Be Like Brit Race Team

"The Be Like Brit Race Team runs to help the children of Haiti in memory of Britney Gengel, who died in the tragic Haiti earthquake of 2010. ABOUT BE LIKE BRIT In many ways, Britney Gengel from Rutland Massachusetts was a typical 19-year-old young woman, but her humor, passion and deep sense of caring for those less fortunate made her memorable to all who met her. It was her compassion for others that brought Britney to Haiti on January 11, 2010, just a day before the catastrophic earthquake that claimed an estimated 230,000 lives. Britney had spent the day visiting Haitian orphanages in Port-Au-Prince and just a few hours later, Britney, three of her fellow students, and two Lynn University professors lost their lives in the rubble of the Hotel Montana. Britney was missing for 33 days before her remains were recovered. Fortunately, Britney’s dream did not die with her. Only hours before the earthquake, Britney sent a text message to her family that read: “They love us so much and everyone is so happy. They love what they have and they work so hard to get nowhere, yet they are all so appreciative. I want to move here and start an orphanage myself.” These forty words would sustain Britney’s family through the tragedy and, ultimately, serve as the driving force behind the establishment of the Be Like Brit Foundation and the decision to build an orphanage in Grand Goâve for the children of Haiti. The mission of the BLB Foundation is “to serve the children of Haiti by establishing a safe, nurturing and sustainable orphanage in an environment where they can grow, learn and thrive.” We welcomed our first child on January 21st, and are now a family of 33 children! We have had exciting milestones, too, including the first round of report cards, first visits from the tooth fairy, and we have had birthday celebrations! Our children are really thriving!" - http://www.BeLikeBrit.org - Kristin Hervey Musser (Aug 12, 2013)