10th Annual Art & Soul Virtual Gala
Don’t forget to include the code A&S22 at checkout for a 15% discount!
Supporting and providing healthcare in rural Haiti
The Vassar Haiti Project’s 10th annual Art & Soul Gala raises funds for the staffing, supplies, and operation of a medical clinic in Fiervil, Haiti for a full year. The clinic annually serves thousands of families from 45 remote mountainous communities by providing medical care that these residents would otherwise not have access to. The Art & Soul Gala is supported by local physicians, businesses, and families from the Hudson Valley.
We invite you to learn more, and to join us at the Gala to celebrate the progress being made and take a stand for improving healthcare accessibility in rural Haiti.
The event will take place over Zoom, and the link will be sent to you at whatever email you indicate on the registration form above, or on a returned physical RSVP card.
Honoring
The Rotary Clubs of the Hudson Valley
&
Jerry ‘Wonda’ Duplessis
Sponsorship Levels
DIAMOND - $10,000 SILVER - $1,500
PLATINUM - $5,000 BRONZE - $750
GOLD - $3,000 COPPER - $500
FRIEND - $250
Recognition and acknowledgment of your sponsorship will be included in the advertising for the Gala in local papers and magazines, on the VHP website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Your sponsorship entitles you to a surprise gift from Haitian artisans.
This time of ongoing global uncertainty has magnified the social inequities threatening communities all across the globe and demonstrates how the values that underpin our work and mission are as important now as ever. The proceeds of this event will support the operation of our medical clinic in Haiti, which provides the only accessible source of healthcare to people in a remote, mountainous region in northwestern Haiti. The clinic is run in consultation with and through the funding of the Vassar Haiti Project and its Medical Advisory Board. Thanks to you, nearly 3000 patients annually are being seen by Haitian physician, Dr. Gueslin Joassainvil and two Haitian nurses.
Current Sponsors
Copper
Carole M Berotte Joseph, PhD
Diane Cicatello, MD
Abby & John Dux
Eleanor Katz
Dr. Sarah Levin & Joseph Tanski
Susan Levinson & David Schwartz
Florence Marc-Charles
Susanna Nemes
Carly Ritter
Joan Sherman
Gabrielle Wolfsberger, MD
Friend
Ivy Chen
Cecily & Michael Frazier
Caryn & Scott Halle
Eileen & Peter Leonard
Elke & Neal Marsh
Newburgh Rotary Club
Pleasant Valley Rotary Club
Kaven Marder & Adam Rubinstein, MD
Marie-José Montanez
Katherine Pherson
Susan Stafford
Susan Wilson
Platinum
Premier Medical Group
Gold
Carla M. Burns
Silver
Olivia Dorman, MD & Clive Dorman, PhD
Molly & Daniel Katz, MD
Eastale Village
Sunhee Woo, MD & David Cho, MD
Bronze
Nancy & Adam Belok
Vassasr College
Ingrid Dodard, MD
Elizabeth & Ethan Gundeck, MD
Kim Heller, MD & Ira Hochman
Julia Humiston
Kristin Respass, MD & Dr. John Respass, MD
Amy Sherman
Joy & Michael Solomon
Submit Online Payment through Form Below or Mail a Check:
Payable to:
Vassar Haiti Project
PO Box 2985
Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
Rotary Clubs of the Hudson Valley
Rotary International is a global network of over 1.4 million people who unite to act and create lasting change in the world. This expansive community of changemakers provides service to others, promotes integrity, and advances world understanding, goodwill, and peace through business, professional and community leaders. The global 46000+ clubs fight disease, provide clean water, sanitation, and hygiene, save mothers and children, support education, grow local economies, and protect the environment.
The Vassar Haiti Project’s mission to promote sustainable development in rural Haiti overlaps with Rotary’s vision. We are grateful to partner with the Rotary Clubs of the Hudson Valley since 2010 to bring clean water, healthcare, education, and economic opportunities to over 45 villages in northwestern Haiti. Thanks to their passion, guidance, and commitment to our work, we can achieve what once seemed impossible. The Vassar Haiti Project students are inspired by Rotary members, their partnership, and dedication to being agents of positive change in the world. Through their mentorship, a RotarACT club has been established on Vassar College’s campus.
In addition to the Rotary Clubs of the Hudson Valley, the Vassar Haiti Project honors the partnership between the Clubs of 7210 and the Gonaives Rotary Club in Haiti, started by Père André Wildane, VHP’s main partner in Haiti. Through a collaboration between the Memorial des Gonaives Club and various Hudson Valley Clubs, we have started construction on a solar lab bringing electricity to the medical clinic in Fiervil and establishing an adult education program!
Jerry ‘Wonda’ Duplessis
Grammy Award-winning, multi-platinum music producer Jerry ‘Wonda’ Duplessis is one of the most highly regarded producers to emerge from the hip-hop era since the early 1990’s. He is an entrepreneur and philanthropist whose stellar music career includes three Grammy Awards and 16+ nominations, a publishing catalog of 300+ titles, and 300+ million single and album copies sold. The self-taught musician has produced hits in every genre of music including hip hop, pop, R & B, reggae, world, and rock. He has worked with musical greats including Whitney Houston, Rihanna, Shakira, Santana, Beyonce, Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton, John Legend, Michael Jackson, Justin Bieber, and many others, including the Fugees with his cousin Wyclef Jean. His hit “Hips Don’t Lie” with Shakira and Wyclef Jean broke music records globally. Jerry produced songs and scores for ten films and documentaries including the Golden Globe-nominated “Million Voices” for Hotel Rwanda.
Jerry has a large portfolio of business ventures, including founding one of the most iconic music recording studios in NYC, Platinum Sound. He serves as a Governor of the NY Chapter of the Recording Academy (the Grammy’s) and Co-Chair of its Producers & Engineers Wing. His philanthropic work includes being a Goodwill Ambassador to Haiti for advocating and supporting the Haitian people on humanitarian relief, education, health, sustainable business, and community development. He is also known for his work with education, affordable housing, and mental health. He is a stalwart of NJ and Newark communities, working on youth arts and entrepreneur initiatives; he received the Impact Award from Rutgers University. Jerry is on the Board of Directors at Newark Symphony Hall, Backline, and the Vassar Haiti Project.
