Bert’s, Food For The Poor take aim at houses with inaugural 5K
Published:Wednesday | August 30, 2023 | 12:13 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
ON OCTOBER 1 renowned auto parts dealer, Bert’s, will mark its 35th anniversary with a charity 5K run, which aims to build 10 houses for in-need Jamaicans.
It will be the inaugural staging of the ‘Build the Bert’s Charity 5K, which was launched at Bert’s Molynes Road depot on Tuesday.
Waynette Strachan, marketing manager at Bert’s, noted that the company always strives to set good examples as corporate citizens and the event means a lot because it is in aid of a worthy cause.
“In 2021, we built a house for former Reggae Boy Miguel Blair and we are committed to raising our aspirations by making it even grander.
“We built one house in 2021 and in 2023, our 35th anniversary, we are hoping to build 10,” she stated.
“This is just a remarkable milestone of giving back. It is not just a mere race. It represents a collective effort to make a lasting impact in the lives of individuals and families.
“So October first will be a monumental day. It is a day that we not just look to as participants but as champions, and every contribution made will lay the foundation for a brighter future.”
The race will start 6 a.m. on Oxford Road, from there runners will turn onto Old Hope Road to Lady Musgrave Road, then on to Trafalgar Road, before going into New Kingston to Antigua Avenue, Grenada Avenue and Trinidad Terrace before finishing back on Oxford Road.
Registration is currently open at runningeventsja.com. The registration fee is $2,500 and for teams with over 15 members, it’s $20,000.
Runnings Event director, Alfred ‘Frano’ Francis, said although the event is new, he expect it will be a great one.
“And we expect it to be here for a long time on the calendar,” he added.
Just like they did on the Miguel Blair project, Bert’s and Food For The Poor will again partner to build 10 houses, and executive director for Food For The Poor, Craig Moss-Solomon, said it was an honour to join with Bert’s on the ‘Build the Bert’s Charity 5K’.
“In 2021, Bert’s and Food For The Poor joined hands and hearts to build a house for former national player, Miguel Blair. It was the first time in many years that Miguel spent a Christmas and the days after in a comfortable space. So imagine impacting the lives of the other 10 recipients and families after this 5K,” he commented.