Some of you may know that I've recently been bitten by the running bug and now have a bad case of total addiction. My friend, Stefanie, and I run every other morning at 5:30AM (YAWN)! We have decided to runt he Anthem 1/2 Marathon in March! This 1/2 is part of the Shamrock weekend of events here in Virginia Beach.
I've decided to run the 1/2 for charity. The Shamrock has selected 2 charities to donate to. The first one, Operation Smile, is an international charity located right here in Hampton Roads. OpSmile (as it is called locally) has provided over 200,000 free surgeries repairing cleft palates, cleft lips, and facial deformities on children and young adults around the world (60 countries to be exact). OpSmile believes that a 45 minute surgery can change the life of a child forever...so do I. Check out the website, www.operationsmile.org. Grab your tissues, the pictures are heartbreaking.
The second charity, Preston's March for Energy, is one I had never heard of. After looking into it I am convinced the Shamrock Race Coordinators really know how to pick 'em. Preston, 12, has Mitochondrial Disease. Leaving him completely exhausted and off balance 100% of the time. He's not able to participate in PE, recess, or any physical activity. Although mentally healthy, he is at a huge risk for childhood obesity because of his physical inabilities. he was give a bike to adapt to his physical limitations. This bike, a cool $2,200, allows him to play with his older brother, exercise, and be "normal" without the physical setbacks. Preston's parents started his non-profit to raise money for other kids just like Preston. Because with this disease the biggest roadblock is the cost of SAFE exercise.
Are you still reading? I hope so because this is where I need you. Please, click the link below, donate a few bucks. Any amount will do. I cannot tell you how grateful I am, Preston will be, and any number of children in underprivileged countries will be. Thanks to us we can give a little (or a lot) and make a difference...
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_donations&business=E4JAQAK292BQ6&lc=US&item_name=Anthem%20Half%20Fundraising¤cy_code=USD&bn=PP%2dDonationsBF%3abtn_donateCC_LG%2egif%3aNonHosted
Thank you so much for your generosity. I cannot wait to run and to know I'm doing it for such a great cause really makes it that much better. I'll keep ya'll posted...The big day is March 18th!
PS I did the paypal link on my own. I stink at technology. Please let me know if it doesn't work. I'm so clueless.
