The Kindness of Home: Local Support of Andrew Grene Foundation

Feb. 12, 2010 - PRLog -- He devoted much of his working life to the UN, and as a peacekeeping strategist he worked in troubled areas across the globe, from Africa, to Asia to Haiti.  He loved, admired, and believed passionately in what he did, and from the bottom of his being, he believed in the joy, spirit, and potential of the Haitian people.  Andrew gave his life in the cause of peace, when the UN HQ building in Port-au-Prince collapsed on the evening of 12th January 2010.

Andrew’s brother Gregory and close friend Tim Perutz have set up the Andrew Grene Foundation in memory of Andrew to raise funds for the education of children in Haiti and to aid micro financing small scale business to assist Haitian self-sufficiency, businesses that can make the difference between supporting a family and poverty that is beyond most of our imaginations.  In just two weeks the Foundation has received donations of over £25,000.00, a tremendous response from all corners of the globe.  

Andrew made a lasting impression to all who came into contact with him and nowhere more so than in his home in Ireland; and the Belturbet community has responded with true kindness and warmth.  Donations to the Foundation have ranged from local schools, to senior centres, to individuals reaching out in the most profound and kindly ways.  On the day after Andrew’s funeral, his twin brother Gregory stopped at a neighbouring farmer’s house.  His daughter had had her tenth birthday the day before the funeral.  Rather than take presents from her friends, she had asked for donations to the Foundation; and shyly she hid behind her daddy while he presented the family with a cheque for 300 euro.

Gregory commented:  ‘The kindness and generosity of the community has been overwhelming and I can’t thank everyone enough for their continuing support.’

For further information about the Foundation, go to www.andewgrenefoundation.org or email tim.perutz@andrewgrenefoundation.org.

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The Andrew Grene Foundation is a
charity dedicated to providing aid
direct to the people of Haiti. Funds are
allocated to the education of Haitian
children and to the microfinancing of
small-scale Haitian businesses.