In a year that has been marked by altered plans and canceled events, JiHM is thrilled to announce that the 2020 Haitian Hustle 5K has been the most successful in its 10-year history.
Across the country, Hustlers showed up in a big way to continue to share the burden of inaccessible education for kids in Haiti.
Smashing the previous record, 584 people registered for either the virtual Hustle or a community Hustle this year. Combined with the students who ran in Haiti, well over 600 people will Hustle in this year’s 10th anniversary event.
Thanks to business and church sponsors, runners, and donors, the Hustle raised over $26,000—by far the most successful race of the past decade.
“A big thanks to those who ran the Hustle year, either for the first time or the 10th time,” said Roger Carole, JiHM’s Director of Operations. “It is always a great pleasure to see your heartfelt joy and love as you run to provide education for these needy children. May God continue to bless you and your families.”
The money raised by the Hustle covers the cost to send the teenagers from the Lighthouse Children’s Home to a private high school, plus provides the majority of start up costs for a new year for 375 students at Grace Emmanuel School. This includes costly expenses like replacing thousands of textbooks, purchasing notebooks and supplies, and performing general maintenance work to get everything ready for the upcoming school year.
The first Haitian Hustle was hosted by Dawn Bengtson with the help of her church, Becker Evangelical Free Church, in August 2011. That race raised $6,000.
“The Lord continues to bless this race abundantly beyond what I could have ever imagined,” Dawn said in her closing remarks at the 10th anniversary Hustle in Becker this year. “Thank you for continuing to show up year after year and share the burdens of our brothers and sisters in Haiti in such a tangible way.”
Due to poor air quality because of wildfires, the Hustle set for August 22 at Life Pointe Church in Woodland, CA, is rescheduled to take place on September 19. Over 100 people are registered for this event—also setting a record for the California Hustle!
We hope you’ll take part in the 11th annual Haitian Hustle next year. Mark your calendars for August 21, 2021.