Fun Run Registration

Registration for the Hotter than Haiti Fun Run can be found at Haitifunrun.blogspot.com

6th Annual Hotter Than Haiti Run Coming up on Saturday September 7th!!!!!!

May 2011

Gearing up for the 4th Annual Haiti Run!!!!!

4th Annual Hotter than Haiti Fun Run (1 mile walk, 5K run, 10K run)

Saturday, September 10th at the Wellsville Square.

Registration: 8-9AM

Run starts at 9AM

All proceeds go to Ruuska Village which is a safe haven for children and women in Haiti.

To find out more info. about Ruuska Village visit www.reachouttohaiti.com.

Planning our next trip to Haiti!!!

Just wanted everyone to know that we are going back to Haiti and are going to be taking diapers and hydration packets. I am going to be buying a case of ceralyte hydration packets which will cost about $260. Barbara is also in need of size 2 diapers. If you are interested in donating please contact me by emailing me at mcbride.mandi@gmail.com.

Thank you all again for your interest in helping Haiti!!!!

Rebuilding continues!!!!!

Thank You!!!!!!

We had another successful year at our Hotter Than Haiti Fun Run!!!!! Thanks to everyone that came and was involved in helping make this a fun and successful day. We raised a little over $2000!!!! I emailed Barbara and told her about it and she was very excited. She really appreciates everyone being so willing to continue to help so many in need.

Again, thanks for the ongoing support and prayers.

Haiti Run Update!!!!

5 MORE DAYS!!!!!

Just wanted to remind everyone that our 3rd Annual Hotter Than Haiti Fun Run is this Saturday September 25th!!!!

Registration starts at 8AM and the run/walk starts at 9AM at the Wellsville Square.

We will have lots of fun raffle prizes.  Registration includes 1 raffle ticket and extra tickets can be purchased for $1 each.

There will also be a benefit concert with the band Till We Have Faces playing that evening at 7:00 at 280 South Center Street in Hyrum.  Tickets are $5 per person or $20 per family.  All proceeds will go to Ruuska Village to help rebuild, provide food, clothes, and an education to children in Haiti.

Thanks again for all of your support and please spread the word.  We are hoping for a great turnout this year.

Mandi

3rd Annual Hotter than Haiti Fun Run!!!!!!!!

3rd Annual Hotter than Haiti Fun Run!!!!!
5K Run/1 mile Walk
Saturday, September 25th at the Wellsville Square.

Registration starts at 8AM in the pavilion and run starts at 9AM

Registration Fee: $12 adults, $8 children (10 and under)

Registration fee includes a water bottle and 1 raffle ticket for a chance to win some awesome prizes.  Additional raffle tickets may be purchased for $1 each.  Donuts and drinks also included.

Donations will also be accepted for Reach Out to Haiti Orphanage and are tax deductible.

More info. about Reach Out to Haiti can be found at reachouttohaiti.com and hotterthanhaiti.blogspot.com

All proceeds will go to help rebuild the orphanage, provide food, clothes, and an education to children in Haiti. 

Questions and/or RSVP may be emailed to hotterthanhaiti@gmail.com

Thank you so much for your support!!!!!

Updated pics of Ruuska July 2010

Wahoo!!! Making progress!!!!!

Continuing to make progress at Ruuska Village!!

I have talked with Barbara several times since I have been home and the building is making progress. Kevin's co-worker went back to Haiti on Friday and will be there for 2 weeks to help with the second level on the buildings. I will post pics as soon as I get them so you can see the progress that is being made.

On another note, I want to remind everyone that the 3rd Annual Haiti Run is just around the corner. It will be on Saturday September 25th so don't forget to mark your calendars. All proceeds will go to Ruuska Village to help with the ongoing need for food, clothing, medical supplies, diesel to keep the generators going, etc.

Thanks again for your ongoing support and please continue to keep the people of Haiti in your daily prayers.

Pics of the rebuilding!!!

Mom and Richard are headed to the airport to fly home this morning. I wish they could stay with us for a few more days but I guess you have to get back to work sometime. Ha! Ha!

We went to a few tent cities and gave out food and clothing 2 days ago. That was quite an experience. The kids just melt your heart and were so excited to just get a sucker! We have had rain every night now for about 1 week then it clears up during the day. Lucien took me, Mom, Richard, and Missy to the Baptist mission yesterday and we had a real lunch. I had chicken nuggets (at least I think it was chicken) and everyone else had hamburgers. On our way up there we stopped at the orphanage in PetionVille and gave candy and toys to the children. There were only about 10 kids there and the rest are finally home with there adoptive parents. They were glad to see us and were so sweet. I wish I could pack them all up and bring them home with me. On our way back we were going to take Missy to the airport to catch a flight to the Dominican and we were running a little late so she hopped on a motorcycle and made it just in time to catch her flight. Mighty brave!!! I think I would rather miss my flight than get on a motorcycle in Haiti. She will be coming back sometime today. She went with a lady that is adopting 2 kids from here to see if they could get Visas from the German Embassy. Please pray that she gets the Visas and can take her children home soon.

