"Running 4 Wishes"

2011 looks to be an interesting year. My daughter becomes a TeEnAgEr (nothing can ease that anxiety), I turn 40 (enough said on that subject), and last but not least, I will train for and complete the 2012 Walt Disney World's Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge.  Completing a Half Marathon, 13.1 miles on Saturday, January 7, 2012 and a Full Marathon, 26.2 miles on Sunday, January 8, 2012 (curious about why…….see earlier comment about teenage daughter and turning 40).  As a result, I have decided to use my self-diagnosed mid-life crises to benefit something larger than myself.  I want to do something that motivates me each and every day; something that will inspire others to do more even when they think they can’t; but most importantly, I wanted to do something that will directly benefit children.  Therefore, my training will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation® by raising awareness and support.  My goal of raising $15,000 over the next year will grant the wishes of two children with life threatening medical conditions. 

As I begin training for the 2012 Walt Disney World's Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge, I will use my blog, (www.runnning4wishes.blogspot.com) to chronicle this 11 month journey, keep everyone updated on my progress, as well as raising money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana – Indiana region.  If you are interested in helping me reach this goal, there are several ways to do so: 

• A one time donation 
• A once a month donation 
• A once a month donation, based on mileage ran for that month 
• Or any other way you might find suitable. 

Also, there is a link in the upper right hand corner that allows supporters to make donations directly to the Make-A-Wish Foundation® electronically.  Furthermore, this link will allow you to track my progress towards reaching the $15,000 goal on or before January 8, 2012. 

The decision to tackle such a project did not come easily.  I have been debating the idea for sometime, mainly concerned with the possibility of failure.  Then I came across this quote from Jim Valvano, “I think you have to have an enthusiasm for life.  You have to have a dream, a goal. You have to be willing to work for it.”  From that point on, my focus has been clear and my resolve strengthened. Honestly, I’m not sure what to expect over the next 11 months; however, I am confident of the following:

• there will be times of disappointment as well as times of excitement. 
• there will be new friendships made and old friendships renewed. 
• most importantly, two children with life threatening medical conditions will be granted their wish because of your generosity and donations to Make-A-Wish.In closing 

I want to thank each of you for taking time to visit my blog.  Any consideration given towards making a donation or donations is greatly appreciated.  Please check back regularly for updates on my training and our efforts to reach $15,000.  If you would like additional information on the Make-A-Wish Foundation®, please visit their web site at www.makeawishindiana.org.

Thank you and God Bless!!

But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31

* 100% of donations benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation® *

"THE POWER OF 50, MAKING A DIFFERENCE TOGETHER!"

At the time of this blog post, I find myself traveling to northern Indiana to meet with the Lenker family. Their son Matthew was granted a Make-A-Wish on October 10, 2010, his story and pictures can be found under the “Faces of the Make-A-Wish” tab at the top of this blog. In addition, I just received word from Keli Young that her daughter Maeci, received the ALL CLEAR from her doctor. Maeci was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (February 2010), and today, MAECI IS CANCER FREE! Maeci was granted a Make-A-Wish in November of 2010 and traveled to the Magic Kingdom with her good friend Gracie. On February 26, 2010, Gracie Bennett was diagnosed with a stage 2 Oligoastrocytoma, a very rare tumor found mostly in male adults (1.8%) and even more rare in a child. Currently, Gracie is undergoing chemotherapy as part of her treatment plan. You can learn more about Maeci and Gracie and their efforts to give back at www.maeciandgracie.com. 

Maeci Young & Gracie Bennett

Matthew Lenker

What do three these three beautiful childen, with three different medical condtions have in common? Through the magic of an out of this world wish, the Make-A-Wish Foundation gave each family hope, strength and joy while briefly alleviating the stresses of a serious medical condition. Each wish, on average, costs about $7,200 - $7,500, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation grants 1 wish every 40 minutes. Please partner with me to raise $7,500 for this amazing organization. This fundraising effort will allow the Make-A-Wish Foundation the opportunity to grant the wish of one very deserving family. I’m calliing it “THE POWER OF 50, MAKING A DIFFERENCE TOGETHER!” If 50 people will donate $100, we would be two-thirds of the way to our $7,500 goal. I know donating $100 at one time seems very overwhelming and I appreciate your consideration. However, what about $20 / month over the next 6 months? Starting July 1, 2011, I would like to challenge everyone to make a $20 donation on the first of each month (July, 2011 - December 2011) myself included, and help me grant the wish of one child with a life threatening medical condition. I know these are tough economic times and any consideration given towards making a donation is greatly appreciated. My sole intention of “Running 4 Wishes” and the “POWER OF 50, MAKING A DIFFERENCE TOGETHER” is to simply give back, as well as being part of something greater than ourselves.

In closing, thank you for taking the time to read this blog post. I am only three months into this journey and already I feel so blessed. Blessed to be inspired and motivated by three special children (Matthew Lenker, Maeci Young and Gracie Bennett) and I hope, hundreds more.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. I look forward to working with each of you to make “Running 4 Wishes” a success.

