Tico Casamayor, Jerry Menendez among Connection Awards winners

Featured By Linda Trischitta, Editor Thursday, June 19, 2025

     Two leaders of the Miami Lakes Chamber of Commerce were among 25 South Florida recipients of Connection Awards on May 1. Jerry Menendez, at left, vice president of the chamber, is senior vice president, Retail Market manager...

Alexis Garcia successfully completes 'Across Cuba' run

Community Wednesday, January 6, 2016

 

Cuban native Alexis Garcia recently competed his Run Across Cuba marathon, a 1,000-mile run from Punta de Maisi to Cabo de San Antonio in 35 days to help raise money to buy kids shoes in his poverty-stricken homeland.

The Miami Lakes resident and physical education teacher at Miami Lakes K-8 Center raised money through the Dreamchaser Foundation, and parents dropped off more than 60 pair of sneakers at the school as part of the fund-raiser.

Garcia, 53, ran 30 miles per day to reach his goal, as he reflected on his 55-hour experience to come to the United States on a make-surf boat 23 years ago but never forgotten where he came from or his roots.

“I want to raise as much money as I can to buy running sneakers for as many Cuban children as possible, hopefully all of them,” he said. “I know from real life experience anything is possible. I want to show every child in Cuba dreams really can come true.”