University participates in this year’s PARK fest

Destiney Burt/ Staff Writer
news@fiusm.com

Thousands of volunteers are expected to participate in this year’s 5k Perform Acts of Random Kindness Fest in Miami Beach on Nov. 2. The event is held in efforts to raise funds for charity through PARK Project, a non-profit organization.

Marlene Quincoces, also known as Marley Q., is the CEO and founder of PARK. She said she used her philanthropic efforts to create the PARK Project as a way to spread a message to perform acts of random kindness.

“As a philanthropist, it’s something that’s inside your heart. You discover it and nurture it,” said Quincoces. “It’s an inner desire to PARK and be of service for as long as I’m on this Earth.”

The 5K fest was presented by Terra Group, a real estate development company. According to Quincoces, the event was brought about as a way to gather volunteers who aspired to PARK for service men and women on the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

5K participants pay a $40 registration fee of which half is donated to their cause of choice. A festival is included after the event. Everyone has a PARK project of their own, a cause they care about and a way of giving to that cause, said Quincoces.

“It has nothing to do with money, but [it has] everything to do with their heart,” she said.

FIU’s very own Student Affairs Center for Leadership and Service groups will be participating in the event.

Lindsey Goldstein, graduate assistant for the University’s Student Affairs Center for Leadership and Service said that as an office that supports different non-profit organizations, the event will be a great way for everyone to walk together for different causes.

The Student Affairs Center for Leadership and Service includes Dance Marathon, Alternative Breaks, and Relay for Life.

“It’s a great and unique experience to walk for what matters to you and everyone can come together for all their causes,” Goldstein said.

The University’s Alumni Association and its Board of Directors are also teaming up to raise funds. Beatriz Newborn, a coordinator for Alumni Student Programs, said their cause will be FIU student scholarships.

“I’m sure we are going to meet people and learn of a whole new cause we may not have know about,” said Goldstein. “So we are also ambassadors for our causes while we are there.”

Quincoces said she has big plans to expand 5k PARK Fest as an annual national event.

“…and maybe globally one day as one of the most successful fundraising events that [non-profit] organizations can use to raise funds for their mission.”

She anticipates 5,000 participants to PARK and unite the South Florida community and the FIU community.

“PARKers motivate me, it sort of reaffirms that there’s a lot more good in the world if we choose to focus on it and empower it,” she said.

All are welcomed and organizations are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible at 5kPARKFest.org. The event will be held from 6 a.m. to 3:05 p.m. at North Shore Bandshell Collins Ave & 73rd.

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