Crazy Horse, a popular eatery in Holland, Mich., is usually closed Sundays, but on Feb. 21, the restaurant opened its doors for a fundraiser buffet featuring Haitian food.
Heather Laninga, a manager at the restaurant, knew her boss would support the idea. Laninga and Mark Herman, owner of Crazy Horse, are both members of Watershed, part of Harderwyk Christian Reformed Ministries.
Laninga, who has been on six mission trips to the Dominican Republic and has connections with Haitian children, wanted to serve Haitian food.
Some 20 volunteers helped put on the buffet, which included griot (marinated, fried pork), Haitian pulled pork, fried plantains, red beans and rice, and some items that are on the restaurant’s regular menu.
The restaurant received “an overwhelming outpouring of people wanting to help,” Laninga said. Crazy Horse server Sarah Bolman was happy to donate her time. “Why not? We are all on board and can give back to Haiti,” she said.
During the three hours the restaurant was open that Sunday, 612 people came through the doors, donating $9,800. The money went to GLOW Ministries International. According to Amber Snyder of GLOW, the money is enough to send 280,000 meals to Haiti.
