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.