UNRWA USA’s Director of Philanthropy Hani Almadhoun reflects on our latest Gaza 5K in the Bay Area on October 1st. The Gaza 5K was a huge success, which came as a pleasant surprise for our team as there has been a five-year hiatus since the last San Francisco event. The California wildfires coupled with the pandemic have kept UNRWA USA’s Gaza 5Ks within the virtual space, but we are ecstatic to finally be back with our supporters on the West Coast. 

“Maybe they don’t care about Palestine anymore…”

“Maybe COVID-19 changed people’s appetite for events…”

“Darn it, it's the economy…” 

“Maybe we overestimated our connection to the Bay Area…”

These were some intrusive thoughts that found their way into my head two weeks before our Gaza 5K was set to take place in the Bay Area. 

I kept dwelling on why the numbers weren’t higher.

Behind the scenes, our team worked thoughtfully to build a compelling program. We picked a centrally located gorgeous park by the beach (reminiscent of Gaza), spoke to community leaders, and advertised on grassroots levels and high levels. A few of us made prep trips to reconnect in person with the community. I personally flew out and visited 75 local businesses owned by Palestinians to get a buzz going. We distributed thousands of postcards.

I was anxiously sweating bullets. What if this event fails? How will we fund the mental health program in Gaza? 

But then, something happened…

400 people registered.

…..hold that intrusive thought, this thing isn’t dead!

Then another hundred joined.

……now, this is something! 

Then another two hundred signed up.

…..now we have a Gaza 5K! 

We were suddenly getting closer to our targets and donations began coming in fast, the fundraising by registrants followed. The excitement was building up and it was contagious. 

First, we were 30%, 50%, and 70% toward our Bay Area Gaza 5K goal, and then as close as even 90%! 

I was filled with immense gratitude to see the Bay Area taking up NYC’s Gaza 5K torch and running with it. The community was showing up for Palestine refugees and it was heartwarming to see people from all over the area join us to support mental health services in Gaza. 

Our team flew out to California nearly a week before the big race to host a number of events and was overjoyed with all the love for Palestine we witnessed in the Bay Area. 

We are happiest for the refugee school children in Gaza who will get the mental health resources they need to make sense of their world. Due to violence and poverty, children in Gaza experience severe depression, anxiety, and even post-traumatic stress disorder. The Gaza 5K ensures that UNRWA mental health counselors continue to be available to help mitigate trauma, and symptoms, and allow for healing and recovery. 

I give my deepest and heartfelt appreciation to all the people who showed up, the people who enthusiastically spread the word, the people who diligently solicited donations, and of course the people who walked and ran with us -- all 800 of them on that sunny San Mateo fall morning. 

While understandably, some people only give during the holidays because it lifts their spirits. You, along with our community, have given when Palestine refugee families needed your financial support the most, no matter when or where- and for that, we thank you with all our hearts. Bay Area, we’ll be back!

See our official photos and tag whoever you know!