My senior year in high school, I had the privilege of getting to know a young Haitian college student. Over a period of several months, we would spend time together doing the things teenagers did. And during this time, I would learn a great deal about his family, his dreams, and the importance of cultural differences.

Fast forward fifteen years and three thousand miles northwest:

I began working at a casino and met Dustin. After about a year and a half, neither of us was employed there anymore. Dustin and his family were leaving the area. I attended his going away party held at a local bar. At this party I was introduced to, Kristina. Kristina and I immediately hit it off. Over the next several months we became good friends.

Being like minded and such, Kristina and I have a mutual love for Facebook. This is how I met Robin, a friend of Kristina’s. Robin and I would engage in long comical conversations on Kristina’s Facebook page until we finally decided to befriend one another. With this friendship came the beginning of my humanitarian efforts.Robin does amazing things for others and it is rather inspiring. Thus she suggested I befriend two other people, Eric Klein and Shannon DeWitt; two important people who do a lot of wonderful things with two very wonderful organizations.

When the devastating earthquake rocked Haiti it was only days before the organizations Eric and Shannon are associated with and even Eric and Shannon themselves were in Haiti assisting with relief efforts. Robin was signed up to assist the following month.

Before long,I had found my old friend on Facebook. He and his family are safe. I plan to volunteer my assistance in Haiti at the earliest possible time.

Fifteen years, thousands of miles, a very popular social website, and everything came full circle.