athletes from Haiti-NYMarathon-JP-HROActor Sean Penn’s organization J/P Haitian Relief Organization continues rebuilding Haiti with medical, structural and community development programs. But now, he bolsters the hearts and dreams of some athletes there, sponsoring ten elite runners from to participate in the New York City Marathon November 3.

“It’s rewarding,” Penn told the Associated Press. “I just came back from Port-au-Prince, where I visited our Haitian marathon runners, and to see that great discipline that Haitians have and that great spirit and the excitement that they have visiting New York for the first time.” (Watch the video below)

The marathon for Haiti is also a fundraising campaign for J/P HRO and will be an opportunity to showcase Haitian athletes competing at the highest level on the world stage. The campaign has raised $111,807 so far.

The mission at J/P HRO is simple: To save lives and bring sustainable programs to the Haitian people quickly and effectively. Following the tragic earthquake of 2010, J/P HRO began working immediately to make meaningful and lasting impact in Haiti.

Today, J/P HRO programs focus on supporting the residents of the camps we manage and the surrounding areas transition from life left homeless by the earthquake to durable, sustainable and prosperous communities. Early on, J/P HRO became camp manager of Pétionville Camp, serving up to 60,000 internally displaced persons. Our staff, which is nearly 350-strong and 95 percent Haitian, is working every day to provide education, health and community development, and economic opportunities.

Learn more at JPHRO.org

(WATCH the video below from J/P HRO, or READ the story from the NY Daily News)

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