Running for a Cause

I think most of us have heard the Bible verse "For unto whomever much is given, of him shall much be required."  On average, Americans give approximately $300 Billion dollars to charity per year.  Roughly half of this is to religious organization.  The other half goes to thousands of charitable organizations as diverse as the American public.  Even ifnthese tough economic times, America remains a country of givers.  For that we should all be proud. 

Training for marathons (and other races) is grueling.  Anyone who tells yu that it's fun running 20 mile long runs on weekends in 100 degrees weather or in 20 degree weather is slightly craz :-)Sometimes it take just a little bit extra to motivate ourselves to get out and do the required training.  Runners are also a giving community.  Many runners I know take the opportunity, during their training,  to raise awareness and money for the charity of their choice.  Maybe it’s for a loved one who passed away for or who continues to fight any number of diseases.  Maybe it is for friends/family who protect this nation by serving in the Armed Forces.  Maybe still it’s for people around the world who are less fortunate than we. 

Over the last 5 years I have been the beneficiary of the generosity of friends, family, co-workers and complete strangers. I have raised money close to $10, 000 for the United Services  Organization (USO) while I trained for the Marine Corps Marathon in 2008, 2009, 2010 2011.  Earlier this year I raised approximately $1,200 for Team Hope for the Warriors while training for the Shamrock Marathon. I have receiveddonations from $5 to $500.  All the money has gone to organizations and causes I believe in stongly, and that I know will use it wisely.

It is strange for me to not currently be training for a marathon, or to be actively raising money for the USO.  I guarantee that will change soon (Team USO – MCM 2012!!!). 

That said I wanted to take the opportunity to use my blog/platform to let you know about a few of my friends who ARE training and raising.  I have even added a little international flavor to the mix.   I hope you take the time to look at each of these pages and why the individual passionate enough about the cause to run and raise money for them.  If you see one that catches your interest and you decide to make a contribution then all the better!   

Boston Marathon – April 16, 2012 

Ally, Lori and Kate are all friends of mine from the on-line community called Daily Mile.  Each of them is running the Boston Marathon for charity. 

Ally is running with Miles for Miracles to benefit the Children’s Hospital of Boston 

http://howtohelp.childrenshospital.org/bostonmarathon/page/Ally-Speirs.htm

Lori is running for Team Rett  to benefit the Rett Syndrome Association   

http://www.crowdrise.com/TeamRett/fundraiser/lorimitchener

Kate is running the Dana Farber Marathon Challenge to benefit Dana Farber   

http://www.rundfmc.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=484862&supid=107500486

Madrid Marathon – April 22, 2012

My friend James has been raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of America for as long as I can remember.  In the past he has competed in triathlons.  Madrid is his FIRST marathon.  James is running with Team inTtraining to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of America 

http://pages.teamintraining.org/nca/madrid12/jbrandell

London Marathon – April 22, 2012

Sasha is my international friend.  She is running her first marathon in London (where her family lives).  Sasha is running to benefit  the Chai Cancer Center and UNICEF

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=SashaRunsLondon

And don't worry, you will be hearing from me about Team USO in a couple of months!