Hundreds attended a Fleet Feet fundraiser in West Hartford on Wednesday night to support relief for the victims of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica.

By Ronni Newton

Fleet Feet’s West Hartford store has long been known as much more than a retail business – with a loyal community of runners and walkers that not only participate in store-led programs, but also support initiatives to assist charitable causes such as Footwear with Care. When the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica last week personally impacted a member of the Fleet Feet family, business owners Dave and Fernanda Jacobs immediately jumped in to help.

Fleet Feet holds free fun runs every Wednesday evening, but on Nov. 5 the “fund” run included a press conference, the announcement of a significant donation, and a raffle.

More than 250 runners and walkers gathered outside the Farmington Avenue store Wednesday night for a run that was also a fundraiser for a Jamaica Relief Program formed in honor of Dean Waul – the brother of Fleet Feet staff member Charmaine Waul. Dean Waul was one of the first recorded deaths in Jamaica due to the hurricane.

Fleet Feet donated 525 pairs of waterproof trail shoes from Hoka, 40 pairs of On running shoes, 600 pairs of Balega and Feetures running socks, and proceeds from the raffle that will directly support relief for Jamaica.

“Tonight we recognize the collective effort behind the initiative from the donation of hundreds of shoes, socks, and funds to be raised through the Jamaica Relief Fund,” said Tanya Dorman of the West Indian Social Club of Hartford. “Every contribution represents hope, care, and solidarity with those rebuilding their lives in Jamaica.”

And before the sea of runners in their light-up vests and headlamps took to the pavement on Wednesday night, they also heard from Fleet Feet co-owner Dave Jacobs, as well as Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, state Sen. Derek Slap, state Rep. Bobby Gibson, and Andrew Lawrence of the Caribbean Trade Council.

The Fleet Feet fundraiser supports two vetted programs, the Connecticut Caribbean Coalition Disaster Relief Fund as well as a foundation already established by Waul’s family.

Jacobs said he was thankful to be able to make something like this happen. “It’s just a beautiful thing to watch our community come together, and I thank you all for coming,” he said.

“For many of us here in Connecticut this disaster has affected families and friends directly, and it’s been so difficult to watch the devastation from so far away,” Bysiewicz said Wednesday night. People are without homes and essential services, she said, “but Connecticut’s superpower is stepping up when disaster strikes. We are a generous state, our community cares very deeply for one another,” she said, thanking everyone for supporting Waul’s family and the people of Jamaica.

“This is how West Hartford rolls,” said Slap, who represents West Hartford in the state Senate. “You guys are fantastic,” he said, noting that giving is a powerful force.

Gibson, who is one of West Hartford’s representatives in the state House, said standing at the podium and looking at the faces of the runners, “I could see all the caring eyes and the love that is out here tonight. … This hurricane devastated Jamaica, and other parts of the Caribbean, but it’s the same type of love and support that it’s showing here today is what’s going to help us get Jamaica and some of the other Caribbean islands back on their feet.”

Lawrence, representing the Caribbean Trade Council, expressed his thanks to Fleet Feet for their generosity and also extended thanks from the Jamaican ambassador.

“Ladies and gentlemen, this is not a spring, this is a marathon,” Lawrence said. “We’re in this for the long haul,” he said, noting that homes, hospitals, police stations have been “mangled” by Hurricane Melissa, and many roads are not just impassable but completely destroyed.

“Whatever you have, no matter how small it is, it means a lot to the people of Jamaica who have nothing,” Lawrence said.

Waul is from a fishing village on Jamaica’s coast. “We did sustain a lot of wind damage, roofs blown up, water rising,” and people lost everything and are need of clothing and food, Charmaine Waul told We-Ha.com

Waul said she didn’t ask for anything, but after she told Fernanda Jacobs that her brother had passed away, they started planning the fundraiser. “Fleet Feet jumped right in, and in fact they reached out to me,” Waul said. “I just want to say thank you, because this business has been incredible to step up when families in Jamaica need help.”

Waul addressed the crowd on Wednesday night, too. “On behalf of myself and my entire family, the entire Jamaica, I want to express our deepest gratitude to David and Fernanda [Jacobs] and the Fleet Feet community for this incredible act of kindness. Your compassion in organizing this event means more than words can say. You’ve not only honored my brother Dean’s memory but also extended real help to those still recovering from Hurricane Melissa’s devastation.”

She thanks all who attended and all who spoke. “Your presence reminds us that community, empathy, and action can bring light, even in the darkest moments.”

Those who attended the run had the opportunity to participate in a raffle with the opportunity to win prizes that included dozens of walking or running shoes, registration fees for Fleet Feet programs, and entries into various road races including the Marine Corps Marathon. Food was available after the run, provided by Jamaican restaurant 881 Grab&Go.

To donate to the Connecticut Caribbean Coalition Disaster Relief Fund, click here.

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