Last weekend, hundreds of people from all around the area gathered at Becker High School to participate in the annual Haitian Hustle 5k Fun Run to benefit families in Haiti.

 

Dawn Bengtson chairs the event and all money raised from the race goes to cover the educational costs of the children living at the Lighthouse Children's Home in Bon Repos, Haiti.

 

The Lighthouse is run by Jesus in Haiti Ministries and is home to nine children in grade school, most of whom were orphaned after the 2010 earthquake and 14 young men who are finishing high school and preparing for college.

 

Virtually all schools in Haiti are private and the kids from the Lighthouse would not have the means to attend school without the funds from the Haitian Hustle. Race money will cover tuition, books and other supplies and transportation to school.

 

For seven years Bengtson has been “doing the hustle” for a worthy cause and her efforts are continuing to reap benefits for needy children in Haiti. 

 

Responding to God's call to care for the “least of these,” she collaborated with the nonprofit Jesus in Haiti Ministries to develop the race as a way to raise funds for tuition, school supplies, and school uniforms for young residents of Lighthouse Children’s Home.

 

Bengtson was asked about doing some fundraising for the people of Haiti after she first visited the republic and stayed at the home of Tom Osbeck, founder of Jesus in Haiti Ministries. Osbeck suggested she start a fundraiser and Bengtson balked, figuring she wasn’t qualified and was too busy being a nursing graduate.

 

Despite her hesitation, Bengtson eventually escaped her uncertainty and started the race seven years ago. It was an overwhelming success, garnering 180 racers and  raising more than $10,000 in its first running. The Hustle was picked up in 2012 by the city of Austin and funds raised from the 2013 races were sufficient to send all residents of Lighthouse Children’s House to school, as well as cover their supplies and uniforms. 

 

The next year, Fort Wayne, In., and Cincinnati, Oh came on board. 

 

Bengtson gets many volunteers from her church.  The race is sponsored by businesses from Becker and friends who have a heart for Haiti and want to give.  The only cost of the race is the tshirts; every other dollar goes to the kids.

 

This year, over 220 runners and walkers participated with 40 kids taking part.

 

Dani Nuest took first place in the women’s category with a time of 20:25. She was followed by Julia Bengtson (20:27) and Shannon Nuest (21:12).

 

In the men’s division, Olsen Pancoast glided to victory in a time of 18:38. He was followed by Jacob Lukkarila (19:51) and Mike Bekius (20:11.

 

Over $11,000 was raised in the local Becker Haitian Hustle.  An additional 110 racers participated in the Virtual Haitian Hustle nationwide in California, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. The kids for whom the money was raised also ran in Haiti.

 

“I coordinate it, but it happens because of the amazing team of volunteers from Becker Evangelical Free Church that has had a close connection with Jesus in Haiti Ministries for the past seven years,” said Dawn.