TAKE ON THE CHALLENGE 2021
A LETTER FROM
VIVIEN LUK,
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF WORK DEAR RUN ACROSS MAY FAMILY, It’s fun to reflect on a month-long journey. There’s the start. As Ian mentioned in his kick off video, beginnings are all sweet hope and optimism without the bitter after taste of struggle and set back. There is so much anticipation as you prepare for the start line, the launch announcement, and the first fundraising ask. And then you get started, and it is just a grind, but that’s actually the part I love the most. I love the consistency and the discipline, the feeling of knowing that you’ve prepared enough to get it done, the self discovery, and the strength you build during the process that you will own forever. I love seeing you guys and this community cheer each other on, build together, and move together. I even love the self doubt that comes with it because it gives us the opportunity to push boundaries and that’s what we do here. As you spent your month pushing boundaries, you never let our purpose slip away. You made sure it’s front and center, that it keeps you motivated, grounded, and humbled. The cool thing about a month-long journey is that we got to spend the month getting to know each other, and you, our friend, is stronger than you know and more giving than you’d take credit for. We’re thankful for you. Because of you, this community and our work grows a little bit more this year. We started our work in 2010 serving just 1 kid. Today, our community is more than 500 family members strong. Thanks to your efforts this month,
this number will continue to grow. And it doesn’t just grow in sheer volume, but it grows in impact as family members graduate out of poverty for good, family members who were born into generational poverty, some in the largest open landfill in Haiti, and in situations that no one should have to be born into. Thanks to you, where our families were born no longer has to dictate their paths forward in life. We also want to once again share our gratitude for our matching donors including Lavergne Group (our recycling partner in Haiti), Hayden Fulstone, the Bhalla Family, Daren D’Ippolito, and an anonymous donor. Together, they helped us launch our biggest match to date. Thanks for conquering the Run Across May with us. While it’s the end of this journey, there’s so much to build on. So let’s keep building together. Watch out for more from us, including pre-registration for 2022. For our families…, Viv Vivien Luk Executive Director WORK
COMMUNITY
POWER OF COMMUNITY The Run Across May is a showcase of the power of community. Throughout the month, you committed to tackling a challenge in support of our families’ paths to financial independence. When we demand and work for long-lasting change, we ignite the momentum needed to get the job done. INSTAGRAM.COM/DOWORKORG
JONATHAN LYONS, RUNNING: I always find it rewarding to combine my passion for running with helping others. I look forward to connecting with our friends in Haiti while doing my #RunAcrossMay
MELISSA KORC, A MIXTURE OF MILEAGE BASED ACTIVITIES: I decided to #takeonthechallenge to be a supportive friend of Angel who did this last year and created the Keep It Run 100 team this year. I wanted to commit myself to do something new and support a good cause in WORK.
PORTIA EDMONSON, A MIXTURE OF MILEAGE BASED ACTIVITIES: KeepItRun100 and what the team brings to the community!
MARTIN BLACK, CYCLING: The organization is run by a professional I admire for her smarts and mission-driven work. The Duquesne alum I work with as a contact exemplifies the spirit of the University’s mission: to work in support of vulnerable communities. This is the transformative core of the Duquesne (and the Spiritan) Mission that can easily get lost in the day-to-day running of a 10,000 student institution. As Bill Easterly attempted to make plain 15 years ago, “True victories against poverty are most often achieved through indigenous, ground-level planning.” Social innovation: leverage the power of developed countries’ consumption engines. Harvest recyclable plastics from landfill? Sure. But create on-site jobs by reworking the plastics into a fine mesh that can be sourced to factories to produce high-end consumer goods? Genius!
IGNACIO ROSAS, RUNNING: I'm excited to join the Run Across May presented by WORK for the second time and 3rd time running 200 miles to bring awareness to the beautiful country of Haiti. Being a part of this organization, this cause, our mission to accompany our family in Haiti to a more equitable way of life. It has brought purpose and meaning to my life. I'm proud to be a part of this team to take on the challenge of 200 in May.
WHAT IS YOUR WHY? #TAKEONTHECHALLENGE
DANIEL KNOPP, RUNNING: I believe in the work being done, and want to support it and stay connected.
DANI MARSH, RUNNING: I’ve found an event, and an organization, that allows me to use my love of running to make a difference in the world. How could I not?!
