OKLAHOMA CITY — Nearly 100 people participated in the “Hearts for Haiti” walk-a-thon Saturday at Crossroads Mall in Oklahoma City.

The walk-a-thon raised $840.24 for the Red Cross Haiti Relief Fund, which is helping the earthquake-ravaged nation.

Broadcasting and electronic media senior Jourdan Selim-Guyton, founder of Haiti Helpers, said she had been worried about low attendance due to rescheduling of the event. Yet, as people came to register and gear up for the walk, Selim-Guyton’s face lit up with excitement.

“I’m just so happy.” Selim-Guyton said.

Registration took place in Crossroad Mall’s performance area. Walkers, guided by hearts on the ground, lapped around the mall’s second floor for however long they wanted. Each lap was half a mile. Walkers wore red, blue or yellow ribbons to represent Haiti’s flag.

People came to both volunteer and walk for many different reasons.

Linda Kiselburgh, retired aircraft mechanic for Tinker Air Force Base, said she regularly participates in walk-a-thons for different causes,

“You get good exercise, burn calories and it’s going towards a good cause,” she said. “I feel sorry for the people in Haiti. Can you imagine? Some people were probably sleeping or sitting like we are in this mall. All of a sudden the roof comes down on you.”

Scott Hodgson, media arts professor, said he had wanted to do something to aid Haiti and Saturday’s event was a “great chance to do it.”

“It’s great to see a student with passion,” said Hodgson, one of Selim-Guyton’s professors. “Organizing an event like this is a long-term, positive project.”

Calligraphy engraver Christy Morgan gave walkers and volunteers what she called “smile stones” — hearts with the engraving “Hearts for Haiti 2010.”

“I was hoping to generate excitement and enthusiasm,” she said.

The walkers made an impression on Andenesha Kemp, psychology senior, who was helping people to register.

“I think it’s cool how many came because it was rescheduled,” Kemp said. ”I think it’s also cool to see how diverse the groups are.”

Alisa Baez, Red Cross employee representative, said she has been moved by Haiti relief efforts but knows helping Haiti is far from over.

“The American people have pulled together and have donated a great amount,” she said. “We have raised over $200 million, we have spent $73,000, but the relief effort will take years to fund.”

Once every walker was done, Selim-Guyton asked walkers to sign their names on hearts and tape them to a long “Hearts for Haiti” banner.

“I just want people to feel like they have done something,” Selim-Guyton said.