MADISON, Wis. – Earlier this month, more than 15 Wisconsin student-athletes from multiple sport teams took a break from their studies and practices for the afternoon to play games and socialize with children at Play It Forward for Haiti.
Play It Forward for Haiti, hosted by the Fond Blanc Foundation, returned for the second year in a row at the Keva Sports Center in Middleton on Oct. 2. Student-athletes interacted with children and community members at the event which featured bounce houses, games and even a crowd-pleasing dunk tank. While the children played with student-athletes, parents visited the silent auction and the foundation’s school store to raise money for the Haitian Fond Blanc Orphanage.
The Fond Blanc Foundation is dedicated to providing education, healthcare and spiritual support to the Haitian Fond Blanc Orphanage and to the surrounding community. The primary goal of the Fond Blanc Orphanage is to give as many children as possible the opportunity to gain an education in a country that currently has a 15 percent graduation rate. Last year, the money raised at the Play it Forward event was used to open the orphanage in Fond Blanc, Haiti. This year, enough money was raised to not only keep the school open for another year, but also to buy uniforms for the children.
Play It Forward For Haiti Attendees from Women’s Hockey 2016
“Through the efforts of the UW student-athletes, alongside our community and FBF staff, we were able to raise $45,000 at this Play it Forward event, topping last year by $9,000,” said Tia Bunz, executive director of the Fond Blanc Foundation. “We couldn’t be more grateful for all the time and energy put in for the children of Fond Blanc, and couldn’t be more proud of the importance placed on these children’s education.”
The event was a success for the Fond Blanc Foundation, and was especially meaningful to the student-athletes who participated.
“I had so much fun at the Play it Forward event,” said Maren Schultz of women’s rowing. “Everyone was having a great time while also giving back to an important cause.”
If you are interested in learning more about the Fond Blanc Foundation, you can visit www.fondblanc.org or call (608) 444-7774.
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