NY Mets to Honor Haitian-Americans United for Progress at Citi Field’s First Annual Haitian Heritage Night

NEW YORK, February 22, 2010 – Haitian-Americans United for Progress (HAUP) will receive the NY Mets Spirit Award on April 7, 2010 in recognition of its achievements and service to the Haitian community over the last 34 years. On this occasion HAUP will launch a unique partnership with Queen’s renowned baseball team which includes:

• Celebrating Haitian Heritage Night on the 2nd game of the baseball season at Citi Field. This year, the NY Mets are scheduled to play their second game against the Florida Marlins.
• Providing HAUP with a cash donation derived from a percentage of the sale of 450 tickets entrusted to HAUP. The charitable gifts will support local efforts as well as the House of Handicapped Children based in Haiti.
• 4-5 representatives selected by HAUP, including HAUP Executive Director Elsie Accilien, will be on the field for a pre-game presentation of the Mets Spirit Award and for recognizing HAUP for the event.
• The Experience at Sacred Heart of Jesus Roman Catholic Church – a musical group co-founded by Elsie Accilien, and composer/songwriter Michael Capobianco — will sing the American National Anthem.
• Citi Field will provide several HAUP information tables throughout the field, where HAUP representatives will provide resources about their organization and how spectators can help raise funds for Haiti relief.

Tickets will print on March 7th, 2010. Call 718 527 3776 x 17 or 347 327 8500 to order through  HAUP.

1st Annual Haitian Heritage Night at Citi Field April 7th, 2010

Haitian-Americans United for Progress is pleased to announce its agreement with the NY Mets to celebrate Haitian Heritage Night on the 2nd game of every season at Citi Field. This year’s Haitian Heritage Night will be Wednesday, April 7th 2010 (NY Mets vs Florida Marlins).

This agreement calls for HAUP to be awarded a percentage of the sales of tickets sold at HAUP in support of relief efforts in the US and Haiti. The monies awarded will support HAUP’s own efforts to provide assistance to Haitians in the US affected by the quake, as well as two charities operating in Haiti: la Maison des Enfants Handicappes/Handicapped Children and “Ecole Communautaire de Sion” in Haiti.

For this event to be the success that we believe it can be, we will need everyone’s participation in getting the word out to promote the event and generate ticket sales. HAUP’s tickets are as follows and can be reserved immediately by calling 718-527-3776 x 17 or 347 327 8500.

1) Big Apple Reserved Section to be sold at $21 each

2) Promenade Reserved Section to be sold at $11 each

We were able to reach this agreement with the NY Mets thanks to two professionals who are lending their services to us:

• Fuljens Henry, a PR and Media Consultant, and

• Warren Gardiner, NYS Senator Shirley Huntley’s Government and Community Relations officer. Her office has graciously lent him to us.

Given their close involvement with this initiative, they will be managing the event so that we can achieve the hoped-for success.

We look forward to your participation at this wonderful event.

HAUP to Host Haiti Relief Service Fair

Event will take place on Saturday, February 27, 2010 from 10 AM to 4 PM

HAUP will hold a Haiti Relief Service Fair at Sacred Heart School in Cambria Heights, NY.  The 6 hour fair which starts at 10 AM and ends at 4 PM will address the concerns of community residents.

There will be free counseling to Haitians on applying for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), a benefit which the Obama administration triggered in response to the quake, as well as other immigration counseling. Questions regarding adoptions, entitlements, and available community resources will be handled by trained and qualified personnel at the fair. For children, there will be a fun zone where they can play.

Sacred Heart School is located at 115-50 221st street in Cambria Heights. Please call 718.527.3776 ext 17 to speak to Warren or Sophia for additional information.