Geneva mom leaves comforts of home to help in Haiti
Volunteer groups and church missions to Third World countries are great examples of the American spirit and desire to help those in need.
But how about a local mom enjoying all of the comforts of home, deciding to undertake a tough task in a suffering country without the benefit of teaming up with friends, a church or a service club?
Kerrie Balance of Geneva had a keen interest in what was happening in Haiti following its devastating earthquake, and the thought of going there to help entered her mind often especially after her daughter Kelsey had been involved in an AIDS awareness campaign in Africa a year earlier.
“I was inspired by what Kelsey did in Africa, and I had seen the horrible pictures of Haiti, and I just thought that this was a time in my life where I could do something, Balance said. “I looked around for a local group that may be going there, but couldn't find any, so I did some more research and found the Global Volunteer Network.
“I just decided I would do it, Balance added. “And when I told my husband, he just about fell over.
With her family's full support, Balance went to an area outside Port-au-prince in Haiti in early September for two weeks of volunteer work, teaching English to Haitian orphans.
It didn't take long to realize that her comfortable life as a suburban mom was an extreme departure from life in this severely battered country.
“It was far worse than I ever imagined, Balance said of the situation in Haiti. “This was my first time in a Third World country, and it just left my mouth hanging open. I just couldn't believe that 10 million people were living like this, and the destruction was unbelievable.
The volunteer work turned into a passion for Haitian children that Balance says will stay with her forever.
“The thought that stuck with me most was that I was honored and privileged to work with the orphans, and I hope and pray that many will find a way out and get educated, Balance said. “The older ones know what the rest of the world is like, but for many there is not a lot of hope of ever finding a better life.
It was “ungodly hot and the ants, bugs and other animals were a problem, mostly at night. It was a challenge in trying to sleep in a sweltering tent in complete darkness, Balance said.
But those hardships aside, Balance said she would volunteer to go to Haiti again and would consider a local organization.
“The people are so beautiful over there, but they have no means to get out, Balance said. “And, having been there, that is very hard for me to think about.
A solid foundation:
With President Barack Obama recently singing the praises of community colleges, it was a perfect time to stop in on the “Foundation Friends event last week at the Onesti Italian Steakhouse in St. Charles.
This gathering of Elgin Community College Foundation members, college trustees and supporters reinforced what the president was saying about the great opportunities awaiting young people.
Brett Lindstrom, the ECC Foundation Board chairman, said the organization is a key in that role, providing “up to 180 chances for opportunity a year with scholarships.
Attendees also got a briefing from ECC President David Sam, who has been instrumental in guiding the college through incredible growth, hitting an all-time high enrollment of 12,000 students this fall.
Sam talked about future campus growth with a health careers center, new library, student resource center, multipurpose classroom building and a Public Safety and Sustainability Center for law enforcement and fire safety students.
“Heroes need a place to work, too, Sam said of the public safety center. “We are working with municipalities in the area for the location of this center, and once it is chosen, students in these fields will no longer have to travel all the way to Champaign to be involved in these studies.
Bras send a message:
The Bee Hive Tavern and Grille in downtown St. Charles will be busting with bras on Thursday night.
The tavern at 204 W. Main St. is hosting its first Brasapalooza event to benefit the Living Well Cancer Resource Center.
Ladies are asked to donate a new or clean used bra to be displayed from the rafters at the tavern during the event, which will be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. A $25 donation at the door will allow participants to enjoy appetizers, and get in on raffle prizes or purchase a Brasapalooza shirt.
Those bras hanging from the rafters? They'll be donated to the Bra Recyclers/Bosom Buddies organization to be distributed to women in need.
The Living Well Cancer Resource Center will have an information table set up as well.
Brighten up your place:
A workplace decorated with poinsettias for the holidays is a nice touch for employees and visitors. And this is the time of the year to think about that.
TriCity Family Services is hoping many businesses in the area agree with that concept as they hook up with Shady Hill Gardens in Elburn to offer its second annual Poinsettia Sale fundraiser.
Another nice touch is that the agency is offering free delivery to homes or businesses that order 10 or more plants.
You have four different plant sizes to choose from, but must place the order by Nov. 19 by calling TriCity Family Services at (630) 232-1070 or ordering on the website at tricityfamilyservices.org.
Vigil for ribbons:Don't forget the candlelight vigil at 7 p.m. next Sunday in front of Geneva City Hall to kick off the city's annual Red Ribbon Week with its anti-drug message.We all experience frustration when drug problems continue to plague a community, but it's not a pleasant thought to consider what would happen if we gave up that fight.#376; dheun@sbcglobal.net 34122620In her spare time in Haiti, Kerrie Balance worked with other volunteers to build benches for a school.Kerrie Balance