Hearts for Haiti Kickoff a Success

Chocolate and love abounded at the Chocolate Rose Shoppe Thursday, the venue for the Hearts for Haiti charity kickoff.

The event, coordinated by Madison resident Lauren Cantor, featured free chocolates, cheeses and wines while showcasing artwork being sold to the public in an effort to raise funds for the struggling island nation of Haiti, which lies crippled as a result of a massive earthquake. Included in the items being sold were packets of note cards, which featured artwork, made specifically for the relief efforts with the American Red Cross.

According to Mary Schaenen, communications and marketing manager with the American Red Cross, Hearts for Haiti began as a simple school project, but ballooned into something even greater.

Cantor said she wanted to help those affected in Haiti

"I think it's sad there are so many roadblocks for aid," Cantor said.

Schaenen added that she was touched by the outpouring of compassion from Madison residents.

"We've had individual donations and school and church groups donate, but we haven't had a whole town present a program like this. It really is incredible what they have done here," Schaenen said.

"The needs are immense, and we are just wrapping up with relief efforts for the tsunami in 2004, so we know relief efforts in Haiti will be long term," Schaenen said.

Cantor's 8-year-old daughter Elle created a painting to be sold as part of Hearts for Haiti.

"I just feel really bad about what happened in Haiti, and I think everyone is happy we're doing this because we have things they need," Elle said.

Ron Waksman, owner of the newly opened Chocolate Rose Shoppe, volunteered to have his store host the kickoff event.

"It's a good cause and we wanted to help them raise funds," he said. "This was our way of helping."

Hearts for Haiti had the support of 65 sponsors, predominantly from Madison and the Madison area. The goal is to raise $50,000 for the American Red Cross.