SAM RIDENOUR, A MIXTURE OF MILEAGE BASED ACTIVITIES: Having the opportunity to share something like the Run Across May with my wife Kathy is something that does not come up often. I am running 200 miles, and she is walking 50 miles, the equivalent of 200 laps on a track. Being able to stretch ourselves in order to draw attention to our friends and help raise money to create dignified employment opportunities for them is a small thing we get to do.
DONOVAN QUERUBIN, RUNNING: I decided to join Run Across May again because I wanted to challenge myself and Social Hour Run Club from a miles and fundraising perspective. It may be daunting doing it by yourself, so having a team aspect makes it a more collaborative effort.
JONATHAN GILCREST, RUNNING: What you all at WORK do for people in Haiti. Fast forward to this year, Daniel was like… “They are doing 200 miles across May this year. We should do it.” And I was immediately in…I wanted to be able to prove to myself that I could train and run this many miles, and I also love the opportunity to raise money for these families in Haiti. This feels like it’s just the beginning of long distance running for me. I already feel a change in my body and mind when I’m out there doing 13 miles. I love walking out to the street and running in a random direction through Los Angeles and all the surprises, beauty and weirdness I find. After this is over I hope to start running marathons and even do Run Across Haiti the next time it happens!
JANINE SCHULIGER, 200 LENGTHS OF B U T T E R F LY S T R O K E : I was asked why I was participating in the #200together event this month. That is actually a question that had me thinking. At first, I felt I wanted a challenge because after a year of dealing with breast cancer and COVID, I missed competing and goal setting. But the longer I thought about it, I realized that wasn’t the primary reason. The real reason is much deeper. The WORK organization was founded over ten years ago to help a young man from Haiti. That man became the father of my grandson, and that bond will forever be. I have watched this organization build from helping a single person, to helping his family, to helping his community, to helping the neighboring community after community. Their mission for empowering families through education, health care, job training and sustainable employment is not only powerful and ambitious, it is highly successful. WORK is not going away. They are not stopping what they started. And because I believe that their purpose is truly the only way to accompany the Haitian people out of poverty, I wanted to do my part in supporting that. My goal of swimming 200 lengths of butterfly this month is proving to be a little more aggressive than I thought. My plan has to change and daily adjustments must be made for me to reach my goal. Sacrificing. Being uncomfortable. The people of Haiti do that every day. I can do it for one month.
SHAWN CHESTNUT, A MIXTURE OF MILEAGE BASED ACTIVITIES: I decide to #takeonthechallenge because it is for a great case and my friend (Angel) inspired me to become a part of it!
DEAN MILLER, A MIXTURE OF MILEAGE BASED ACTIVITIES: I believe in Work’s mission to end poverty through supporting development of good, dignified jobs for the people of Haiti. I’ve seen the benefits of Work’s efforts in providing support for the most basic of needs; food, shelter, medical assistance and schooling - and have been inspired by the impact their efforts have made in people’s lives. If only in a small way - I want to contribute to the great work being done here!
LAURENCE BIEN-AIME, RUNNING: I take part in the “Run Across May” challenge launched by Run Across Haiti to contribute to the great work they do in my beautiful country (Haiti).
JORDAN BROWN, A MIXTURE OF MILEAGE BASED ACTIVITIES: I follow a lot of amazing women and I see the hashtag all the time for girl gang crazy, I wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself!
PAIGE METZHEISER, A MIXTURE OF MILEAGE BASED ACTIVITIES: I’ve been following WORK for more than two years now and have admired their dedication and adaptability every step of the way. Excited to finally play a part!
DANIEL MARRETT, RUNNING: To help our amazing partner WORK in their vision to end poverty!
JERRY FRANCOIS, RUNNING: I did it last year I wanna do it again.
ALEX CARROLL , A MIXTURE OF MILEAGE BASED ACTIVITIES: Last year I was unable to run my miles due to an injury. Despite that, it felt good to commit to 200 minutes of planks & have a goal to focus on. I’ve still not been able to run much but I’m hoping that I’ll be able to run half of my miles in May & I look forward to having another goal to complete this year. PLUS there’s no way I would miss an opportunity to let our families in Haiti know that I am still here sending all of my love & support to them. The WORK community is my family & I would never miss a family event.
BRANDON GILLINGHAM, RUNNING: The sport of Running has brought me to places that I never would have believed as a kid. I have been able to network with people from all over the world because of it. At the time when I began running as a kid all it was was a sport and a way to stay fit. But as I grew as a professional, I learned it’s a very important tool to motivate and support one another. Through thick and thin. I love helping others. There aren’t enough hours in the day or a lifetime to save the world but every little bit helps in big ways. The mission behind Work shows this.
