Runway to Haiti: Ambassador Event & Photo Opportunity

Posted on by Thor

I went to Macbeth Studio (37 North Orange Avenue, Suite 900, Orlando, Florida) to sketch the Runway to Haiti Ambassador Event. Rebuild Globally and Macbeth Studio  joined forces to host this event to promote the upcoming fundraiser, Runway to Haiti: A Night of Impact and Ethical Fashion!

Many Central Floridians had volunteered, donated, traveled, modeled, and represented REBUILD globally over the years and became that organization’s biggest community advocates.

Rebuild Globally was born from the disaster of
the 2010 Haiti earthquake and survived in its wake by embarking on a
mission to provide a sustainable, entrepreneurial solution for
survivors. It is is a nonprofit organization promoting prosperity by growing an
educated and skilled workforce in Haiti and ensuring a pathway to
dignified employment.They believe education and job training programs are the most powerful
weapons in the fight against extreme poverty. We create powerful and
holistic programs that empower men and women to obtain degrees and work
placement, ending the cycle of poverty in their lives, their families’
lives, and in their communities.

The ambassador Event was a fun and casual evening and help spread the word for Runway to Haiti: A Night of Impact and Ethical Fashion.

This event included great photo ops with a one-of-a-kind backdrop designed by local Haitian artist Patrick Noze, as well as some food and refreshments. Julie Colombino the CEO and founder of Rebuild Globally posed for a photo as I sketched. In the mural behind her a woman held a basket on her head with one hand raised to keep the basket balanced. Julie mimicked the pose and I assume the photographer, Jim Hobart lined things up just right so that it seemed like she had the two dimensional basket on her head. Jim is a board member of Rebuild Globally and he has taken some amazing documentary photos of  this organizations amazing work over the years.

REBUILD globally creates powerful and holistic programs that empower men and women to obtain degrees, work placement, and end the cycle of poverty in their lives, their families lives, and in their communities.

Runway to Haiti

Posted on by Thor

REBUILD globally hosted a night of beauty and impact at the annual fundraising event, “Runway to Haiti: The Night Fashion Meets Impact!” The runway show featured local influencers, community members, and big ambassadors. The show inspired next season’s best trends.

Patrons enjoyed a Deux Mains Designs runway show, music, a silent auction, and more as funds were raised for life changing education and job training programs in Haiti. With the world class pop-up boutique patrons could make an instant update to your wardrobe and impact the world with the latest styles.

Julie Colombino awarded Jim Hobart the first Orlando Global Citizen Award for his photo journalistic work documenting REBUILD globally’s impact in Haiti. Over 100 students have been taught and 85 jobs created that will help families build a life outside displacement camps. Locals are trained to create shoes that are created from recycled car tires.

Julie Antoine is smart and focused. She crossed the border into the Dominican Republic and adapted quickly to Dominican culture. She made a good living selling wares on the streets. One day, she was pulled off the street by Dominican police. Since her physical appearance was Haitian, she was forcibly deported without even being able to get her children. In the displacement camp, she had no idea how to adjust to the abject poverty. She jumped at the opportunity to craft sandals for REBUILD globally. She made her way out of the displacement camp in 3 months. Mose people remain in displacement camps for 17 years.

The goal of the Runway to Haiti fundraiser was to raise $50,000. People raised their hands to donate $1000 each.

Runway to Haiti dressing room.

Posted on by Thor

Runway to Haiti was a fashion show gala that raised money for Rebuild Globally. In 2010 there was a devastating earthquake in Haiti. Death toll estimates are between 100,000 and 160,000. It was a horrific blow to an already impoverished country. Julie Colombino decided to immediately go to Haiti to help in any way she could. She didn’t have a plan to start. Her efforts lead to the founding of Rebuild Globally which empowers people by giving them jobs creating sandals and shoes. The soles of the sandals are fabricated from old tires. Apparently the first pairs were not so comfortable but now they rival designer brands. The organization has also offered education to over a hundred students which further empowers people who rise from the displacement camps.

Julie is getting her makeup done in this sketch. The room was a constant blur of activity as models had their makeup done. It seemed like there wouldn’t be enough time before the event doors opened. The goal for the evening was to raise $50,000 dollars. Everyone needed to look their best.

Passport to Haiti

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Passport to Haiti was a fundraiser organized by REBUILD Globally and held at the Lockhaven Community Center (610 Lake Formosa Drive). Funds raised by the event would go to the relief efforts following the huge earthquake that devastated the country. The mission of REBUILD Globally is to help with community development and education as well as to stimulate the much needed economic and cultural growth in Haiti. Put more simply,”Helping Haitians help themselves.” There were silent auction items including original Haitian art. I sat down next to a table where fresh coconut juice was being offered. I tried a cup and it was sweet and delicious. Behind the staging area there were tents to represent the tent cities of Haiti.

I focused my attention on the table where sandals were being sold. Matthew Von Herbulis stood behind the table explaining the manufacturing process to anyone who was interested. These sandals called Re:Treads are made from old used tires. The company has been manufacturing these shoes for the last 4 months. The sandals are made locally now but they are going to train Hatians of Port au Prince to do the same. The tires used to make the sandals are just collected from dumps and roadsides. This small company has the goal of helping bankroll the Haitian economy by helping Haitians find work that involves craftsmanship and dignity. Although the country is in ruins thanks to centuries of poverty, Haitians are full of energy and drive and when given the opportunity to work towards building their own future they excel. A portion of all sales go towards putting shoes on the feet of orphans.

As I was sketching, Julie Colombino, who had organized the event, got behind the microphone and started describing the conditions she found on the last trip she took to Haiti. She got very choked up and was in tears as she described conditions that are beyond human comprehension. I later found out that Julie will be moving to Haiti for 6 months to help rebuild and restore a neighborhood. Sultana Fatima Ali showed up to the event after I finished my sketch and I found out that she is a part of a core group of activists who have been friends for years.

When my sketch was finished I didn’t linger much longer. As I walked out to my truck Julie ran out after me saying I had forgotten my gift basket. Inside was a Hershey’s kiss, a gift certificate for a beauty spa and a recycled bottle with a note inside. The note offered information about Rebuild Globally. I was touched by the generosity and thoughtfulness of the organizers. The note told the story of Zilice who has to travel a long distance to a city slum everyday to get water from a government water site. The water if not treated with bleach or boiled often causes fevers. Charcoal for a fire is a luxury and bleach is too expensive so she must take her chances. 10 percent of infant deaths in Haiti are attributed to dehydration according to government statistics. Several Haitian families were at the event and they told their stories of survival with the help of an interpreter. Each story was more heart wrenching than the last. When the speeches and stories were all told, a beautiful young blond woman and a 10 year old Haitian girl danced and laughed to the music.

Go to the people,Live among them.Learn from them.Start with what they know.Build on what they have:But of the best of leaders,When their task is accomplished,Their work is done,The people all remarkWe have done it ourselves.-Old Chinese poem

Should you ever want to help,

REBUILD Globally

P.O. Box 3756

Winter Park, Fl 32790