Three sets of racers, one in Austin, one in Becker and one in Haiti, will cross the finish line this month for the same cause: putting a group of children in Haiti through school.

“A lot of people are really excited that we can do something in our community for a global cause,” said Holly Ravenhorst, organizer for the Haitian Hustle.

The Hustle, which will take place in Austin for the first year, debuted in Becker and Haiti last year as a way for Minnesotans to contribute to a faraway cause without needing the time and funds for a trip abroad. Faith Evangelical Free Church is putting on Austin’s side of the race, which takes place Aug. 18 at 8 a.m.

Jesus in Haiti Ministries will run things in Haiti. The group ensures the funds raised will benefit a dozen boys who live with its executive director, Tom Osbeck, plus about 14 boys and girls who live at the Lighthouse Children’s Home. The target is to raise $25,000 between the three races, up from the $10,000 raised last year.

Ravenhorst knows firsthand how much good donating to education can do for children in Haiti.

“I went to Haiti two years ago,” she said, recalling her mission trip. “We went to the orphanage, we visited their schools.”

The 21-person group of congregation members from Faith Church she was part of also played games with the children, sang songs with them and shared the gospel. It’s because of the people she met there that Ravenhorst felt inspired to stay involved in contributing to that area.

“I made a lot of personal relationships in Haiti,” she said, and added that she keeps in touch with them through Facebook and email.

When the mission trip slated for the end of July this year came up, Ravenhorst wanted to participate. But she wasn’t able to make it. So she set her sights on the next best thing: to do something in Austin to contribute.

“When you go on a mission trip, it’s hard when you get back because you want to do so much,” Ravenhorst said. “You don’t have to go overseas … to help these people out.”

She worked with organizers in Becker and Haiti to get Austin involved in the Haitian Hustle.

“One hundred percent of donations are going toward education in Haiti,” said Ravenhorst, adding the money will cover uniforms, tuition and supplies for a year.

But while Ravenhorst couldn’t make the mission trip, high school teacher Jeff Anderson was along for the weeklong mission trip. It was his third to the area.

“We just got back last Friday,” he said. “We were working with the pastors of the church that Jesus in Haiti Ministries works with and doing kids clubs.”

Anderson said it will be his first 5K run, and he has been training for the race since the beginning of July, though he did take a break during the mission trip, thanks to an overwhelming heat index of 115 to 120 each day. He’s been getting back into his regiment now that he’s stateside again.

“I’ve never really been a runner,” he said. “Hopefully I can finish.”

But Anderson isn’t taking on his first 5K alone. His family will be getting involved, too. His wife and one of his sons will sell bracelets brought back from Haiti, and one of his daughters will help with child care for the runners while another daughter runs along with him.

The race will start at Faith Church and head across the street through the neighborhood there. It will do two loops around the neighborhood then return to the church. Ravenhorst said she invited the residents in that area to come out and encourage the runners.

“We’re letting them know they can come out, cheer people and make signs,” she said.

Registration is $20 for the 5K and $10 for the children’s races to follow. Although 121 people have already registered for the event, Ravenhorst said there’s room for plenty more, and she expects a number of people will wait to register until the day of the race.

“We ordered lots of extra T-shirts for people who will register this week, next week or the day of,” she said.

Anderson said a lot of people in the world don’t have access to education like American children do, and this opportunity to help that situation made him eager to get involved.

“Being a teacher, I know the value of education and why these kids need it to be successful in the future,” he said. “Hopefully we can raise a lot of money.”

Participants can register online at www.haitianhustle.com.