Comments (0)

By scott, December 6, 2011

By now you have hopefully heard about our holiday gift for Elias and his family. We want to take a moment to introduce Elias to you.

Elias is the father of three young men (Manuel, Honest and Obey) and a steadfast husband to his lovely bride, Servi. Together they live in the sugarcane fields outside of Chiredzi.

What’s more, his personal philosophy of unconditional love makes him an unequivocally remarkable person. One cannot help but laugh and feel joy when talking with Elias.

In this season of giving, we ask you to be strong, as Elias is, and to help us give him and his family a basic gift we all long for – a place called home.

This video perfectly encapsulates Elias. The emotive singing throughout? That’s Elias’ wife and three boys singing a rather catchy local tune.

Comments (0)

By scott, November 30, 2011

The holiday season is upon us, and this year we have only one item on our wish list: A completed house for Elias and his family.

Since last year’s campaign, you’ve helped us raise $18,665.84 for Elias and his family’s house and now, it’s nearly done. Your generosity has seen an overgrown plot transformed into what is a nearly livable home. Thank you!

Yet as the end of 2011 approaches, Elias’ house remains unfinished and we need to change that. A completed house is not only a home for Elias’ family, but is part of the long-term vision for our partners in Chiredzi. The house – which will be a duplex when completed – will serve as a hostel that Elias and his family will run to generate income and house volunteers serving at the local community center.

Our goal for December is $5,000, and this time around we want you to be empowered as the fundraiser. A $10 dollar donation from you may feel like a drop in the ocean, but $10 dollars from you and 10 of your friends and we’re starting to see waves.

Here’s how it works in just a few simple steps:

1. Go to EF’s StayClassy campaign fundraising page.
2. Click the big blue button on the right-hand side that says, “Create Your Fundraising Page”
3. FIll in a few blanks and presto, you’re an official Elias Fund fundraiser helping to finish Elias’ house! . . . Oh and don’t forget to talk with your friends and family about donating!

What’s more, raise $100 or more and you’ll get two ‘I Am Strong’ bracelets sent your way, one to wear and one to share. The top fundraiser as of January 1, 2012 will get a special highlight on the EF website. And quite specially, every individual participating in this campaign will get the chance to send a personalized note to Elias and his family.

In this season of giving, we are looking forward to and humbled by your willingness to join us in this opportunity to personally help Elias and his family finish their new home.

Comments (0)

By scott, November 1, 2011

He’s done it again. With his less-than conventional methods, Sean V. (a.k.a. Don Austere) has won the 2011 90octane Mustache Challenge and thereby contributed $500 to the Elias Fund. From both Don and all of us here at the Elias Fund, we extend a massive ‘thanks’ to everyone who took the time to vote for Don. True to form, Don has released a short Thank You & Outtakes video. Don’t miss it!