Hearts 4 Haiti president Jim Lewis, a former minister, and medical clinic director Dr. Maudelin Mesadieu were both in attendance at the gala in Prospect on Friday, Sept. 8. The two met 20 years ago. Hearts 4 Haiti funded Mesadieu’s schooling through medical school. After graduating, Mesadieu decided to serve the community in the same village he grew up in northeast Haiti. Butler Eagle file photo

The 2nd annual Be the Difference Gala at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at Butler Country Club will support an effort that a local minister said he was called by God to perform.

Jim Lewis, cofounder of Hearts 4 Haiti, said all proceeds from the gala will benefit the nonprofit, which he cofounded with a young doctor determined to provide free medical care in his hometown of Mombin Crochu, Haiti.

The first gala, last year, raised more than $35,000, which allowed for a second story to be added to the clinic.

This year’s gala will feature keynote speaker Steve Gilliland, a bestselling author and member of the Speaker Hall of Fame.

Felizor Mesadieu, wife of the doctor who runs the clinic, also will speak and be available for discussion at the gala.

A video will be shown detailing Heart 4 Haiti’s 20-year history and the vision for the nonprofit’s future.

A cocktail hour will begin at 6 p.m., followed by dinner.

Raffle baskets also will be available for bidding.

Tickets are $125 per person. Registration is available at hearts4haiti.com; or checks made payable to Hearts 4 Haiti can be mailed to P.O. Box 902, Butler, PA 16002.

Hearts 4 Haiti president Jim Lewis, a former minister, shakes hands with Dr. Maudelin Mesadieu during the ceremonial laying of the first block of the medical clinic in Haiti. Submitted photo