Fundraiser to Bring Clean Water to Haiti

I've received word from Dennis Hida, one of the volunteers at the Honolulu Twestival in February, that he's working on his own fundraiser to bring clean water to a community in need. "A dream of mine is becoming a realization," he writes. "Our church has rallied around my 'ministry' and is having a Bento Sale & Concert on Friday, July 10th, 2009 at Windward Church of the Nazarene in Kaneohe."

The 6 p.m. concert in the church sanctuary will feature live music, and admission is $5 for adults, $3 for kids, and free for children four years old and younger. Soups, baked goods, chips and drinks will be sold on the spot. But tickets for some food items are available via pre-sale. Bento from Akyth are available for $8 for a large, $6 for a mini combo, and $4 for keiki. Homemade Spam musubi will also be sold for $2. Just e-mail Dennis at dennishida@hotmail.com or call him at 469-9784.

Bento pickup will be between 3:30 and 5:30 p.m., with the concert to follow.

Dennis says the fundraising goal is $4,750, which is what it costs to dig a well in the city of Gonaives in Haiti. "Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere, and they have one of if not the poorest water quality of any country in the world," Dennis notes. "The same water that is used to clean clothes, wash dishes, or take a bath in, is used to drink."

Whether you pre-order and pick up a bento, come to the concert, or just make a straight donation, Dennis says every little bit helps. Checks can be made out to "Haiti Water Project."