In 2011, the Penn State Project Haiti chapter approached Temple University to start an organization that would work to fund a new orphanage in Petite Riviere de Artibonite, Haiti.
Project Haiti Temple University was created and began holding movie nights, bake sales, and clothing drives to raise money for the Saint Francis Xavier Orphanage.
In 2012, Meredith McDevitt began the fundraiser “Artists for Haiti” in hopes that the Tyler community would come together to raise funds for the orphanage.
“I have always thought that one of the greatest ways to give back to those in need is to use your own personal talents in a collaborative effort,” McDevitt said. “This fundraiser enables the artists of Tyler to create or donate their work for charity.”
Kayla Cropper 