To Hope for Haiti

Walkathon Pics

Here are some of the Duncans’ photos from the walkathon:

Made it!

Whew! After walking more than 120 km, the Duncan family crossed the finish line of their walkathon in Hope this afternoon, and were treated to a generous reception at Hope Library. A highlight was the presentation of over $150 raised by Mrs. Koopman’s class at CE Barry Intermediate School. The family is heading to bed early tonight, so check back for some trip photos during the next couple of days.

Updated itinerary June 22-24

The Duncans are making better time than expected, so have accelerated their walk itinerary for June 22-24 (see updates here). A driver will be at the previously posted meeting place tomorrow to ferry walkers to the advanced start position.

Launch day: Coquitlam gives $650+

Undeterred by drizzle, dozens of generous Coquitlam residents visited our tent outside Coquitlam Public Library this morning to see the walkers off, donating over $650 in four hours! Many thanks to all who came out. Special thanks to Melika, Kayvon, and Kauveh Rad, local kids who saved up and gave the entire contents of their piggy bank for a cause they believe in. Like to further the cause? This way, please.

The Duncan family carried the Haitian flag to Maple Ridge Library, pausing on the way to visit a Grade 6 class at St. Patrick’s Elementary. The class learned about the situation in Haiti and how kids can make a big difference. Tomorrow’s walk goes from Maple Ridge Library to Mission. Check out our route and morning meeting time here.

Have a class, club, company, church, or other group you’d like us to visit during or after our walk? Just let us know and we’ll be glad to link up.

Thanks GlobalTV viewers!

Many thanks to GlobalTV viewers who are responding to this morning’s interview on the Weekend Morning Show! Please don’t forget to let us know about your donation so we can thank you and keep track of our progress.

Dirt cookies in Tri-City News

In this photo, accompanying a great article in yesterday’s Tri-City News, we’re showing some of the dirt cookies we’ve made to give out at the walkathon launch on June 19 (8:30-10:30am at Coquitlam Public Library, 3001 Burlington Dr). Over the past year, slum dwellers in Haiti have increasingly come to rely on eating these cookies, made out of vegetable oil, salt, and soil, to fill their stomachs. In such conditions, your donations go a long way.

Channel 4 interview airing June 9

Vancouverites can watch an interview with us on Shaw Cable (channel 4) on Tuesday, June 9, airing at 3:00pm, 6:00pm, and 10:00pm.

Launch party, walk itinerary details posted

The daily itinerary for our walk from Coquitlam to Hope is now online. Check it out for meeting times and places if you’re thinking of walking with us.

Regardless of whether you’re walking or not, we’d love to see you at our launch party on June 19 before we begin our first day of walking. Drop by Coquitlam Public Library, City Centre Branch (3001 Burlington Drive), from 8:30-10:30am. Meet our family and find out about the organizations we’re fundraising for. We’ll be selling dirt cookies (what many Haitians are reduced to eating) by donation.

CBC interview

On May 21, CBC’s Stephen Quinn interviewed two members of our family, Deborah and Taphatna Duncan, about how a kid can make a big difference. Quinn’s show is On the Coast; listen to the interview here (RealPlayer required).

The Paper Girl: article in Burnaby Now

“She is only 12 years old. She has an after-school job delivering the paper you are reading, but what she does with the money is nothing short of extraordinary.”

Read The Paper Girl, a feature article about our sister Taphatna Duncan’s inspiring fundraising efforts, in today’s edition of the Burnaby Now.