1st Ever "Half 4 Haiti" Benefit Run Update
Dear Friends,
Boy, that was hard. Really hard. I knew running a half marathon more than ten years (and a few lbs) after my last one was going to be challenging... but it proved to be even more difficult than I anticipated. Nevertheless, I made it. My time certainly did not earn me an honorary membership on the Kenyan Olympic team, but I did manage to cross the finish line under my own power. Then, just when my body was beginning to recover from the run, I got hit with a pretty nasty stomach flu. Needless to say, it's been a tough week and a half.
On the bright side, your generosity made our first ever "HALF 4 HAITI" benefit run well worth the effort, as we were able to generate more than $1,500 in pledges for our Children's Hope solidarity work in Haiti. Our next challenge, of course, is too collect all of the pledge money. Paying your pledge is easy. If you were kind enough to pledge, you can make your donation in two ways:
1) Old School - simply make out a check to "Children's Hope" and mail it to Children's Hope, 3025A Cambridge Rd., Cameron Park, CA 95682;
or
2) New School -- click on our the "Donate" button on the upper left corner of this page, then follow the directions to complete your donation.
By the way, if you meant to make a pledge but didn't quite get around to it... no worries, you can still donate! Every penny you contribute will go towards our Children's Hope solidarity work in Haiti. A few of our current projects are briefly described below.
Thanks again for your solidarity and generosity, we deeply appreciate it... many hands make the burden lighter.
Solidarity,
Paul B
MABE Orphanage, Port au Prince
These are the MABE kids. Many were taken in after the military coup and ensuing political crisis of 2004 left thousands of Haitian children, especially in the poorest neighborhoods, orphaned and on the streets. We've watched these children grow up over the years and they are always in our thoughts and prayers.
The Lamp for Haiti Clinic, Cite Soleil, Haiti
With your support, we also provide medicine and medical supplies to the Lamp for Haiti, an amazing medical clinic providing free care to the children of Cite Soleil, the poorest and most notorious slum in the poorest country in the western hemisphere.
Basketball is very popular in Haiti, but the children who live in Cite Soleil near the Lamp for Haiti clinic have no place to play. Once we raise sufficient funds, we hope to work with the Lamp staff to refurbish this basketball court in the neighborhood, which is currently unusable. Your support can help these children have what every child deserves, a place to play.
The Children of Cite Soleil and members of our Children's Hope Team (Summer 2012)
