2016 – THE YEAR IN REVIEW We want to thank the Members of the Community for their support and trust during a busy and challenging year. Some of our activities included but were not limited to: • Meeting/Brainstorming session with Community leaders with concentration on 30-year Anniversary of the Association. • A Kermesse, Haitian style fair during which the Louverture Cultural Center was inaugurated. The fair included a Health Clinic by USF Medical students, Haitian music, Food, Games, Sale of Haitian products, etc. • 30-year anniversary Gala at the Tampa Hilton Hotel. More than 300 tickets sold. At this event Scholarships to three (3) deserving students from the Pierre Conzé Scholarship Fund were delivered. • Relief Effort for Victims of Hurricane Matthew in Haiti. The outpouring of support from the Community was tremendous. Cash donations and items such as Food, clothing, medical supplies, hygiene products, etc were received. With the assistance of HAFTB board members, their families and volunteers including USF students we were able to ship a 20- foot container -- more than 350 boxes were delivered. Beneficiaries were from the Grande Anse area. Cost of shipment was covered by HAFTB. • Our Community meetings included educational presentations by prominent leaders in the community in the fields of Medicine, Education, Law, and Finance. A trend we plan to pursue with input from experts in different fields. Incentives were offered to attendees at those meetings in order to encourage participation and boost membership. Our hope is that every Haitian family or friends of Haiti will sign up to become a member. • Board members responded to crises and were present for advice, guidance and basic financial assistance. Members also attended meetings and events by other associations to exchange ideas, maintain good rapport with community and show our appreciation for their support. • Board members attended community meetings such as instructional session at the Moffit Cancer Center for information sharing with our members. • Recognition and Award: The Association was recognized in a public ceremony by Commissioner Victor Crist and the Board of Co. Commissioners for “promoting the cultural heritage of the Haitian community and on behalf of those in need of Resources and services”. • Health Fair with USF Medical students. • As part of Community service, Board members volunteered to assist during the Ryan Neece Foundation Thanksgiving Dinner and food donation; Haitian families were selected to benefit from this event. Also HAFTB Board members provided a complete Thanksgiving meal to a family in the Community. • Throughout the year Board members attended monthly meetings at the Moffit Center for which the Association received a monetary award for perfect attendance. • Board members continued to tutor Haitian students to help improve their grade and facilitate their access to higher education with a few to securing a better future. • Useful information to the Community continued to be uploaded on our web site. • Board members assisted with translation of health documents from English to Creole and interpretation services. • In order to better serve the Community, HAFTB will include additional members to the Board. Elections will be held during the Saturday, February 18 Community meeting. All are invited. Suggestions from the community will be welcome as to what activities they would like to see in 2017. HAFTB Board: Proud and Happy to serve our Community.