Haitian Beatz

In commemoration of the two year anniversary of the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti in

January 2010, the members of 1199SEIU hosted the 1st annual “We Care for Haiti” gala in New York City on Saturday. Jan. 14. The fundraiser honored those who went above and beyond for Haiti in the wake of the earthquake.

“Due to the fact that it was the second anniversary of the earthquake, I thought it was a good idea to have  the Minister come here to pay tribute to those who really helped during the darkest hours following the earthquake,” said Moses St. Louis, founder of HaitianBeatz.com,and also staff member of 1199 SEIU “especially the New York City agencies that sent  first responders to Haiti.”

Honorees included Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly, hip-hop artist Wyclef Jean, former governor David Patterson and Dennis Walcott, chancellor of the New York City Department of Education.

The night opened with a silent auction, followed by dinner and live performances. The proceeds from the auction go to supporting the Survival Kit Drive for the Women of Haiti, supported by 1199 SEIU.

“I’m here to say thank you,” Daniel Supplice, Minister of Haitians Living Abroad. “Jan. 12 we fell down but we got up again; and we will stay up because of you Haitians living abroad.”

Supplice and Councilman Mathieu Eugene presented the awards to several community supporters. Supplice thanked Kelly for supporting the Haitian community after the earthquake.

“In the name of the Haitian people, in the name of the Haitian government, we want to thank, publicly, Commissioner Kelly,” Supplice said. “[He] and the police department spent time in Haiti…thank you.”