'CT Walks for Haiti' Event Planned for April

Though it's been more than a year since a devastating earthquake hit Haiti, the need for humanitarian aid has not diminished, according to organizers of CT Walks for Haiti.

The group, in conjunction with the West Hartford Town Council and the Mayor's office, is asking residents to participate in the second annual CT Walks for Haiti on April 9, starting at . Registration is from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., and the 2.5-mile walk begins at 12 p.m. Entertainment, crafts, food and a silent auction will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Special guests at the event will include Miss Connecticut, Mayor Scott Slifka, and Hartford Courant Columnist Susan Campbell.

One of the organizers, Nancy Pelletier, said the event is expanding this year to include street performers in West Hartford Center and Blue Back Square. Jugglers or other street performers who might want to participate are urged to contact the committee at mail@ctwalksforhaiti.org.

All funds raised during the event will go to five charities:

• Haitian Health Foundation, which seeks $5,000 to provide health care workers and medical supplies for its "Adopt-a-Village" program.
• Haitian Humanitarian Network, which is looking for $3,500 for cholera outreach and education for the village of Beulieau and surrounding areas.
• Medical Aid to Haiti, which needs $6,000 to pay the salaries of three Haitian nurses for a mobile clinic for one year.
• Outreach to Haiti, which wants $5,000 to provide scholarships for 15 children.
• Partners in Health, which seeks $150 per child for a six-to-eight-week regimen of food products for severely malnourished children.

In support of the event, Slifka issued a proclamation encouraging the community to participate in the charitable walk and expressing "our gratitude to the dedicated organizers of this important walk that will put aid to work for the Haitian people."