Tallahassee Host 5K Walk for Haiti

Recycle4Haiti Foundation Inc. hosted its second 5K walk in Tallahassee at Railroad Square Art Park on Saturday July 11 for Earthquake victims in Haiti.

Haiti faced a devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake that killed thousands and left many others hurt and homeless in January 2010.

Registration was $20 and the event started at 8 a.m. with a 3.1 mile walk around Railroad Square Art Park.

After completing the walk, participants returned for information on improving the lives of the victims in Haiti.

At a primary school in Haiti, 219 students attend classes every day without clean water. Since October 2010, there were 8,813 deaths reported by U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. The implementation of basic water safety trainings in schools could help save lives.

The event aimed to raise money to help end hunger, to provide clean drinking water for children and to replenish access to education. All of the money raised from the 5K walks will help support nutritional, support medical and educational projects.

Carolyn Pompilus, Founder of the Recycle4Haiti foundation expressed the motive to raise the attentiveness about those affected by the disastrous Earthquake.

Pompilus was raised in Haiti and still has family there.

I started this nonprofit organization when I was 18 years old,” Pompilus said. “I was really affected by the earthquake and decided why not start a nonprofit to give back while I was here because I couldnt go to Haiti…I wouldn’t be able to function. I decided to collect recyclables; to have revenue and those proceeds will go to Haiti.

Nate Joseph, of Haitian descent and a volunteer from Georgia, said he wanted to help those in Haiti that is in need of a better life after the devastation of the Earthquake.

I hope that they understand that there are others out in the world trying to raise money to help them get on their feet. I feel like it was my responsibilityJoseph said.

Coca Cola, Pepsi, Tally Connections, City of Tallahassee Utilities, and Proof Brewery sponsored the 5K Earthquake walk. Proof Brewery donated proceeds from Saturdays sales to the cause.

Mitsie Jean, a Florida A&M University third-year criminal justice student from Palm Beach, Fla., is dignified to call herself a Haitian and support those in Haiti.

“It breaks my heart that my people must suffer from such tragedy, but we are strong and will stand till death,” said Jean.

The act of helping others can generate and improve sense of well-being.

For more information on how to donate visit http://www.recycle4haiti.org/home.html.