The boys are hard at work again today and continue to make progress with the building. I promise I will send pics when I get home. They have done an amazing job. The Haitian workers are very impressed with them and said they have never had American's come in and actually work. They are used to being told what to do without the help. Boss Man has been begging them all to stay.

Well, better run for now.

Mandi

The work continues!!!

Hello to Everyone,

Kevin and his crew have been working very hard since they arrived. They are working with about 10 Haitian men today and hoping to get the flooring on all 3 buildings finished by Thursday. It is fun to see all of the progress here in the Village.

We did finally get the clinic somewhat cleaned out and ready to sort through more boxes. Just when we think we are making progress we get more and more supplies which is wonderful. We have set up many care packages with food and given them away to people coming into the Village, hospitals, other orphanages, etc. We have 2 containers full of supplies with food and clothing. We hope the support continues here. It has been incredible.

Well, better run for now.

Hugs,
Mandi

Another successful day!!!

The cement mixer hasn't stopped running for 2 days now. The outside wall is up and the foundation to the houses that were taken down is about ready to be poured. Kevin and his crew come in tomorrow so hopefully they can get to work right away.

Tuesday we took the Gate's family to the airport and it only took about 2 hours to get through traffic. Ha! Ha!! It usually only takes about 20 minutes. We went to Father Tony's orphanage and dropped off supplies. Father Tony is in the DR due to an ongoing illness and he has turned the orphanage over to Pascale, a Haitian man. This orphanage is for terminally ill children. I was glad that we were able to go.

Yesterday we took a road trip to the orange market with Missy, the cook. That was quite an adventure. We made it to and from with just the Blancs, no Haitians. I was pretty impressed with us.

Barbara flew out to Florida today and will be back on Sunday. She is going to stay with Joe and his family. I told her that she deserved to get a little R&R which I know won't happen but at least she can take a break from the Village for a few days.

I really wanted to try and send a few pics of our progress with the building but the computer is way too slow so I promise I will post when I get back home.

Thanks again for your thoughts and prayers!!!

Hugs,
Mandi

Finally getting a few seconds to post!!!!

Hello Everyone,

Sorry I am just now posting. It's been a bit crazy. We arrived on April 1st (typical April fools)!!!!! We had mechanical problems with the airplane in Miami and had to hang out on the plane for about 3 hours prior to taking off. Once we finally arrived in PAP the madness began. There was one room with no fans that all of the luggage was dumped off in and it was like a big Easter egg hunt to find it try and find it all. We luckily, after about an hour of searching was able to get it all then headed outside. We used to exit the airport and go directly to the parking lot but not this time. We walked right out to the road and attempted to find our ride. Our friend Big that we have been so concerned about because we hadn't heard from him since the quake was there to help. We were finally able to find Kyle then headed off to the other airport to pick up Joe Hurston that flew his private plane in.

We finally made it back to the Village, dropped off luggage, then got to work on the clinic. Just when we think we are making some progress we get more random supplies that require a lot of sorting. We have been able to send extra supplies to hospitals and clinics. We went to a few hospitals yesterday. It is nice to see that there are supplies coming in and going to people that really need it.

By the way, the cement mixer made it along with a lot of other building supplies!!!!!!!! Everyone has been talking about it!!!!!

Charbine's brother and friend have been here since we arrived to help rebuild. They have been very good workers.

I talked with Junior last night and hope to see him sometime today.

Well, I better run for now but will try and post again soon!!!

Hugs to all and please keep praying for the people in Haiti!!!

Mandi

Countdown!!!!!

10 MORE DAYS AND WE WILL BE ON OUR WAY BACK TO HAITI!!!!!

We will be in Haiti right in time for the rainy season. Imagine that!!! It seems like I always pick the best times to go but hopefully this trip isn't quite as exciting as the last one although I do hope it is a huge success.

I will try and keep you updated as much as possible.

Hugs,
Mandi

Let the rebuilding begin!!!!!

I just got word that 2 containers finally made it to Haiti. Let the rebuilding begin!!!!!! My Mom, Richard, and I will be leaving on March 31st for 2 weeks and Kevin will meet us there on the 9th because he has to go to Puerto Rico for work.

We will be taking diapers, wipes, formula, and baby food with us so if anyone is interested in sending something with us that would be wonderful.

For updates on Ruuska Village you can go to airmobileministries.org or reachouttohaiti.com.

I will keep you updated and post pics as I am able to.

Thank you all again for your ongoing support and prayers.

Hugs,
Mandi

Loading up the truck!!!

HUGE SUCCESS!!!!!!!

So the truck left from Logan, Utah today at about 12:00 and it was completely full. Kevin estimated about $30,000 in supplies and we ended up with 35 pallets total!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We can't thank you all enough for your ongoing support and efforts to help Haiti. I can't wait to get back and help rebuild!!!!!! We will keep you posted on the progress of rebuilding the orphanage.

Thanks again!!!

Results from cook-off/bake auction!!!

So we raised over $1800 yesterday at the cook-off/bake auction for Haiti relief!!!! Wahooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!


