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!!!).
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
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
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
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
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