COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. — A Rockford woman is asking for the community's help to support children in Haiti.
In August, Porta Schut is organizing a fundraiser in Comstock Park to raise money to give clothes to Haitian children.
Over eight years ago, Schut started a fundraiser after a mission trip and visit to a small orphanage. Now, this annual fundraiser has helped more than 100 Haitian children.
"So I continued to communicate with the owner of that orphanage, and him and I decided to partner together and create a nonprofit," said Schut.
In 2015, Schut took a mission trip to Haiti to help minister women. After a visit to a nearby Haitian orphanage, Schut knew she wanted to help support children in that community.
"The orphanage was called 'Kay Refij,' which is the Creole word for the 'House of Refuge.' A friend of mine and I started a nonprofit called Loving Kay Refij, and the nonprofit started around supporting this orphanage," said Schut.
Each year since 2016, Schut has raised almost 50,000 dollars through clothing fundraisers to support Haitian children. She said giving back is one of her greatest joys.
"It's really amazing that, like in America, kids get so excited about technology and toys and stuff like that. In Haiti, they are so grateful for the minimum, like the kids can get really excited about papers and paper and pen, and they can get really excited about a new outfit. As much as I am helping them, they are even a bigger blessing to me," said Schut.
Schut said because there's so much turmoil in Haiti right now, she's not able to physically go there this year.
"We just love the people there and it's very hard to maintain a relationship without that personal connection," said Schut.
However, that's not stopping her from doing what she can to help with a clothing fundraiser.
"We are going to be selling the clothes for $10 a bag. Then we are also going to be selling winter coats and snowsuits for $1 each and then the shoes. we're going to give away shoes for free."
The fundraiser will be held on August 16 and 17 in Comstock Park.