RSF student bikes to raise funds for Haiti

By Sara Mark, intern

Solana Santa Fe fifth-grader Matthew Tarasen.

After hearing about the tragedy that occurred in Haiti more than three weeks ago, Solana Santa Fe fifth-grader Matthew Tarasen wanted to do his part in helping the relief effort.
“We were listening to the radio and he heard someone on air talk about how people were doing surgeries with hacksaws in the streets and using alcohol as a way to clean the wounds,” said his mom, Tanya Samuel. “He immediately asked me if he could donate all the money he had in his bank to the victims.”
But the $61 that he had saved wasn’t enough for him and Matthew began to brainstorm different ways he could raise more money. Recalling the boy in London who had recently ridden his bike for donations, Matthew decided that he could do a similar fundraiser in Fairbanks Ranch. Choosing the Red Cross as the organization that would receive the funds, Matthew and his mom began designing and publicizing the solo 5-mile bike ride that he has scheduled for Feb. 5. Each donation comes in the form of a sponsorship, with each donor giving whatever amount they choose. In order to ensure that each cent that he earns goes directly to the Haiti relief effort, Matthew is only taking donations through checks that are made out directly to the Red Cross.
With more than $1,000 raised already, Matthew has no intention to slow down with his efforts to help Haiti. Going door-to-door asking for donations and sending out e-mails to friends and family, the 10-year old is not only thankful for the money that he has raised but for the lessons that he has learned along the way.
“Doing this has really taught me the importance of helping people,” said Matthew. “I just want to do whatever I can to help.”
For more information, go to http://www.wix.com/matthewryantarasen/MatthewHelpsHaiti
To donate, please send a check made out to “Red Cross” to: Matthew Tarasen, PO Box 9790, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067.