DANIELLE IANNETTA, A MIXTURE OF MILEAGE BASED ACTIVITIES: This is my second RAM and I am excited to join the WORK team and the Philly Runs Across May squad for another month of miles! I am so inspired by WORK’s dedication to its families in Haiti and making a true impact. There’s no better way to be held accountable than a run challenge devoted to creating more opportunities and a better world. Let’s go!!!!
BRITTANY LANE, A MIXTURE OF MILEAGE BASED ACTIVITIES: In 2018, I had the great privilege of participating in the Run Across Haiti to raise funds to accompany families out of poverty, while having an adventure of a lifetime. In 2020, the pandemic pushed WORK to take the Run online in order to continue the critical work the sport has helped accomplish over the years. More than 200 participants took on the virtual run challenge, Run Across May, and I thought that was pretty darn inspiring. This year, I’m in.
JESSICA WAYASHE, RUNNING: I’ve decided to #takeonthechallenge to let our families in Haiti know that despite our inability to make it there physically to run, we are still with them in spirit and committed to supporting them from afar.
VALERIE LATTANZA, A MIXTURE OF MILEAGE BASED ACTIVITIES: I think you do great work and has impacted my daughter so much. Has been a rough couple years for Haiti, the families and want to help.
CLAYTON ROSA, RUNNING: To continue to do my part to bring visibility and awareness to everything WORK leads in Haiti.
JOSH LINE, A MIXTURE OF MILEAGE BASED ACTIVITIES: To support my cousin Danielle Marsh who is participating.
ELLEN FREEBORN, RUNNING: I love running and I love Work’s mission in Haiti. I wasn’t able to Run Across Haiti in 2019 as planned, so I’m excited to take on this running challenge for the same cause now. :)
MARIAH DYSON, RUNNING: I’m taking on this challenge for the month of May to maintain motivation through this global pandemic. As hard as it’s gotten for me in LA, I’m always aware of how many resources I have access to that I can in turn share with so many others in need!
JACQUELINE KEHOE, RUNNING: I am running across May to honor our families in Haiti and to reminisce on my run across Haiti three years ago!
TED GAMBLE, RUNNING: I love to run, and running for a cause makes running even better!
MAX PELUSO, A MIXTURE OF MILEAGE BASED ACTIVITIES: I want to support WORK’s mission to escort people out of poverty.
CARMEN WILSON, A MIXTURE OF MILEAGE BASED ACTIVITIES: Something beautiful happens when you realize your running community is more than just that, they’re family. And when your family Runs Across Haiti year after year, it’s only a matter of time that their positivity and love sparks that motivation in you. The opportunity to help share the smiles with others. Running has provided just that, it’s bigger than us. It’s what bonds us; humanizes us. It’s that hug, that high five, that support. And in turn, I am lucky to be able to offer support to the families in Haiti.
FRANCISCO BALAGTAS, RUNNING: Running has always been an outlet for me to help myself physically and mentally. And if I can use Running to help others I have to jump on the opportunity!
SARAH MAINS, CYCLING: I’m very excited to cycle 200 across May in support of WORK’s vision. I’m proud to contribute to the positive change they have in their community.
JACQUELYN MURRER, RUNNING: This is a great organization and I am proud to be a part of it. :)
SHANDA BARROW, RUNNING: The enjoyment of running with friends for a good cause while raising money for Haiti!
JENY MENDEZ, RUNNING: Together we are stronger.
NIKKI BELL, A MIXTURE OF MILEAGE BASED ACTIVITIES: I’ve donated to friends who did the Run Across Haiti in 2019, crewed for a friend who did the Run Across May during the pandemic and had signed up to try to volunteer for 2021 before it was cancelled. Doing the 200 miles myself seemed like a good next step. I love what the organization is about and all the jobs it’s creating, while being environmentally conscious! I’m excited to be a part of it on a deeper level!
SHERLYN BLADES, RUNNING: Being a runner is not only about running. It’s about community. It’s about leaning on each other for help, standing by one another and encouraging each other to reach our goals. I feel like an important part of being a member of such an uplifting community; is being able to help other communities in need. When I learned about WORK and their mission to help lift families in Haiti out of poverty. I decided that the Run Across May would be the perfect opportunity for me to take on the challenge and help WORK continue their mission of uplifting so many families in Haiti.
