The Baptist Collegiate Ministries (BCM) at Longwood and Hampden-Sydney is hosting a 5K to help raise money for a mission trip to Haiti.
The Hope For Haiti 5K is scheduled for Nov. 16 in front of Ruffner. The 5K walk/run will begin at 10 a.m. after registration, which begins at 8:30 a.m. BCM Missions Coordinator, Annathen Lacks was able to answer questions about the 5K.
EJ Dowling: Why did you decide to do this fundraiser?
Annathen Lacks: We did the Hope for Haiti 5K last year, and it was a ton of fun so we wanted to do it again this year.
EJD: What are you raising money for?
AL: We are raising money to help students get to Haiti so that they can serve if they feel called to do so. We want to make sure that anyone who wants to be a part of this mission trip can do so, even if they don’t have the funds.
EJD: What will you be doing in Haiti?
AL: While in Haiti, we will be helping to build a house for a family who has been without one since the earthquake in 2010. There are families that are still living in makeshift shantytowns, or tent cities, that need to get back to their lives and into real homes.
We will also be working at the Source of Light Orphanage in Port-au-Prince with children who were orphaned by the earthquake. While we will mostly be showing them love and attention that they desperately need, we will also be teaching them English and sharing God’s love with them.
EJD: How many people are going on the mission trip?
AL: Right now, we have approximately 20 students signed up to go.
EJD: What are your hopes for the event?
AL: I hope that we can raise enough money to make a dent in the payments that we have to pay in order to serve. We want to make the mission trip as affordable as possible, so I hope that the event is successful and that we can spread the word about what we are trying to do.
EJD: How many people are expected?
AL: We have a few people signed up right now, but we are hoping that we can get the word out and get more people involved.
EJD: What is your goal?
AL: My goal for the event is to help the Longwood students get to Haiti. I want to make the adventure of serving God as easy as possible, and for them to not have to stress about the cost would be a blessing.
If you are interested in signing up for Hope For Haiti, you may register in Dorrill Dining Hall throughout the week, or email Annathan Lacks at annathen. lacks@live.longwood.edu for more information.
