Spark...The ArtReach Auction

It was the spring of 2006. We had been in existence for almost a year and a half and HALO was housed in a tiny room of my apartment in Kansas City we were supporting a few orphanages at that time. My roommate Sunny and I held meetings at a garage sale table in our place. We asked almost every person with whom we came in contact to be part of HALO and soon we formed a powerful team.

All the while, artwork from the children in orphanages was delivered to our door every time we turned around and soon enough there wasn't enough space for it all. Spark. The Artreach Auction. Why don't we auction these pieces off? The stories of their lives are expressed in these pieces. We should share them. It will connect our donors. 

Timau Orphanage, Kenya

Our first Ambassador Board came together for nothing short of a miraculous feat in 6 weeks. Volunteers stayed up all night at our place making frames for pieces, putting together silent auction baskets, painting huge flowers that would decorate the room. Since we had a $0 budget, our community donated  the food, the cocktails, the printing donated, almost everything. 

HALO Volunteers Marshall, Sunny, and Monica at 2007 Artreach Auction

I remember walking on the auction stage that night with the first piece of HALO art. I knew it cost $12.50 to frame that piece. I said a little prayer - please, please let someone pay at least $15 just so we cover our expenses. It went for $250. I screamed. We raised $35,000. It was magical.

Fast forward to today. We are supporting 13 homes and programs around the world. We have received thousands of pieces from the kids over the years, expressing their lives, dreams, and realities. To date, The Artreach Auction has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars and been held in 3 cities for over 2000 guests to enjoy. Nationally known artists have joined by donating their work to our cause as well. There are hundreds of walls in homes around the U.S. adorned with HALO artwork and a story that goes with each. 

Vera Von Holdenberg, 2009 HALO Artreach Auction

At this event, our supporters get a peek into the lives of the children they support; what life is like in their shoes. We want our donors to be connected to their good works and to watch HALO kids, who have a better life because of them, grow. The 13th HALO Artreach Auction will be held May 6th, 2011. Join us for a magical evening. We are expecting to sell out. Click here to come take a peek.

Future-Focused in Uganda

“I am a good candidate for a scholarship because of my academic performance in past years and I have the potential. I value education so much, and, according to me, in this global village many successful people have toiled with education and have achieved the best in their lives. Therefore, I also want to work hard to become the best and fulfill my expectations in the future. Furthermore, my personal goal is to become a good example to the younger generation.” Joel Batte

Joel Batte, HALO Hero Scholarship Recipient

What does it mean to be future-focused? According to the book "The Time Paradox", for future-focused people, long-range goals fuel today's decisions and actions. This keeps them ambitiously working, saving, and planning for a better life. Self-discipline and the ability to delay gratification are key. Future-focused people are more successful professionally and academically.  You need safety and stability in the present to start thinking about the future. 

Diner time in Uganda

My recent trip to Uganda was all about our future with questions such as: How will we maintain our programs in five years? What is the most responsible way we could bring in the other100 identified children in need? Who will our children become beyond the home? 

The Makarere Home, Uganda

For HALO, first we need safety and stability. This means we must secure sustainable funding through monthly donations or multi-year commitments to our programs. Then we are able focus on our programs, which must be geared toward giving our kids the tools to become contributing members of their communities.

Joel Batte is an example of a future focused youth who grew up in the Makarere Home in Uganda and just received the HALO Hero Scholarship. We want to follow Joel's example and continue to plan for the future. That way we are able, planning, and expecting to improve the lives of more children in need. We can all learn from Joel. I know he will be a great example for my personal life...