LAWRENCE — Local people plan to raise money this weekend to buy tents to help homeless Haitians weather the rainy season.
Sunday, a fashion show, a show by the Center for Performing Arts in Methuen, and an art show by the Haitian Artists Assembly of Massachusetts will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Bell Tower building, 60 Island St.
People are asked to make a donation of their choice to attend, said Edna Chery, a Haitian immigrant who owns Needlynn's Bridal and Tuxedo Shop in Methuen. Prom dresses, tuxedos, jewelry and cosmetics will be among the raffle prizes, said Chery, an event organizer.
A 7.0 magnitude earthquake devastated Haiti on Jan. 12.
"My direct family, they are OK because they can provide for themselves," Chery said. "Still, there's a lot of people with nothing."
Organizers are working with the Massachusetts Haitian-American Earthquake Task Force. Chery said she plans to travel to Haiti to help distribute aid.
For information, call Chery at 603-261-0529.
Memorial fundraiser has a sports theme
METHUEN — The family and friends of Brett Wiegref are holding the third annual Diamond Blackfan Anemia Fundraiser in the teen's memory this month.
Wiegref died from the disease last April 29. He was 18.
The fundraiser will be Saturday, March 27, at Lenzi's, 810 Merrimack Ave., (Route 110) Dracut. It starts at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets are $25 and proceeds will benefit the Diamond Blackfan Anemia Foundation.
Sports are the theme this year.
"All of the linens will be all of the New England team colors," said Corinna Grasso, Brett's mother. "Everybody is going to wear their sports jersey."
There will be a buffet dinner, penny social, gift basket raffle and 50/50 raffle. For tickets or to donate a raffle item, contact Grasso at grassoco@gmail.com or at 978-420-8180.
Deadline approaching for poetry contest
Time is running out to submit an entry for the Peace Poetry Contest and Reading taking place on May 7.
Deadline for students in kindergarten through grade 12, in both public and private schools, to submit poetry is March 15.
The contest is sponsored by Northern Essex Community College.
Chosen entries will be put in a book to be published this spring and entrants may be asked to take part in the poetry reading on May 7, from 6 to 9 p.m., in NECC's Technology Center in Haverhill.
To enter, mail to NECC Peace Poetry Contest, 100 Elliott St., Spurk 317H, Haverhill, MA 01830-2399; or e-mail peacepoetry@necc.mass.edu.
Information is available by contacting Dr. Paul G. Saint-Amand at 978-556-3307 or psaintamand@necc.mass.edu; or visit online at www.necc.mass.edu/service_learning/poetry.