PAIGE MARZINZIK, CYCLING: Over the past 6 years I have been fortunate enough to watch the growth and impact WORK has on their families in Haiti. From a small team with big goals, they now are heavily staffed by and driven by those families in Haiti. This is my why, seeing the change and investment into the community over time to drive long term, sustainable change. I’m grateful to be a part of the Run Across Haiti/May family and to be joining all of you this month.
MONIQUE GOVAN, A MIXTURE OF MILEAGE BASED ACTIVITIES: To help make the world a better place! We have to be the change we want to see!
RYAN CUMMINGS, A MIXTURE OF MILEAGE BASED ACTIVITIES: Going for the repeat.
LAUREN DIXON, A MIXTURE OF MILEAGE BASED ACTIVITIES: I like running!
LAURENCE BIEN-AIME, RUNNING: I take part in the “Run Across May” challenge launched by Run Across Haiti to contribute to the Ben Erdeljac, running: I decided to join RAM to show my support for our families in Haiti. Having the goal of running 200 miles in May is a representation of the “WORK” being done in Haiti to support our families in their missions to create better lives for themselves. great work they do in my beautiful country (Haiti).
JUSTIN SMALLS, A MIXTURE OF MILEAGE BASED ACTIVITIES: I think that passion is the secret ingredient that drives hard work and excellence. My passion is to serve the public: to be in the arena of public policy, to have the opportunity to solve problems for our country, to be in a position where I can make a difference.
SARAH MCCANN, A MIXTURE OF MILEAGE BASED ACTIVITIES: To support efforts in Haiti and support my family, Keep it Run Hundred.
JUSTIN ROWE, A MIXTURE OF MILEAGE BASED ACTIVITIES: A great cause with a great team/people and good reason to push myself and see what I’m capable of. It’s a no brainer really!
CAROL SMALLS, A MIXTURE OF MILEAGE BASED ACTIVITIES: I decided to take this challenge to support the cause, inspire others, and promote a healthy lifestyle.
RAFAEL LUNA, RUNNING: Decided to take this challenge to help those in need in Haiti, Last year my son Rafael Luna Figueroa was due to visit and run 200 miles in Haiti, however do to the pandemic his RAH2020 team were unable to visit and had to run in their hometown. This is the reason I decided to join RAM2021!
ANNE PONTANI, A MIXTURE OF MILEAGE BASED ACTIVITIES: Invited by a friend for a worthy cause.
MELINA CRUZ, RUNNING: I love giving myself time in the morning to run, why not run for a great cause all together? Excited to join you all!
LIONEL BRODIE, RUNNING: Great cause being undertaken by great people.....I’m new to the mission of Run Across Haiti and Run Across May, but I’m a quick learner. I try to be anti-cliche, but I am a FIRM believer in teaching people to “fish”. Yes, you can feed someone for a day by giving her/ him fish. But if you teach her/him how to fish, he/ she can eat for life. And almost as importantly, teach the next person, friend, family member... generation. I’m blessed and humbled to be both a student and hopefully teacher.
HANNA JAMES, A MIXTURE OF MILEAGE BASED ACTIVITIES: I signed up because I love running and biking and I also love the country of Haiti. I am so excited to be joining this organization and challenge myself to raise money for the people in Haiti and create opportunities for them to flourish and be successful!
KAREN SHAFFER, A MIXTURE OF MILEAGE BASED ACTIVITIES: My cousin Jayson is Hatian.
TY CROYLE, A MIXTURE OF MILEAGE BASED ACTIVITIES: To help raise money to send kids in Haiti to school.
JUSTIN WILLIAMS, A MIXTURE OF MILEAGE BASED ACTIVITIES: I became aware of DoWork from Run Across Haiti several years ago with several of my good friends participating and it’s been in the back of my mind since then. Most of the time I run for my own goals and peace of mind but I’m happy to finally get the chance to run for something bigger than myself by helping create job opportunities so they can give peace of mind to themselves and their families.
AUBREY WISEMAN, A MIXTURE OF MILEAGE BASED ACTIVITIES: I decided to start sharing, donating, and participating in the Benefit Run for North Allegheny School District. I did this because I believe that education is a right that all children should have. Education is the building block for the rest of your career. This is the first step in leading Sanjina on a path towards a great life.
BERVEN MASHONGANYIKA, A MIXTURE OF MILEAGE BASED ACTIVITIES: Just to help out people in need.
ALEX ROTH, RUNNING: It's a great organization and a great mission. I never turn down a challenge to better myself and others.
