Since 2006, Bridges for Prosperity has built bridges in Peru, Zambia, Guadalupe, Jucuapa Occidental, and Jicaro. City High girls cross country is hosting an annual 5K to raise money to build the next bridge in Cinta Verde, Nicaragua.
“I believe it is important to look beyond yourself and give to the team, the school and to the greater community as well,” Tom Mittman, head coach, said.
In 2005, when Hurricane Katrina hit, the team hosted the first of an annual 5K “Run for Relief” in City Park. The run benefits a chosen charity to receive all of the funds and donations for each year. They have raised a total of over 10 thousand dollars for different charities.
“I suggested it as a possible way to give back to the community,” Mittman said about the start of the tradition. “In the beginning I had a lot of involvement but I have helped less and less as the years go on.”
The race is planned, fundraised for and organized by the girls of the team. Car washes, business sponsors, and grocery store fundraising help bring in money for Continental Crossings. Fundraising so far has raised over $2500 dollars for the cause.
The sponsors who donate the largest amount get to have their businesses’ logo on the back of the race tshirt, which is also designed by a member of the team. This year a few of the largest sponsor’s are: Willowind, Running Wild, Yotopia, Underground Printing, Active Endeavors, and Dick Blick.
Each year there is never a question of whether the race will happen or not, the toughest decision the girls face is deciding what cause to donate the funds to. In the past the team has donated to charities such as the Children’s Cancer Connection, Relief for Katrina, Juvenile Diabetes research, Steps for Breath, and Darfur refugee relief.
“We were considering a lot of charities to focus on for the run, but when my sister came back from Nicaragua, she was so excited for the 2014 bridge building and really wanted us to choose Continental Crossings because it is a local group doing something truly amazing for our world.” Hannah Langenfeld ‘14 said.
The team decided to donate the funds to Continental Crossings. The organization was started in 2006 by a group of engineering students at the University of Iowa. Each summer they elect a group of seven students to go to a developing country suffering from rural isolation, engineer a bridge, and build it.
The students work alongside the community and local masons to establish a sense of ownership of the bridge in the community. This allows the community to maintain the bridge after it is built and share their knowledge with other communities.
Rural isolation can cause communities to be unable to reach medical care, schools, and markets for extended periods of time during the year.
Former team member Katie Langenfeld ‘12 is an engineering student at the University of Iowa. As a freshman, she joined Continental Crossings, a university chapter of Bridges for Prosperity. Last summer she traveled to Jicaro, Nicaragua for six weeks to build a bridge and plan the next. She is now co-president with Louie Hardin ‘09 and Ian Nessler ‘12.
“Continental Crossings deserves support because our mission is changing lives.” Katie Langenfeld said. “By providing a pedestrian bridge, a whole new world of opportunities is opened up to these communities.”
The bridges are built across rivers and river beds to connect rural communities, making hospitals, markets, and jobs more accessible. Being able to reach economic opportunities such as jobs and markets make it able for a community to find a way to overcome poverty.
Each bridge costs $15,000 dollars to build. That $15,00 is solely dependant on donors and fundraising events. Senior Hannah Langenfeld is confident in the cross country team’s ability to help others, and the cause.
“The benefits of raising money for this cause are too many to count, the impact of the bridge will be felt by future generations and it will help so many people.”
The race will be held Saturday November 9th in Lower City Park at 10:00 AM. The girls Cross Country team invites you to join them to help connect people in other countries.
For more information, visit www.continentalcrossings.com and www.bridgestoprosperity.org
