March 18, 2010
The First Annual Race for Haiti will kick off at 8 a.m. Saturday, April 24, where local racers will join participants from across the country in downtown Phoenix to raise funds for Haiti relief and rebuilding. Race participants can either run or walk the 5K- and one-mile races that begin at Wesley Bolin Plaza, 1700 W. Washington St.
Aside from running or walking in the race, people also can get involved by donating, volunteering or sponsoring a runner. Prizes will be awarded to the top finishers and top fundraisers. During and after the race, step teams, poets, speakers and deejays will take to the stage, providing entertainment throughout the morning.
The Race for Haiti is sponsored by the Race for Haiti Foundation and Phoenix City Councilman Michael Johnson. Proceeds from the Race for Haiti will benefit three organizations working directly on the ground in Haiti: the AMHE Foundation (focused on medical care), the Haitian American Alliance (focused on development) and the Mortel Foundation (focused on education). Links to these organizations can be found on the Race for Haiti Foundation Web site, raceforhaitifoundation.org.
“Participants, donors, sponsors, and volunteers will be able to see the direct impact of their efforts. The organizations we are benefiting were chosen specifically because of the nature of their current and future projects in Haiti, as well as their willingness to provide direct reporting back to us,” states Claudine Rigaud Dulaney, founder of the Race for Haiti Foundation.
Rigaud Dulaney has a personal stake in seeing the Race for Haiti succeed. She is a first-generation Haitian-American and felt helpless when the earthquake struck. Why a race? Rigaud Dulaney also is a runner, at one time running for Haiti in the Central American and Caribbean Games.
“Aside from raising funds, the goal of the Race for Haiti is to make people aware of the connections we all share,” said Dulaney. “The people of Haiti are mothers, brothers, sons, and aunts, etc. just like we all are. The Race for Haiti will become an annual event designed to raise awareness of the support that Haiti will need for years to come. The need doesn’t stop when the rubble is cleared.”
If you are interested in additional information or would like to know more about how to support the Race for Haiti, contact Claudine Rigaud Dulaney at info@raceforhaitifoundation.org. Participants can register for the race at active.com/running/phoenix-az/race-for-haiti-2010 or by clicking on the registration links on the Race for Haiti Foundation Web site at raceforhaitifoundation.org.
Media Contacts:
| Claudine Rigaud Dulaney Race for Haiti Foundation Adora Lewis Phoenix City Council District 8 |
480-313-2383 602-262-7493 |
