music Album to Support Global Nonprofit MOVE THIS WORLD

Earlier this month, a group of Grammy Award-Winning producers and performers joined together to release an inspirational charity album ACTION MOVES PEOPLE to benefit the non-profit organization MOVE THIS WORLD, a global nonprofit that uses creative movement to address and transform conflict and violence in communities. All proceeds from the sales of this CD benefit the MOVE THIS WORLD charity.

ACTION MOVES PEOPLE is a collection of poems and songs for people of all ages. Some are gentle songs, others are edgier, a purposeful range in style in pursuit of conveying that we are all one people, regardless of race, religion, age and lifestyle; that we can all endure the challenges of life, uplift ourselves and one another, and help each other through life's easy and difficult moments. 

It's always interesting and inspiring to see who turns up to support on another on cause albums such as this one.  Here, the range is eclectic, and includes international artists John Wetton (Asia, King Crimson, UK), Japanese Progressive group Electric Asturias, renowned children's musician Bobby Susser and others coming together with luminaries like world-renowned author/researcher Colin Andrews. 

Recently, Heather Caton MSW, President of the World Genesis Foundation, said, “ACTION MOVES PEOPLE is a wonderful collaboration and has brought amazing hearts and minds together. May it continue to have such a positive and uplifting effect, bringing peace and connecting people. It is such an uplifting feeling to be connecting with more and more people who share the same vision of our world in harmony; of a peaceful co-existence with people from all walks of life, race, culture, religion, and lifestyle. Our connection with each other makes us stronger, we can make a world of difference working together." 

In partnership with schools, community-based organizations, families and corporations, MTW is building and connecting more peaceful communities with over 10,000 individuals across 22 cities and 4 continents.

The album, its content and mission, has been applauded by music luminaries such as Paul Simon, Billy Vera and Ben E. King. The producers on the project included Kevin Mackie, Krista Wallhagen, Whitney Peyton, Rave Tesar, Kevin Frank, and Bobby Susser. The album debuted on August 27th, 2013 through Kevin Mackie Productions and will be distributed via CD Baby, with proceeds going to MOVE THIS WORLD.

Regarding the album collaboration, Bobby Susser (an award-winning children's musician and lecturer who contributed to two pieces plus the liner notes) commented “I've worked for forty two years writing and recording children's songs. While I've tried to entertain them, I've always made a very conscious effort to teach them something. So, when Kevin Mackie asked me to write some lyrics and recite them for a Spoken Word album, "Action Moves People", I jumped at the chance. The fact that the album will benefit children has always been a philosophy of mine. In addition, the fact that this is a non-profit, charity project made it more appealing. I'm especially proud to have joined Kevin and his team in their production efforts on their very worthy album for a very worthy cause.”

Bobby Susser, producer, musician and lecturer, with his inspirational sidekick.

Susser’s reading of the spoken word piece he wrote for the album can be heard on his YouTube channel at www.YouTube.com/BobbySusser  Just click to listen and explore more about MOVE THIS WORLD or ACTION MOVES PEOPLE.