FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 22, 2010

(St. Louis, MO)  Several St. Patrick Center homeless clients today presented a check for $55,000 to CRUDEM Foundation for the total funds they helped raise during the “Helping Hearts Cookies for Haiti” initiative following the January earthquake in Haiti.

More than two dozen homeless men and women volunteered their time in January and February to bake heart-shaped sugar cookies to sell to local businesses, churches, schools and organizations for community bake sales. Hollyberry Baking Company donated time and materials to train and supervise the homeless clients in the production of cookies. St. Patrick Center donors, including Wells Fargo Advisors, World Wide Technology and GFI Digital, covered all ingredient costs, allowing 100 percent of the proceeds to go to the CRUDEM Foundation’s Hôpital Sacré Coeur in Milot, Haiti.

Following the quake, St. Patrick Center homeless clients were looking for a way to assist with the relief efforts. “Our clients were moved by the news reports about Haiti,” said St. Patrick Center CEO Dan Buck. “They wanted to do something to make a difference for the victims. One of our clients suggested holding a bake sale, and Helping Hearts Cookies for Haiti was born in our Culinary Suite in the BEGIN New Venture Center.” 

Beginning on January 19, St. Patrick Center clients and community volunteers baked, packaged, distributed and sold more than 30,000 Helping Hearts Cookies in one of the St. Louis area’s largest bake sales. In addition, the St. Louis business community embraced the endeavor. On February 12, 2010, GFI Digital employees and several other local companies volunteered their time to pass out more than 15,000 Helping Hearts Cookies at Scottrade Center prior to a St. Louis Blues game. All donations collected went directly to Haitian earthquake relief efforts.

“We don’t get the opportunity to sit on a board or work for a foundation, but we got to show our love,” said Eric Burse, St. Patrick Center client. “We’ll never know the magnitude of what $55,000 will do for our brothers and sisters in Haiti,” added client Roger Mudd.
 
“We were honored to be involved in this wonderful, grassroots effort on the part of St. Patrick Center clients to assist the earthquake victims,” said Holly Cunningham, president of Hollyberry Baking. “Every penny raised during this effort will help to rebuild the lives of those affected by this disaster.”

Representatives from the CRUDEM Foundation attended today’s event to collect the check. “Helping Hearts Cookies for Haiti was a spectacular idea,” says Charles Dubuque, CRUDEM Foundation board member. “Our entire board was stunned by the creativity and generoisty of St. Patrick Center clients, staff and partners who looked outside of their needs and into someone else’s.” The CRUDEM Foundation operates the largest medical facility in Northern Haiti, about 100 miles north of Port-Au-Prince. Prior to the devastation, the facility held 73 beds. Since the disaster, the hospital has housed as many as 400 people.

MISSION:
St. Patrick Center provides opportunities for self-sufficiency and dignity to persons who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Individuals achieve permanent, positive changes in their lives through affordable housing, sound mental health, employment and financial stability.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Kelly Peach
Senior Director of Communications
St. Patrick Center
Direct line: 314-802-0687
Cell: 314-581-7126
kpeach@stpatrickcenter.org

Stephanie Rea
Writer/Producer
St. Patrick Center
314.802.1968
srea@stpatrickcenter.org

www.stlhelpinghearts.org

www.crudem.org