TAFU founder Mary Fournier poses with students and teacher of a kindergarten class in Uganda. Through the generosity of people in west Michigan, this needy school has been able to triple in size and educate hundreds more students.

To: Africa From: U.s. (TAFU) will hold its first annual 5K walk/run fundraiser on March 24, at 9 a.m. in Greenville.

This 501(c)3 organization was started in 2009 by Cedar Springs teacher Mary Fournier and works to aid needy communities in Africa. “The main things that TAFU works to help are educational needs and water needs,” explained Fournier. “They have installed 3 different water tanks providing water to a few thousand people. They have also provided a computer lab, library, and classroom block for different schools that it works with.”

The event will be held just south of M-57 on Maplewood between Meijer and the Club Fitness center in Greenville.

Fournier said that TAFU is aiming to raise enough money to build a dormitory for a school and provide a sustainable farm with irrigated fields for a village. The aim is high with a goal of $10,000. TAFU did a fundraising event that was similar last year in combining fitness and global awareness and raised nearly this same amount.

“This cause is one of the great things we have the power to embrace and act upon,” according to Fournier. “With our busy lives we lead it is easy to forget how privileged we are in that our homes have electricity and running water. It is easy to forget that our schools provide books, technology, transportation and many other supplies to students. We can certainly do something about it.”

If TAFU meets its fundraising goal with this event, it will have raised over $50,000 total for different projects for the communities it serves.

How to sign up: Go to www.2africafromus.com and click on the register button. The registration is currently $25 but goes up to $30 as of March 1st. You can also register as a volunteer. If a participant works to raise $100 or more from sponsors, they will earn a specialized race t-shirt. See website for details. If you cannot attend the event but still wish to make a donation to TAFU, you may donate on the website or send a check to: To: Africa From: U.s.  P.O. Box 327 Cedar Springs, MI 49319.   If you have questions, contact race director Mary Fournier at 2africafromus@gmail.com