DJ AMICK, A MIXTURE OF MILEAGE BASED ACTIVITIES: A respected buddy of mine ran across Haiti a few years back, he was one of my inspirations to seriously get into running. I like the cause, and I want to support it.
VICTOR MARTIN, A MIXTURE OF MILEAGE BASED ACTIVITIES: I believe in my heart that if an individual is capable of helping another it is their duty to do so. So if I can help others by simply doing something that I would most likely be doing anyway why not join.
CHRISTIAN GABARDA, A MIXTURE OF MILEAGE BASED ACTIVITIES: I decided to take on the challenge again this year, because the impact that we are doing for the people of Haiti is very important and I am looking forward to the challenge.
CHRIS MURRER, RUNNING: Because I love y’all more than Kanye love Kanye.
MICHELLE GITTENS, A MIXTURE OF MILEAGE BASED ACTIVITIES: I value the cause, I’m capable, I love to support my community.
KATHERINE BLAUGRUND, A MIXTURE OF MILEAGE BASED ACTIVITIES: We decided to #takeonthechallenge because Work is an organization that we have been involved in for 10 years now and we hold its values, its mission, and the people it serves near and dear to our hearts.
DUY NGO, CYCLING: To support the amazing work done by WORK.
IMPACT
202 PARTICIPANTS
$
163,344 RAISED
STRENGTH IN NUMBERS
27 TEAMS
1,256 DONORS
21,777 TOTAL MILES TRAVELED
STRENGTH IN NUMBERS BC
WA
ON
OR
NY CA
CO
IN
MA
PA
OH
NJ DC
VA
MD
NC SC MN
US & CANADA
MENELAS, HAITI
200 SQUATS • 200 MINUTES OF EXERCISE A WEEK LEARN 200 NEW KREYOL VOCABULARY WORDS OR PHRASES • 200 MINUTES OF RUNNING A WEEK 200 JUMPING JACKS • 200 STANDING DEADLIFTS A WEEK 200 RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS • DELIVER 200 MEALS WRITE 200 LETTERS • PLAY 200 KEYS ON THE PIANO 200 MINUTES OF 200 LENGTHS 200 ACTIVITIES BOXING A WEEK OF BUTTERFLY 200 S P R I N T S S T R O K E I N T H E YA R D TAKE 200 STEPS 200 MILES OF CYCLING • 200 MINUTES OF WALKING COLLECT AND RECYCLE 200 PLASTIC BOTTLES 200 MINUTES OF JUMPING ROPE • 200 MATH PROBLEMS GIVE 200 COMPLIMENTS • 200 MINUTES OF YOGA 200 PAGES A WEEK OF READING ABOUT HAITI BAKE 200 COOKIES Not only did we cover 21,777 miles as a team, we completed many activities throughout the month. Your creativity inspired us!
POU AYITI
HAITI IMPACT ON
Last year, our inaugural Run Across May campaign enabled us to launch a successful response to COVID-19 in Haiti, which allowed our families to continue to make progress towards financial independence. A class of our family members even graduated out of poverty for good after years of consistent and hard work. This year, the funds you raised will help us to continue essential services for our families. They address the following 4 pillars of work: HEALTH: open access to medical care for 100% of our families so illnesses no longer stand in the way of progress. We cover the full spectrum of needs, from preventative care to emergency support through partnerships with local medical institutions, case management support, educational workshops on key topics such as patient rights and advocacy, common illnesses, and more, and through at-home medical provisions. EDUCATION: education for 100% of our children to which we believe should be a basic human right. This year, we launched our new Higher Education Program to support our first generation college students and we already have our incoming class of college students ready to begin their new adventures this Fall.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT: job training and placements for our adult family members to ensure long-term financial independence. For our families, financial independence means making a living wage, a minimum of $250USD a month compared to $30.50USD a month at the start of our relationship. We derived the living wage amount with our families by working on their household budgets together. This amount ensures that they can take care of essential needs for their families. FAMILY & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: household and community-based services such as home repairs and home loans, community dialogues and safety. And when essential needs are met, families contribute to building their communities to their own vision.
While you were tackling your challenge, we met with the next cohort of about 150 family members who are ready to work with us. They’re from Truitier, the landfill community we currently work in, and neighboring landfill communities. Some of them are informal waste collectors who collect and sell plastic waste for a living and need our accompaniment to a path to a living wage through our partnership with our sister company First Mile. We can’t wait to introduce them to you. When we can travel to Haiti again, we invite you to join us on a trip or on the Run Across Haiti® to meet our families and experience our work firsthand. Marc Noel, Benoit, Escane, Christie, Nicole, Josette, Marckenley, and everyone you heard from in May will be excited to greet you and welcome you to our community. We think you’ll enjoy it!
