CROWN POINT | Mike Fedele's efforts to rebuild his earthquake-damaged Haitian orphanage will get a big boost Sunday when a high-end Italian salon in Chicago's Old Town will offer $50 spa packages during its Hope for Haiti Cut-A-Thon.
A Cedar Lake woman explained Fedele's plight to Maria Paonessa, co-owner of Compagnia della Bellezza Chicago.
Trina Guggerty, who has worked with Paonessa in the past, said the Haiti fundraiser already was on the salon's drawing board when she contacted Paonessa about donating all proceeds to Life for the World, a nonprofit launched to support the Port-au-Prince orphanage Fedele founded eight years ago during a personal odyssey.
Fedele's mission has expanded from giving shelter to a dozen abandoned children to housing and schooling 150 children cared for by 20 local workers. Located some 20 miles from the earthquake's epicenter, the facility sustained such severe damage the children had to live outside until Children's International Lifeline offered them shelter for three months. That organization also serves underprivileged children.
Haitian authorities are requiring all orphanages to rebuild within three months or lose their license.
Guggerty said Paonessa had been looking for a reputable place to direct the proceeds from her fundraiser.
"She wanted to make sure it was a good organization," Guggerty said. "I put her in touch with Mike, and she loved him."
Paonessa said she found Fedele's story inspiring.
"It inspired me to help his cause, which is everyone's cause," Paonessa said. "We really, really wanted to do something."
Both women said the salon is going all out to make sure Fedele can continue his work. Ten designers are donating all their time Sunday to ensure success.
Clients will have a choice of packages, each composed of three separate services for a minimum $50 donation.
Haircuts alone usually run a minimum of $100 each, Guggerty said. The event also includes refreshments and a raffle.
Fedele, of Hammond, will attend the event.
"We will show a slide presentation of what we have going on and have a question-and-answer period," he said.
Proceeds will go toward the rebuilding and relocation of the orphanage.
If you go:
The Hope for Haiti Cut-A-Thon will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at Compagnia della Bellezza Chicago, 1500 N. Wells Ave. Reservations are required at (312) 944-6747. For more information, visit http://www.cdb-chicago.com.
