Friends,

The strongest and most devastating earthquake in over 200 years struck the poorest nation in the Western hemisphere on Tuesday, January 12th. The quake registered a mind-blowing 7.0 on the Richter Scale. Over 100,000 people are feared dead, and the wake of suffering and loss is staggering. The capitol city, Port-au-Prince, is flattened. Hospitals are gone, and medical supplies, food, and water are desperately needed. 

Within hours of the quake, Samaritan's Purse, an international relief agency based in Boone, North Carolina, dispatched a team to help with water, shelter, medical care, and other emergency needs. The team, who is partnering with Haiti Baptist Mission, is focused on medical help, shelter, clean water, and hygiene supplies.

I have a marathon on my calendar for February 27, 2010 - the Thrill in the Hills Trail Marathon in Winder, Georgia. I have been training for a month now, and when the quake happened, I decided to partner with Samaritan's Purse in my training to raise funds to assist the team that is on the ground in Haiti. The concept is simple - I am asking family and friends (and even complete strangers!) to donate $1 per mile for each of the 26 miles I will run on February 27, for a total donation of $26.00. Some of you might have the means to give more, and if so, I encourage you to give $2 per mile, $5 per mile, even $10 per mile. ANY AMOUNT IS SINCERELY APPRECIATED TO ASSIST THE PEOPLE OF HAITI.

Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support my fundraising efforts.

Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too! God bless you.

Brian