A LETTER FROM
MARCKENLEY ADME JUMPING JACKS
DEAR WORK’S FAMILY MEMBERS, DEAR CREW MEMBERS AND DEAR RUNNERS, In the name of WORK, I say to you good afternoon. I am Marckenley Adme, I am 16 years old and I am a beneficiary of all the assistance that WORK offers. If you pay attention to my greeting, you can find out that I say the runners at the end of the greeting. You know why? It’s because generally the most important things are always said at the end for people to catch it better. At WORK, a runner means for us a person who invests in their energy, their time and their abilities to help. To help people in need, to help people in poverty and in bad life situations. To talk more about the runners, I have to describe WORK for you. WORK is an NGO in Haiti, in particular Menelas and Tuitier which helps families who are in bad life situations and in poverty. WORK helps provide them better education by providing scholarships and assistance to better understand the school subjects and life. WORK provides better health, better residence and helps them find better jobs and puts many programs in place for each WORK’s beneficiaries. DO YOU SEE HOW WORK IS SO IMPORTANT AND USEFUL TO US IN HAITI? It’s like that the runners are, because without their investment, without their energy, WORK won’t be able to achieve their objectives, their goals. Today in the name of all WORK’s beneficiaries I want to say to you all that you also are important for us, that you have as much value for us and we are aware of your willings and all the sacrifices you make to help us. And we want you to be aware that we are so grateful for you and we have so much love for you. Thank you for supporting us and you are a big part of our life. Thank you!
VISIT WWW.DOWORK.ORG/RUNACROSSMAY TO WATCH MARCKENLEY READ HIS LETTER!
LETTERS FROM
OUR FAMILIES MARC NOEL ADME, JUMP ROPE: Hello to everyone who will watch this video. As you know my English is not perfect yet, except that I continue talking about the Run in creole. Thank you. It’s been a while since we had the RAH that used to happen here Haïti, but because of the current situation the world is in right now we understand having in the U.S. The run will always be a preoccupation for us here in Haiti as we are thinking about all the positive impact it’s having on us here in Haiti. One of the first impacts we can talk about is when we are having about 40 people coming from the U.S. or any other country to stay in our hotel which is a good profit for their business. When they are staying in our Hotels , they are eating our food which is another profit for us. When they are here, they employ a lot of people, as drivers, translators, or any other type of work which helps the country. One of the other things that I can list here as another to me and my family is that my wife used to cook for the runners but she cannot do it anymore. We can see this as negative but it was positive before. So that makes me really happy to see despite the current situation that our countries are in, that you don’t give up on the run,
that you continue to do it in your country but still for Haiti. I am not a good runner, but in order to support what you are doing, since I was a kid I used to jump ropes, so I will do 200 jumps ropes for you. We cannot forget about one the biggest impact the run is having in Haiti but mostly our community menelas where our work is located. I am living in Menelas. I can see how the organization utilizes the run to raise money to support our family. This support allows the youth of the community not to be involved in any bad activities, because they have the hope of something better for themselves and their families. Hope to go to school, have a business or to have a job. And we feel without all of that they will be involved in gangs activities. For this reason, I can say the support that the organization is giving allows the community to stay alive, us to stay alive and it’s because of everything that you are doing from running or any other activities you are doing that WORK can support us here in Haiti. The one thing that I have left to say to you guys is thank you, and I want to assure you that your work will not be in vain. When you help someone they succeed you should see it as your success too. Thank you for doing this in our community. For Haïti.
NICOLE FILS-AIME, 200 STEPS: Hello everyone I am Nurse Nicole and I am very happy to talk to you about the Run Across May. My words for you is, we have done, we are doing it and we will continue to do it. The work that you are doing is really important, because a lot of families in Haiti depend on it. I hope you can reach your fundraising goal so that we can continue supporting our families as the world is watching you. Thank you.
LETTERS FROM
OUR FAMILIES JOSETTE JEUNE, JUMPING JACKS: Good morning or good evening for when you will be watching this video. What I can say right now coming from my heart is to tell the runners to keep it up, don’t quit and get to the finish line! Whenever I can participate in the Run or hear about the work that you are doing, I feel really excited. It makes me think about all of the work that I used to do during the Run Across Haiti as a crew member, because I always put everything that I got into it. I know I can’t be physically part of it this year but with the help of God we will be able to do it again. It means a lot to us. The Run means a lot to me and my family because it allows me to have more opportunities to attend to my family’s needs. So thank you a lot, just an infinity of thank yous! You are in my heart and I’m thinking of you the same way you are thinking about me. Keep it up!
