The Church of St. Monica will hold its first Hope for Haiti gala on Friday, Oct. 26, from 6:30 to 11:30 p.m. at the Gwinnett Place Marriott.

The black-tie optional gala will feature the renowned Rupert’s Orchestra, an open bar, three-course dinner and silent auction.

Proceeds of the event will benefit the needs of those suffering in Hinche, Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. The fundraiser’s goal is to support medical missions, permanent dental/medical clinics, soup kitchens, water purification facilities, educational programs, and more as part of the Duluth-based parish’s ongoing twinning effort, which was begun in 1999.

“It is our hope that proceeds from this event will provide the necessary funds to continue much-needed existing projects as well as establish important new programs to help improve, if not save, the lives of so many Haitian families in need,” said Mark Coughlin, twinning project director for St. Monica’s and member of the Rupert’s Orchestra. “We look forward to bringing members of the Atlanta community together for a fun and memorable night to support this extremely important cause.”

Coughlin said 80 percent of the Haitian population lives in abject poverty and nearly 50 percent is chronically undernourished. The average healthy life expectancy at birth is only 43 years and of every 1,000 children born, 120 will die before reaching age 5. In the country’s rural interior, where the town of Hinche is located, the situation is even worse due to deforestation, erosion and lack of infrastructure that has crippled the agricultural economy.

“Haiti is just a short flight from Florida, so essentially we are helping our neighbors,” he added.

Tickets for the gala are $125 per person and limited sponsorship tables (signature – $15,000; diamond – $5,000; platinum – $2,500) are also available. Tickets may be purchased now through Oct. 19 by visiting the St. Monica Web site at www.saintmonicas.com and clicking on “Hope for Haiti.”