Just before noon on Martin Luther King Day, students trickled into the studio wielding yoga mats and donations. By the time class started, the room was bursting at the seams with folks who showed up to support relief efforts in Haiti. The lovely Debbie Steingesser taught a vibrant yoga class to the rhythmic drumming of musician Marla Leigh. Practicing with us was our special guest, Jennifer Pantaléon who runs Zanmi Lakay, a local non-profit dedicated to helping homeless and formally homeless children in Haiti. With an unwavering devotion, Jennifer has traveled there for years to work with street children, along with her Haitian husband Guy. At the end of Debbie’s heart warming class, Jen shared stories that were coming to her and Guy via Haitian friends and family in the aftermath of the earthquake. As she spoke, eyes began tear up and the collective warmth of our community was palpable. It’s a good thing to come together and support people who need us. We helped raise over $1000 for Haiti that day which Zanmi Lakay will put directly to use helping Haitians in distress. Jen & Guy make there way to Haiti on Monday, January 25th, through the Dominican Republic. Your donations continue to come in and I know that this financial support will be used wisely and earnestly for people who desperately need it. Thank you to all who participated!  If you would like to follow Zanmi Lakay’s endeavors in Haiti, visit their blog: www.ZanmiLakayBlog.org Donations to Zanmi Lakay can be made online via their website: www.zanmilakay.org