We spent the day separating uniforms, pumping up basketballs (with one bicycle pump because the other three broke), getting caught up with our Haitian friends and talking with many kids.

Thank you for all of your donations!

For those who know me well know that I have a tough time enjoying the moment; there is always something to do next.

Jason Sniff, my brother-in-law and the Team Leader for our Hoops for Haiti trip, has used the following phrase quite often over the last several months as we’ve prepared: “Let’s make sure that we keep two feet in the moment.”  I had never heard that phrase before.  In fact, the first time he said it, it went right by me.  I missed it (probably because I was thinking about what was next).  Oh, I heard it, but it took me until the third or fourth time to internalize it.

I don’t know about you, but as I go about my daily activities, I often forget to keep two feet in the moment with my family and the ones that matter most in my life.

As we travel to Northern Haiti, I am focused on our trip, the kids that we’re going to instruct, the shoes and clothes that we’re going to give out (thanks for your donations!), the lives that we are going to touch and the people who are going to touch our lives.  It will be relatively easy to keep two feet in the moment.

Our objective is to use basketball to bring a message of hope and love to the Haitians.   It is just as important – if not more important – to keep two feet in the moment when we get home.  It’s always toughest at home.

Through Hoops,

Mark

Hoops for Haiti – Two Feet In (x 6)

Team Hoops for Haiti on the plane to Haiti.

This past week we sent another shipment of uniforms, shorts, shirts and shoes to Haiti. Jim Aubry, who receives all shipments from donors and inventories all items, is pictured.

One of the many exciting things about our trip to northern Haiti in May is that Hoops for Haiti will be shooting video for a documentary film.  With a working title of “Beyond Hoops for Haiti,” we will be looking to show the impact that a “message of hope and love through basketball” can have on the lives of the young people of Haiti.

The Hoops for Haiti team will be traveling to Haiti in May of this year.  We will be posting more updates as the date draws nearer.

Unfortunately, because of the continued political unrest in Haiti, we have had to postpone our trip.  The presidential election was supposed to have taken place on January 16th, 2011, but has been postponed due to concerns as to who should be on the ballot.

We are in the process of rescheduling our trip to sometime in the Spring.  We will update the website as soon as we have set the new dates.

Please keep the people of Haiti in your thoughts and prayers as they continue to struggle with protracted political and economic turmoil along with  poor living conditions that have been exacerbated by the January 2010 earthquake and the recent outbreak of cholera.

Hoops for Haiti has announced that it has set up its next trip to Haiti.   We will be going to Cap-Haitien and Pillatre in January of 2011.  Your support is greatly appreciated.

We are still looking to collect:

*Basketball Shoes

*Basketball Uniforms

*Financial support to off-set travel and shipping costs

Through Hoops!