Top Left: KW Declares Race Day Victory Top Right: The KWRI Team Working Packet Pick-up Bottom Left: Super Selfie with Gilbert Tuhabonye Bottom Right: Rise and Shine KW
What a morning?!? The alarm clock went off early, too early for a Sunday morning but it was worth it! Keller Williams Realty was the title sponsor for Run for the Water. Hundreds of Keller Williams family members gathered with thousands of Austinites to rally behind the Gazelle Foundation, whose mission is to improve the quality of life for people in Burundi by providing access to clean water. More than 4,524 participants signed up to run and walk either a 5K or a 10 miler, including children who participated in a 1K – super cute!
Gilbert Tuhabonye
Gilbert Tuhabonye is considered a local celebrity for his leadership in the Austin running world. While now living the American dream with a wife, two kids, a successful running business, Gilbert’s Gazelles, and a large charitable foundation, his run to what he has now was not so picturesque. Gilbert was raised in a small East African village in Burundi. Resources were scarce and villagers had to walk miles for drinking water, which was often dirty and infested with disease. What was more horrific than the scarcity of resources was the war between the Tutsi and Hutu tribes. In 1993, while Gilbert was in school, Hutu tribesmen, including parents, teachers, and students, brutally beat and burned the Tutsi students and teachers. Gilbert was already an accomplished runner and used his gift of running to save his life. Gilbert recently shared his story at a Keller Williams Realty International staff meeting. There was not a sound in the room as Gilbert described his thoughts as he ran through mountains and plains after being burned and beaten. He knew that if he kept running, he would survive. He did more than survive, Gilbert is thriving!
Keller Williams Realty and Run for the Water
Keller Williams is proud of our eight-year relationship with Run for the Water! Our corporate team and Austin market center associates and leadership look forward to this day each year. Leading up to the race, our family members can be found working packet pick-up and other volunteer duties. This morning, the day of, we are there in full affect. After Gilbert and Keller Williams Realty President Mary Tennant welcomed the crowd, Keller Williams Southwest Market Center Team Leader Melanie Kennemann sang the Star-Spangled Banner. Then we were off! Ninety minutes later, through sweat and smiles, we declared victory for finishing the race (making sure our corporate wellness manager noticed)!
The Real Victory
The race raised approximately $43,000, providing clean water for more than 6,200 Burundians. #BOOM Keller Williams Realty: Locally based, globally minded, and dedicated to improving communities!
Tags: Austin, Burundi, Community, Gilbert Tuhabonye, Gilbert's Gazelles, Keller Williams Realty, Run for the Water, Volunteering, Wellness
