Hearts for Haiti Will Provide Family Fun for Good Cause

Lauren Cantor has grown an even bigger heart for the residents of Haiti ever since she and third-grade daughter Elle began Hearts for Haiti.

"This for me has become more about giving to an impoverished country, not about the earthquake anymore," Cantor said. "I want this to be about the people and state of the country."

This Sunday, April 11, at the Madison Community House, Madison residents and people from the surrounding area will be able to help give, too.

Hearts for Haiti will be hosting Kids' Fun Day from noon - 3 p.m. where children can have a good time while raising money for a good cause.

Admission is free for the event that operates like a carnival. Children will be able to purchase tickets for carnival-type games and other activities, such as hair braiding and spin art. There will also be a professional henna tattoo artist.

Cantor's brother and his business partner are setting up the carnival theme through their business, Events Plus Entertainment, just one of the sponsors of the event. The others are Knowledge Points Learning Center, Plaza Lanes, The Suburban Shop, and Tons of Toys.

Free of any charge will be the activity Art for Haiti. Children will be able to create their own heart. Parents would then have the option to purchase the child's art on one of five objects–such pillow cases and ceramic ornaments–from Art for Charity. Proceeds from that sale will go toward the American Red Cross.

Also for sale will be Hearts for Haiti art cards and hot top bottle cap necklaces. Food and drinks will also be provided.

Cantor says 100 percent of the money from the event, except for the amount needed for Art for Charity to cover the materials for their objects, will go to the American Red Cross for Haiti relief.

Cantor is in the process of rebuilding the Hearts for Haiti Web site and is happy with the support she and the project have received.

"One thing I'm thrilled about is the effort to raise money for the cause has been consistent," Cantor said. " People still care about it and we're still raising money now. Though the effort is a little slower now than it was in the beginning, it's still steady. We're trying to think of new ways to create awareness for the victims"