Bert Faibish
CFL.ca
Even for someone accustomed to embarking on several road trips a year, there is no illusion that anything he has experienced will prepare Ticats offensive lineman Jason Jimenez for what he will face when he steps off the plane.
Jimenez and seven other CFL players will join with Oxfam Canada and WestJet in an initiative dubbed “Huddle for Haiti”, a trip to bring awareness and hope to the people of Haiti during the one-year anniversary of the devastating earthquake that rocked the region last January.
Jason Jimenez poses with a Brazilian member of the United Nations (UN) force in Haiti. Jimenez is part of a group of CFL players on a humanitarian mission to Haiti.
“We’re trying to continue to raise awareness here at home that the people of Haiti are not forgotten, and to use our status as athletes to get the message out and remind people that people are still living without in Haiti,” said Jimenez.
Jimenez and his fellow players know that the possibility of making a huge difference in the lives of the Haititan people is remote, but they hope to at the very least, bring some hope.
“If all we can do is go down there and raise awareness and hand out supplies, then that’s what we’ll do,” said Jimenez.
“We’re not going to touch everyone or make a difference in the life of every person but if we can do a little bit with the resources we have, then its all very worthwhile,” he added.
Growing up in the Orlando area, Jimenez was exposed to the plight of many Haitians who had left their country in search of a better life. When the CFLPA put out a call for volunteers, Jimenez jumped at the chance.
“Just growing up in the area I did and getting to know so many people of Haitian decent, the issue hit close to home,” said Jimenez.
“This trip is a chance to not just give money, but to get in on the ground level and actually hand out supplies and help clear rubble from people’s homes,” he added.
Huddle for Haiti is another example of the community initiatives that the CFL does such an excellent job of promoting every year.
“The CFLPA is grateful for the opportunity to work with Oxfam, an organization with an outstanding international reputation for humanitarianism,” said CFL Player Association president Stu Laird in a press release.
“Our members will gain a ground level understanding of the hardships and devastation that Haitians have endured,” he said. “These players demonstrate the giving spirit that is so often associated with playing in the CFL. It is our hope that these contributions will bring further attention and support to the people of Haiti and other people in need around the world.”
The players and other volunteers will fly courtesy of WestJet, who in addition to making donations, has been flying workers to Haiti free of charge since the earthquake struck.
