Ontario Runners Step Up Big-time! [Posted on Feb 5, 2010]
Haiti – Training for Solidarity was an incredibly special day. Over 1200 runners from right across Ontario ran and raised over $80,000.00 for special projects in Haiti. The gang at Running Free and at Runners Den would like to thank all the participants, volunteers, corporate sponsors and media for achieving this impressive milestone. We are still in disbelief on how much was raised for an event that was conceived only a few weeks before it actually happened. We haven’t been more proud to be a part of the running community than we are today. The Runners and Walkers of Ontario will be directly responsible for creating new businesses, new jobs and providing education for countless children in Haiti. We will keep posting updates here at runningfree.com on the progress of the trade school being built, as well as the micro credit financing project.
To everyone who has contributed to this event in any way, we thank you so much. $80,000.00 will make a huge impact. We will continue to fundraise until all the funds necessary to have these projects run on their own are collected. Our goal is to create projects that do not require continuous funding. These two projects, once fully up and running, will operate on their own.
Gord Pauls of Runners Den will be attempting a triple Ironman in Penticton this year. Gords gaol is to raise $250,000.00 to bring micro credit loans to as many Haitians as possible. To learn more about this incredible challenge and to watch a short video detailing his mission visit www.gordpauls.com. For more information on micro credit financing visit www.empowerglobal.org
Here are exerts from a few of the many emails we received.
“I heard about this event this morning while watching the news. I will not be able to attend tomorrow. I am sending this email to say Thank you for your efforts. I am of Haitian descent and the devastation in my home country is overwhelming. Every little bit help. Thank you for keeping Haiti in your hearts”
“We’re so glad you’re back, well and thinking of how to help now. You, the team and most especially our brothers and sisters in Haiti are deeply loved. You are in my prayers and my dreams for the greatest good to come. I have faith that in our most despairing time’s spirit arises anew.”
“Thank you for putting on this great run! It was just lovely to come out and share some time with friends running in solidarity with the people of Haiti.”
“I’m so glad that this will go far for the programs in Haiti. It was a wonderful event. You pulled it off so well.”
“Congratulations on the success of the training for solidarity run!! That is amazing and I am proud that I was able to be a small part of such a wonderful event. Without your leadership and enthusiasm, it would never have been so successful.”
“Congrats on organizing such a great event, and doing it so quickly too!”
“what a great event to be a part of. Thank you. Running Free Rocks!”
“…and the people of Haiti need us now. It is wonderful you are there for them. I can’t be there on Saturday but thank you for doing this”
Above is the architect drawing of the trade school that we will begin building in the next few months. The bottom floor is an existing high school and the upper level is where adult Haitians will be trained in various professions or trades.
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The Team Running Free program is proudly supported by Running Free. Believe it, Achieve it!
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