Forward In Health

Today the 5K Family run/walk race sponsored by Fitness Concepts of Gardner was held. Proceeds are to be used toward establishing a full time pediatric and prenatal clinic in Les Cayes, Haiti. Over 250 runners or walkers participated. The event grossed $26,000 for Forward in Health. This was our first fundraiser. Thanks to all of our sponsors and participants.

To the editor:

The Wildcat Waiting area is an idea conceived in generosity and love by the students of Gardner High School for the people in Les Cayes, Haiti, a country of poverty and political chaos.
A permanent outpatient clinic would be a miracle in this southern city. The occasional forays of Dr. John Mulqueen's organization brought temporary relief for some Haitian children in a meeting of cultures that was arguably of greater benefit to the somewhat jaded Americans than the hospitable residents of Les Cayes.
The origins of “Forward in Health” go back six years to a visit of Sister Theresita from the Diocese of Worcester’s Haitian Apostolate. The story of how Dr. Mulqueen chose to respond to a call from God is his own to elaborate on, but appeared to initiate from Sister Theresita’s visit to Sacred Heart parish.
Dr. Mulqueen and other volunteers organized in Christian charity to visit Haiti with medical supplies. The visit and further visits were supported by Sacred Heart's parishioners, confirmation class, the elementary school, The Caring Place, Lenten collections, etc. Through many programs, the parishioners and students of Sacred Heart have consistently supported this medical mission. As a member of the medical team, I have been amazed at how this community continues to dig deeply for extra money to support distant people.
However, the Haitian Apostolate now solely supports the twinning program where one church in Worcester Diocese supports a parish in Les Cayes. Sacred Heart continues to support Our Lady of the Holy Rosary in Port-a-Pimont.
This change in focus precluded any support of a medical mission. Not to be deterred, Dr. Mulqueen and his wife Paula, RN, changed the name to Forward in Health and looked elsewhere for support. That brings us back to Gardner High School and their crucial assistance. This may be the beginning of a beautiful relationship.

Melody Phelps
Gardner
Reprinted with permission of The Gardner News

Forward in Health held a board meeting Saturday May 13 and unanimously voted to appoint Seaphin Lindor, better known as Roudy, to be its' director in Haiti. He is currently transitioning from another position in Haiti, and the appointment will take effect once the transition process is over. Roudy is a life long resident of Les Cayes and is well known and respected in the community. He has worked in the past with several board members.
Board member Lois Kolofsky has had extensive experience working with Roudy through her parish in Sutton, and told the board that Roudy has "excellent knowledge and respect in the Les Cayes area. The Sisters of Charity, who have worked extensively with him, vouched for his character and honesty." In her experience Lois mentioned that he has demonstrated excellent accounting and reporting skills.
Vice president Paula Mulqueen has also had a working relationship with Roudy and looks forward to resuming what was a successful partnership.

With nearly two weeks to go until a run/walk road race to support medical care in Haiti, students at Gardner High School have already surpassed their goal of raising $3,000 through the event.
"It's a great thing for our school, it's a great thing for our community, it's a great thing for people in Haiti," said Principal Michael Baldassarre.
The Fitness Concepts Health Club's third annual five-kilometer race will help support Gardner doctor John Mulqueen's efforts to bring a permanent mdical clinic to Les Cayes, Haiti. Mulqueen, who graduated from GHS in 1977, travels frequently to the South Haitian town to help run medical clinics. He hopes to set up a permanent clinic to provide pediatric and prenatal care and treatment for people with HIV and AIDS.
Thanks to the GHS students efforts to bring more people out to the race, the clinic will include a "Wildcat Waiting Room." In honor of the school, it will be painted orange and black. A placque on the wall will list all the students who contributed to the room's construction.
Baldassarre said he is proud to think of people thousands of miles away hearing of the school.
"People in another country, in another city, are going to see the sign and say, "I wonder where Gardner is," he said.
Baldassarre said the students who led the fundraising drive convinced friends, family members, and others to preregister for the race. He said many teachers and staff also got involved in the effort, with some classroom teachers allowing students to participate in the race as part of for-credit projects.
"It's actually reached into the curriculum here at the high school," he said.
In particular, Baldassarre said Veronica Guay, a tutor at the school, was instumental in making the fundraising effort successful. He said she coordinated students' fundraising work and posted a thermometer illustration, showing how close the school was coming to reaching its goal.
"It's so like Veronica just to step up and say, 'you need somebody to do this, I'm here,'" he said.
The school's National Honor Society and student council, as well as sports teams and individual classes, have also been active in the fundraising campaign, Baldassarre said.
Even before the effort to raise the money for the waiting room kicked off, the school's Leo Club held a seperate fundraiser to support Mulqueen's work. According to club advisor Mary Delaney, members ran a dinner/dance on Friday March 24 and raised $709 for Forward in Health. Forward in Health is a nonprofit organization established to provide health and medical care to the people of Les Cayes, Haiti. Mulqueen is a leader of the organization.
Baldassarre said that sum was not counted toward the $3,000 goal.
"That's just the Leo Club being the Leo Club," he said.
Baldassarre said he hopes the school will develop a strong reputation throughout Gardner and beyond for its work in the community. Previously , he has said he supports eventually making community service a graduation requirement.
"Hopefully this is just a start," Baldassarre said, "We've just shown that one thing what we can do. I say, hey, let's go, let's do more."
Although the deadline for preregistering for the run/walk has passed, Baldassarre said students are still bringing in more registrations. Anyone can register up until the event for a slightly higher fee.
The May 20 race will begin at 9:30 a.m. for walkers and 10 a.m. for runners. It will start and finish at the Fitness Concepts Health Club on West Broadway. Those who want to take part in the race can contact the gym, at (978) 630-5114.

Reprinted with permisson of The Gardner News