Fallen heroes honored during 5k run in the park

By: Ashley Marie Lapadula/Staff Writer
It was the day when the unreal turned into the indescribable. On that crystalline morning, Sept. 11, 2001, two airplanes plunged from the sky into the World Trade Center while another pierced a hole in the Pentagon.More than 3,000 people died that morning, the majority of them buried alive in the rubble of the Lower Manhattan towers, some at the Pentagon and others in the Pennsylvania grassland, the only plane that day to not reach its destination: the White House. With a numb feeling of horror, the nation came to realize the ugly truth of terrorism.

Marlene Quincoces, also known as Marly Q, sprang into action a few years later with a plan to encourage people to give back to their communities. Even before graduating from the University in 2008, with a degree in liberal studies and a master’s in higher education, Quincoces has always been driven by her unquenchable thirst for helping others. One of her favorite quotes, by Margaret Mead, says, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has.”

After successfully completing more than 5,000 community service hours in high school, spearheading the annual Relay for Life on campus in 2004 and working with the American Cancer Society and the City of Doral, she knew she could accomplish her next dream.

In Jan. 2010, she quit her job and started her own company called StarMar Events, a consulting, production and management company that works with corporations on public and nonprofit events. Quincoces’s mission is to create positive social change through community events.

Just months into starting her company, she has established a nonprofit organization called “P.A.R.K. Project,” with a purpose to inspire and empower others to “P.A.R.K.,” or to Perform Acts of Random Kindness.

“I did not choose to be a social entrepreneur and philanthropist, it chose me,” said Quincoces, whose ambitious character has pushed her to the heights of her dreams. Though her list of future goals is infinite, she has a team of loved ones and supporters to accomplish it all.

Among her supporters is co-founder Humberto Casanova and P.A.R.K. Project president Flor Garcia.
Garcia said: “Working with Marly is awesome! She keeps you on your toes, but aside from that, working with her is a blessing. I sometimes feel like I am in this journey with her ready to conquer the world, a journey that is challenging but, at the same time, rewarding.”

Casanova, who joined the organization and company in hopes of encouraging other citizens to take part in this P.A.R.K. Project and own the movement, describes working with Quincoces as simply being “the best.” “I vividly remember watching the second plane crash into the towers, an image I will never forget.”
P.A.R.K. Project is celebrating their one-year anniversary on Sept. 10 with a historic event: the 1st South Florida 5K Freedom Run and P.A.R.K. Festival in collaboration with the City of Doral, Miami-Dade County and dozens of corporate “P.A.R.K.ners.”

This event will honor and remember those lost during 9/11 and observe its tenth anniversary. It will also provide a magnificent opportunity for the whole community to run, jog or walk next to the military officials, veterans and first responders who protect our freedom every day by honoring their dedication to their service.

The South Florida 5K Freedom Run and P.A.R.K. Festival is a celebration of life and love for service, and at its core, it is simply an act of random kindness by Quincoces; the event will be the group effort of people, companies and organizations that live the cause and P.A.R.K. for the men and women who embody the cause to protect our freedom. One-hundred percent of the proceeds will benefit a variety of military, veteran and first responder charities through the P.A.R.K. Project organization.

“Everyone and anyone can P.A.R.K.! In other words, Perform Acts of Random Kindness,” Quincoces said.

The South Florida 5K Freedom Run and P.A.R.K. Festival will be on Saturday, Sept. 10, at 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. It will be located at JC Bermudez Park, 3000 NW 87th Ave., Doral, FL 33166.

For more event Information, please go to www.parkproject.org, and under the Events Tab, you can register online for the pre-event. The deadline to register online for the South Florida 5K Freedom Run is Friday, Sept. 9, at 2:00 p.m.

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