Group honors St. Bartholomew parishioner for efforts to help impoverished children in Haiti

In this Oct. 23, 2014 photo, Cathy Krieger, left, CEO of Children’s Place International and The Children’s Place Association, presents an award to Judy Harpenau, a member of St. Bartholomew Parish in Columbus. (Submitted photo)

Children’s Place International honored Judy Harpenau, a member of St. Bartholomew Parish in Columbus, for her lifelong dedication and commitment to help impoverished children at its annual fall fundraiser in Chicago on Oct. 23, 2014. Four other women were also honored.

The event highlighted the special contributions of women overseas and the United States toward changing the future for children living in extreme poverty.

After returning from a trip to Haiti 22 years ago, Harpenau co-founded the Friends of Haiti committee at St. Bartholomew Parish. The purpose of the group is to help the people of Limonade, Haiti, by offering both financial and non-financial assistance.

Among its many accomplishments over the past two decades, Friends of Haiti has educated hundreds of Haitian children—covering the costs of tuition, books and uniforms. It raised money to open and operate two nutrition centers for malnourished children and provided jobs for 30 employees from the local Haitian community. Friends of Haiti also provided funding to launch a school for children orphaned by the 2010 earthquake.

In 2006, Harpenau co-founded Konbit Lasante, a nonprofit organization focused on improving primary health care in Limonade. Through partnerships with Children’s Place International and a public clinic, Konbit is bringing vital care to hundreds of children and families. †

The Criterion

January 16, 2015

Group honors St. Bartholomew parishioner for efforts to help impoverished children in Haiti

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