Andrea Parsons, owner/administrator of the Saugeen Valley Nursing Center in Mount Forest, had a personal reason for getting involved in fundraising for Haiti. Her mother, Mary Ann Schlegel was in the country when an earthquake devastated it in January.
Mrs. Schlegel was part of the Mission of Hope for Haiti group from Sauble Christian Fellowship, volunteering at an orphanage just outside of Port-au-Prince. It was her first mission trip.
When Ms. Parsons knew that her mother was safe she decided to make a donation to Haitian earthquake relief – and challenged everyone in Mount Forest to do the same. She promised the nursing center would match every donation to the Mennonite Central Committee (for Haiti relief) up to $2,000.
Cheques started pouring in.  Saugeen Valley Nursing Centre increased its matching limit from $2,000 to $3,000 “to match the overwhelming community spirit of giving towards others,” Ms. Parsons said.
When everything was totalled up, including the government’s promised matching funds, the initiative raised $13,820.08 for Haitian relief.
A resident and their family also donated blankets, sheets towels and other items which will be used to make Relief Kits of Haitians.
“We should all be proud and grateful to live in a community that cares so deeply for others and funds fulfillment in doing onto others,” Ms. Parsons said. “Mount Forest leads by example.”