Supporters of Montaña de Luz celebrated the organization’s 25th anniversary during a record-setting Fiesta gala in April.
Attendance topped 350 guests, a sharp increase from the previous year’s mark of 245. The event raised more than $165,000 to support the MdL children’s home and community outreach programs in rural Honduras. Last year’s event raised more than $125,000. MdL empowers children and families affected by HIV/AIDS — the only one of 100 children’s homes in Honduras to specialize in HIV care.
For the first time, the event featured an appearance by a young person who grew up at the children’s home. The speaker’s identity is being protected due to ongoing stigma and discrimination in Honduras against people living with HIV. The speaker arrived at MdL at the age of 18 months, thrived at the home, graduated from college and became fluent in English. The speaker has advocated for HIV awareness across Honduras and at international events. The speaker received two hearty standing ovations.
MdL Executive Director Anna Jackson thanked the crowd for their steadfast love and financial support for the children, staff and families in Honduras. She also announced that the organization has dedicated its Honduras classroom as the Skeet Ayscue Center for Learning, to honor his 20 years of service to MdL. Ayscue is the current president of the MdL board of directors.
Earlier in the evening, Jackson received a commendation for Montaña de Luz from the Ohio General Assembly sponsored by state Rep. Bob Peterson of Sabina. Peterson and his wife, Lisa, spent a week at the MdL children’s home in Honduras during an immersion trip in 2018.
The commendation reads in part: “All those associated with Montaña de Luz, including its executive director, Anna Jackson, its hard-working staff and the more than 3,000 volunteers who have visited its operation through immersive trips are to be commended for their foresight, dedication and selfless donations of time, energy, and ability far beyond what was required or expected. These fine people have earned the respect and admiration of many and have set an example of concerned and responsible citizenry worthy of emulation.”
The event featured an extensive silent auction, dinner, music and video updates from Honduras on MdL’s key focus areas. Jackson thanked Fiesta Committee members for their tireless work, dedication and creativity. Committee members are Stephanie Brett, Laura DiFilippo, Angela Jackson, Cathy Morrison, Lynne Roloson, Diana Short and Shannon Smedley.
Volunteer photographer Jeff Soiu captured the energy and spirit of Fiesta in the gallery below. Click a photo to enlarge it. Once you enlarge a photo, you can advance through the slideshow by clicking the small arrow on the right side.
