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   What does it mean to give someone the gift of clean water? Come hear how a remarkable grassroots effort is helping families in southeast Haiti gain access to this life-essential resource.

   The public is invited to a Hands Helping Haiti Water Project Forum featuring Patrick Sloan on Sunday, September 13, from 11:00 a.m. to noon at Union Congregational Church, in Friendship Hall following the Sunday morning worship service.

   Sloan, a retired civil engineer, is the volunteer project coordinator and treasurer for Hands Helping Haiti. Drawing on his extensive experience with water, sanitation and environmental projects, he worked with the Haitian community to develop a program that puts families in charge of their own water safety.

   The project provides household water-filter systems along with hygiene education, empowering Haitian families to manage clean water themselves. More than 5,000 systems have been installed to date.

   Sloan has also been involved in international service through Engineers Without Borders and Rotary International’s WASH Club.

   The mission reflects the words of Matthew 25:35: “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink.”

   Join us for an inspiring look at how compassion, practical solutions and community partnership are making a difference through one family and one glass of clean water at a time. 

   Union Congregational Church, 401 Lake Avenue, Hackensack. Everyone is welcome.

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