PIERROT GIORDANI, JUMP ROPE: Hello everyone! I am Giordani. I am really happy this afternoon to be with you. To say hi to everyone who is part of the run. To all my fans, and tell them I will never forget about them. Because you always make me happy. For the past 3 years I have been supporting you as a crew member. You always make me happy. And I am never sad for a second. This really motivates me. I am happy from the morning till the afternoon. I am just happy. Everytime I see a player coming to my checkpoint. When I say player I mean the runners. To applaud or cheer them because it’s already a win. To me each runner that came to my checkpoint is a winner. And I am always proud whenever I offer them something, they are always willing to take it. Even if sometimes what I am giving them it’s not what they may have asked for, they always try to help me understand what it is that they actually do need. This just shows how much they care about me. And now I am sad to not be able to participate in the Run for the past 2 years physically but spiritually I am with you. I know you always do amazing work. And that you will always continue to do so. With God nothing is impossible. It’s a pleasure for me to have this opportunity to talk to you, to thank you and let you know how much I am thinking about you, so good work. Goodbye and pou Ayiti.
REST DAY EVE
REST DAY EVE
MENELAS Some regard Rest Day Eve as an annual holiday, it’s our break before our final 80-miles of the Run Across Haiti®. We take this opportunity to rest and recover, to take in the beautiful coast of Haiti, and to spend time visiting with our families. Refueled and reignited with purpose, we set forth to hit the finish line from here. In honor of Rest Day Eve this year, our families got together to celebrate our community, the community they’ve built with each other and the community that extends globally to our entire RAM Family - You. They wanted you to know that there’s already so much we’ve accomplished together as a community - a stable life for all WORK families with a path to financial independence and a future generation who’s already very much in charge of their own destinies. Recognizing that the road ahead is long, they gathered to let you know that they’re here to cheer you on as you’ve done the same for them.
MARCKENLEY ADME • MARC NOEL ADME • MAEVE ALBU • NELLY ALONSO • THE ALUMNI • D.J. AMICK • TAY ARTIS BUTTA AUGUSTINE • DANIEL BAEZA • FRANCISCO BALAGTAS • RACHEL BAMBRICK • SHANDA BARROW BIBIANA BARROWS • NIKKI BELL • LEANDREW BELNAVIS • THE BENEFIT RUN NA TIGERS • NIKKI BERNABE MICHAEL BERNARDING • DEBI BHANJA • LAURENCE BIEN-AIME • SHERLYN BLADES • MARTIN BLACK THE BLAUGRUND SISTERS • JANE BLAUGRUND • KATHERINE BLAUGRUND • JAMESHA BOOTHE THE BREAKFAST RUN CLUB • SEAN BRENNAN • LIONEL BRODIE • JORDAN BROWN • TAYONA BROWN ANDY CALARA • CARDIOPOWER • ALEX CARROLL • MICHAEL CHANG • CHRISTOPHER CHARLES GLORIA CHENG • SHAWN CHESTNUT • JANET CHIEN • SHARON CHOW • ERIN CRIMONE • TY CROYLE MELINA CRUZ • RYAN C U M M I N G S • A L E XA C U R R Y REBECCA CURRY • GIANNA D’AFFLISIO • NOELLE DAMATO THANKS TO OUR DA N ’ S