The pounding rains that greeted guests as they arrived at the Heinz History Center Sept. 12 put things into perspective pretty quickly. It gave them a glimpse of the hurricane Haiti recently has weathered and yet another reason to support the work of Hopital Albert Schweitzer Haiti. In addition to helping the sick within a 600-mile radius, the hospital founded by Dr. Larimer and Gwen Grant Mellon in 1956 is doing something about hurricanes. With a major assist from Chris Snavely, founder of Snavely Forest Products, HAS is planting fast-growing trees to reforest Haiti, especially the hillside communities that are most susceptible to mud slides.

Longtime supporters and many new faces turned out for H'Art & Soul of Haiti, the annual benefit that offers an amazing selection of Haitian art for sale along with cocktails, a strolling dinner prepared by the Common Plea and an intimate performance by the Tom Tom Club that featured Talking Heads co-founders Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz (who grew up in Pittsburgh). Some 400 guests, including Friends of HAS president Lucy Rawson and her husband, Ian (the son of Gwen Mellon), traveled between the first floor and fifth via an elevator laden with desserts. The evening's honoree was Aaron Walton of presenting sponsor Highmark, who was cited for his dedication to the Pittsburgh and Haitian communities.