“We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean but the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.”
Mother Theresa
How this “Running Series” began you ask? Simply put, a very strong willed young-at-heart guy with a contagious smile strolling along an old dirt road met another guy and…ta da!
The goal: To create a local event that is fun and challenging for all types of people no matter your background while at the same time supporting a great cause. It’s all about fun and perserverence when you find yourself in mud or muck after a few hours of slugging through some very difficult terrain!
Our cause: Sarah Wallace, a young and determined young lady from the Devon area ventured to Haiti in 2001. Haiti is one of the most impoverished countries in the Western Hemisphere, and Sarah was inspired to do something to help.
Years later, after receiving an education in midwifery, Sarah moved to Jacmel, Haiti, and founded the Canadian registered charity, “Olive Tree Projects,” with the goal of keeping children with their families and out of orphanages. The organization has now grown to include a Family Support Program and Recycling Center.
Suffice it to say, what Sarah has created in Haiti is nothing short of astounding and the pinnacle of selflessness in a part of the world where many of the residents are in dire need of assistance. In fact, CNN cited Sarah as one of the most intriguing people in 2010.
Our mission with these races is to challenge you. This is a challenge you choose to participate in. However, there are Haitians faced with unimaginable challenges every day – challenges they did not choose. That’s why we run. We run these races so that Olive Tree Projects can run it’s programs in Haiti – providing life-saving relief and hope to families in Jacmel. All net proceeds from this event go to Olive Tree Projects and no salaries are paid to anyone involved in this event.
We also encourage runners to raise additional funds and awareness for Olive Tree Projects, however, simply registering for an event is all you have to do to contribute. So, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for joining us on this journey and we wish you all the best in yours!