R U N AC R O S S M AY BRYANT DAO • NATALIE DAVIS RYAN DAUME • THE DAY OWL, FIRST MILE, THREAD MISFITS KEVIN DEGROOT • LOUISNEL DESULME • LAUREN DIXON RAY DRUTIS • GARRETT DUNN MARIAH DYSON • PORTIA EDMONSON JA C K E L I N E E L I A S • B E N ERDELJAC • SERENA EVANS EVERYBODYRUN • NICOLE FAUSTIN • ARIS FIDELINO MARDOCHEE FILS-AIME • NICOLE FILS-AIME • PASCALE FILS-AIME • MICHAEL FINDLEY • ERICKA FLEURANT KATHLEEN FLUEGEL • CHRIS FOCUS • JERRY FRANCOIS • HAYDEN FULSTONE • ELLEN FREEBORN BRIAN GALDAMEZ • JAMES GALL • WBLESTHER GAMA • TED GAMBLE • CHRISTIAN GABARDA • GFTC CHRIS GIBBONS • ALEX GILBERTSON • JONATHAN GILCREST • BRANDON GILLINGHAM • PIERROT GIORDANI GIRLGANGCRZY • LAURA GRAF • MONIQUE GOVAN • EMILY GUHL • KELSEY HALLING • DELANEY HARBOLD BILLY HEFFLINGER • BENJAMIN HEMMINGS • MARGO HINTON • HISTORIC PARK LEGENDS • RILEY HOLLES ANDREW HONG • MEL HOSKINS • KENNETH HOUSE • NANCY HOUSE • NATALIE HOUSE • DANIELLE IANNETTA
2021 RAM PARTICIPANTS & TEAMS
HAILEY INNOCENZO • HANNA JAMES • JACKIE JAROS • JOSETTE JEUNE • ESCANE JOSEPH • KASTEN
KEEP IT RUN HUNDRED TEAM • JACQUELINE KEHOE • JOSH KLEIN • SAM KLEIN • NINA KIM • DANIEL KNOPP CHELSEA KOCAN • MELISSA KORC • KOREATOWN RUN CLUB • KEVIN KOSTERMAN • CASH KOZORA COLETTA KOZORA • JOE KOZORA • KATIE KOZORA • K-TOWN • PALLAVI KULKARNI • PREM KUMAR DAVID LABONTE • BRITTANY LANE • VALERIE LATTANZA • JUAN LEIS-PRETTO • LET’S GO! • JOSH LINE JOHN LITHEN • BRIAN LOPEZ • SCHLIDENS LOUISSANT • JULIAN LOZANO • VIVIEN LUK • WAYNE LUK RAFAEL LUNA • JONATHAN LYONS • FRANK MACINSKY • SARAH MAINS • DANIEL MARRETT • DANI MARSH CHRISTINA MARSICO • VICTOR MARTIN • PAIGE MARZINZIK • BERVEN MASHONGANYIKA • KRISTEN MAUCLAIR MATTY MAUCLAIR • SARAH MCCANN • JENY MENDEZ • MENELAS FAMILY MEMBERS + RUN CLUB PAIGE METZHEISER • ANDREW MEYERS • KIRA MEYERS • DEAN MILLER • BRIAN MONDONEDO JOSH MONDONEDO • NICOLE MULLINS • CHRIS MURRER • JACQUELYN MURRER • LIAM MYERS DUY NGO • DUY NGUYEN • RODGER OBLEY • SEOJIN OH • ON YOUR MARX • VANESSA ONG • MEGAN ONO GUS PAMUNGKAS • ESTHER PARK • AMY PARKER • JAMIE PASSINAULT • MAX PELUSO • KELLY PENG ERIN PEREZ • SARA PETERSON • ANDREA PETRILLO • PHILLY RUNS ACROSS MAY • ARMELIE PIERRE ANNE PONTANI • JUSTIN PORTIS • CHARLES POTTER • DONOVAN QUERUBIN • RAD MAX: FURY ROAD BENNY RAMOS • ELIZABETH RATTA • SIDNEY RICE • ALI RIECKE • SAM RIDENOUR • ANGEL RISHER ALEX ROTH • CLAYTON ROSA • IGNACIO ROSAS • IAN ROSENBERGER • JUSTIN ROWE CHRISTIE SAINT-CROIX • SC TEAM • EDWARD SCHMIECH • JANINE SCHULIGER • SHADY SIDE ACADEMY KAREN SHAFFER • R.J. SHANAFELT • SIMI SHETTY • SMALLS ATHLETICS • CAROL SMALLS • JUSTIN SMALLS SOCIAL HOUR RUN CLUB • EMMANUEL SOTELO • REBECCA SPARKS • CASSIE SPEAR • SPONGE CITY JADE STEVENS • EMI STRETTON • SERENITY STRUBLE • CAITLIN SWEENEY • TEAM AREBA + GARRETT VAMSI THIRUMALAREDDY • MK THOMAS • JOHNNY TORRES • MARY ULSETH • UNMD RUN CREW AMRITA VENKATRAMAN • ADRIANA VON RAGO • JESSICA WAYASHE • JUSTIN WILLIAMS • CARMEN WILSON AUB R EY WISEMAN • LEIL A WYN N YCKYJ • JEF F YA K I S H • EVE YE N • C HA R L E S J E A N YNE L MARIE YOUNG • EMILY ZUTZ
MESI ANPIL. Stay connected and help us see this work through.