Milligan College tends to stay in the business of giving back.
Students from the college are coming to host the second annual Wholehearted 5K fun run on Saturday, April 1, to raise money for the Wholehearted Orphanage in Haiti.
The event is a special moment for students, according to race organizer and Milligan senior Victoria Rivera.
“My freshman year, there were a few girls that were a couple of years old than me that were active in the 5K race to benefit the Hands and Feet Project for Haiti,” Rivera said.
Since that time, the race transitioned to benefit the Wholehearted Orphanage, which is based in Fort Parisien, Haiti – near Porte au Prince and the Dominican Republic border.
The race is scheduled to start at 10:30 a.m. on Milligan’s campus at Village residential halls, located at the end of Frank Oaks Drive. Online registration is $10, and registration prior to March 24 allows participants to receive a free T-shirt. Day-of registration is set at $15 and all proceeds raised will go directly into helping the orphanage.
Rivera, who has performed mission work for the organization five times, added the goal for students is to raise $1,000 to go towards expansion at the facility.
“Wholehearted is expanding from one home to eight homes to be able to house 96 children,” she said. “The overall expansion is around $2 million but we’re hoping to raise what we can to help out. This is a project that we care a lot about and we feel the call to do what we can.”
Rivera added that one of the positives about the Christian-based organization is the family-style set up. Currently, 12 kids are being raised in a healthy, loving environment by two parents and the hope is to grow the program for more children in the region.
“Each house would have its own family,” Rivera said. “It’s a great way to have children in a family atmosphere.”
Having the ability to host these types of events showcases the mission of Milligan, the organizer said.
“Everyone has been so supportive about the race,” Rivera said. “It says a lot about Milligan’s community. Everyone is willing to do what they can to help.”
And for those interested in participating, the race is a way to step out of a comfort zone to help benefit a project on worldwide stage.
“It’s just a great way to get involved,” Rivera said. “We’re excited about the race. Whether someone is wanting to run, walk or just come out, it’s a great way to step out of a bubble and do the little things to help out a cause.”
Visit www.milligan.edu/wholehearted5k for race registration and additional information. Individuals can also visit www.wholeheartedorphanage.com to learn more about the organization’s presence in Haiti.