With the unparalleled devistation in Haiti, people have been coming up with creative means to raise money for relief efforts despite our dire economic times.  People like Charlie Simpson, 7, from Fulham, west London who set out to raise £500 ($812.25 US) by organizing a bike-a-thon has amassed over £110,000 ($162,450 US) and Lexi Caruthers, 10, from Encinitas, CA who hoped to raise $10 selling hand painted rocks that she gathered over the weekend raised $124.81.  In Sacramento, things are no different; nightclubs such as Punchline Comedy Club and Marilyn's on K have organized benefit shows, Sugar Plum Vegan Cafe has organized a bake sale and now The Coffee Garden is hosting an artwork raffle.

Over the years Michael Madsen, owner of The Coffee Garden in Curtis Park, has collected Haitian artwork which has adorned the walls of his cafe, and on February 28th he will be raffling off a few of the pieces from his collection in hopes of raising $1000 for Haitian relief efforts.  The pieces, all hand made, are a mark of man's ingenuity and resourcefulness in the face of dire economic circumstances.  Created using discarded 55-gallon oil drums the artists cut and flatten the drums into a 4' x 6' metal "canvas", after using chalk to sketch out their desired design the artists use a hammer and chisel to cut, shape and contour their work.

Raffle tickets are being sold by the staff of The Coffee Garden for $5 each (or $20 for five) and the drawing will be held on February 28th. To purchase tickets, visit The Coffee Garden at 2904 Franklin Blvd.