Thanks to all of you that donated money and gift cards. We went to Home Depot today and spent $1400 on building supplies and packed a few more pallets that are ready to be sent Friday.


If anyone is still interested in sending more supplies before this next shipment is sent please have it to us by Wednesday so we can get it packed up.

We will take anything but the biggest need is still diapers, wipes, formula, and money to buy more building supplies.

Supplies can be dropped off at 6910 S. 4000 W. Wellsville. Call Kevin at (435)730-0965 for any questions.

Thank you again for your love and support.

Chili cook-off and bake auction!!!!!!!

Emmanuel Baptist Church had a chili cook-off and bake auction tonight for Haiti relief and it was a huge success. Charbine bought a cherry coffee cake for $70 and they auctioned off a red velvet cake that she really wanted and a sweet lady bought it for her for $160. She was very excited. They will have a total of the money raised tomorrow. It is amazing how so many people have stepped up and taken an interest in helping the people in Haiti and I pray that it continues.

We spent all day again today going through clothes, medical supplies, and food. We boxed it all up and put it on pallets. It has been a lot of work but very well worth every minute. We now have a total of 20 pallets. Yeah!!!!!!

Our goal is to have too much to send on the truck this time. Wouldn't that be great?

I will keep you all posted on this amazing adventure.

Preparing pallets of donations to ship to Haiti!!!!!!!

Just thought you all would like to see pics of our progress with getting donations ready to send to Haiti. We can't thank everyone enough for all of your hard work and taking an interest in helping so many people in need.

Thank you all again for everything!!!

Dancing for Haiti Kids: Herald Journal

Starrsteppers dance students rehearse their steps next to a pile of donations collected for Haiti relief Tuesday in Logan. (Braden Wolfe / Herald Journal)

By Matthew K. Jensen
Published: Monday, February 8, 2010 3:52 AM CST

They say dancers make the best athletes, and now some in Cache Valley just might make the best philanthropists, too.

Later this month, thousands of pounds of clothing and aid will be shipped from Utah to Haiti, destined for the Ruuska Village orphanage near Port-au-Prince. The clothes and other donations are part of a large-scale charity effort put together by Kevin and Mandi McBride of Mount Sterling and the Starrsteppers Dance Co. in Logan.

The McBrides’ adopted daughter, 17-year-old Charbine, is part of the Starrsteppers group. When her fellow classmates saw what happened in her native Haiti last month, they decided to help.

On Wednesday the group presented a check to Charbine for more than $700, which will go directly to Charbine’s biological mother and siblings who survived the massive earthquake.

“We wanted it to go straight to her family,” said Starrsteppers owner Tina Simmons. “The girls have been so excited. Even the kindergarten-aged kids have gone through their piggy banks and will bring in little bags with their pennies and their quarters. They’re just so proud and can’t wait to help.”

Simmons said she wanted to raise $500 to help Charbine’s family in Haiti but wasn’t sure if the young dance students could come up with such a large sum.

“At first we thought $500 was too high,” she said. “We didn’t really know what the dancers would bring in. But it’s really overwhelmed us, especially with the clothing.”

Charbine admits she’s a little embarrassed from all the attention she’s getting, but said she’s grateful her fellow dancers are helping out.

“It’s a good thing they’re doing,” said Charbine. “I think it’s awesome.”

Kevin and Mandi McBride will personally deliver the check to Charbine’s mother sometime in March, when they visit Haiti to help rebuild the damaged orphanage where Mandi was working as a volunteer nurse the week of the earthquake.

Charbine and 4-year-old Schnaider were adopted by the McBrides in 2008 after a years-long adoption process. Since then, Mandi has traveled to Haiti a few times to help at the orphanage.

As cash donations arrived at the dance studio, so did loads of clothing that will be boxed, palletized and shipped along with construction equipment, medical supplies and food to Merritt Island, Fla., before going by ship to Haiti.

Kevin McBride spent the last several days making trips with a pickup truck between the studio and a storage unit where he’s temporarily staging the goods before they’re shipped by an undisclosed Tremonton company who agreed to transport the load to Florida at no cost. The shipment is intended to help the 40 children who live at Ruuska Village.

“It probably doesn’t seem like a lot just going to help one little village,” said Kevin McBride. “But if you help 40 kids and keep them healthy then hopefully adoptions will pick up again and more kids can go through. You’ve gotta start somewhere.”

The supplies are expected to arrive in Florida on March 1. The McBrides are planning to arrive in Haiti around the same time the shipment does so they can help get it into the right hands.

“Once it gets to Haiti, it’s going to Ruuska Village,” he said. “I work for a construction company and I’m in the process of getting a bunch of construction supplies together to go to Florida along with the clothes.”

McBride says he needs to fill a 52-foot semi truck before it leaves Feb. 26. He still needs items including nails, shovels, drills, leather gloves, a rebar cutter, extension cords and other basic construction equipment.

Mandi McBride is working to send medical supplies in the shipment. Donations can be dropped off at 6910 S. 4000 West near Wellsville. For more information, call 730-0965.