Thank You and God Bless!

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

"Running 4 Wishes"

2011 looks to be an interesting year. My daughter becomes a TeEnAgEr (nothing can ease that anxiety), I turn 40 (enough said on that subject), and last but not least, I will train for and complete the 2012 Walt Disney World's Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge.  Completing a Half Marathon, 13.1 miles on Saturday, January 7, 2012 and a Full Marathon, 26.2 miles on Sunday, January 8, 2012 (curious about why…….see earlier comment about teenage daughter and turning 40).  As a result, I have decided to use my self-diagnosed mid-life crises to benefit something larger than myself.  I want to do something that motivates me each and every day; something that will inspire others to do more even when they think they can’t; but most importantly, I wanted to do something that will directly benefit children.  Therefore, my training will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation® by raising awareness and support.  My goal of raising $15,000 over the next year will grant the wishes of two children with life threatening medical conditions. 

As I begin training for the 2012 Walt Disney World's Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge, I will use my blog, (www.runnning4wishes.blogspot.com) to chronicle this 11 month journey, keep everyone updated on my progress, as well as raising money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana – Indiana region.  If you are interested in helping me reach this goal, there are several ways to do so: 

• A one time donation 
• A once a month donation 
• A once a month donation, based on mileage ran for that month 
• Or any other way you might find suitable. 

Also, there is a link in the upper right hand corner that allows supporters to make donations directly to the Make-A-Wish Foundation® electronically.  Furthermore, this link will allow you to track my progress towards reaching the $15,000 goal on or before January 8, 2012. 

The decision to tackle such a project did not come easily.  I have been debating the idea for sometime, mainly concerned with the possibility of failure.  Then I came across this quote from Jim Valvano, “I think you have to have an enthusiasm for life.  You have to have a dream, a goal. You have to be willing to work for it.”  From that point on, my focus has been clear and my resolve strengthened. Honestly, I’m not sure what to expect over the next 11 months; however, I am confident of the following:

• there will be times of disappointment as well as times of excitement. 
• there will be new friendships made and old friendships renewed. 
• most importantly, two children with life threatening medical conditions will be granted their wish because of your generosity and donations to Make-A-Wish.In closing 

I want to thank each of you for taking time to visit my blog.  Any consideration given towards making a donation or donations is greatly appreciated.  Please check back regularly for updates on my training and our efforts to reach $15,000.  If you would like additional information on the Make-A-Wish Foundation®, please visit their web site at www.makeawishindiana.org.

Thank you and God Bless!!

But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31

* 100% of donations benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation® *

Get to know me.....................

This blog entry will be short, sweet and hopefully informative!  Being new to the blogging and running community and having met some really supportive people, I would like to provide everyone an opportunity to get to know me a little better.  Simply post a question you would like answered and I will answer that question at my earliest convenience.  Afterwards, feel free to offer a rebuttal question for follow up or to learn something new.  I can't begin to express how thankful I am for your advice, support, and encouragement.  I hope that through this journey I call "Running 4 Wishes," I can motivate and inspire others like I have been inspired by all of you.  

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every 

spiritual blessing in Christ."

Ephesians 1:3

"Running 4 Wishes"

2011 looks to be an interesting year. My daughter becomes a TeEnAgEr (nothing can ease that anxiety), I turn 40 (enough said on that subject), and last but not least, I will train for and run my first marathon, the Walt Disney World Marathon on January 8, 2012 (curious about why…….see earlier comment about teenage daughter and turning 40).  As a result, I have decided to use my self-diagnosed mid-life crises to benefit something larger than myself.  I want to do something that motivates me each and every day; something that will inspire others to do more even when they think they can’t; but most importantly, I wanted to do something that will directly benefit children.  Therefore, my training will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation® by raising awareness and support.  My goal of raising $15,000 over the next year will grant the wishes of two children with life threatening medical conditions. 

As I begin training for the Walt Disney World Marathon, I will use my blog, (www.runnning4wishes.blogspot.com) to chronicle this 11 month journey, keep everyone updated on my progress, as well as raising money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana – Indiana region.  If you are interested in helping me reach this goal, there are several ways to do so: 

• A one time donation 
• A once a month donation 
• A once a month donation, based on mileage ran for that month 
• Or any other way you might find suitable. 

Also, there is a link in the upper right hand corner that allows supporters to make donations directly to the Make-A-Wish Foundation® electronically.  Furthermore, this link will allow you to track my progress towards reaching the $15,000 goal on or before January 8, 2012. 

The decision to tackle such a project did not come easily.  I have been debating the idea for sometime, mainly concerned with the possibility of failure.  Then I came across this quote from Jim Valvano, “I think you have to have an enthusiasm for life.  You have to have a dream, a goal. You have to be willing to work for it.”  From that point on, my focus has been clear and my resolve strengthened. Honestly, I’m not sure what to expect over the next 11 months; however, I am confident of the following:

• there will be times of disappointment as well as times of excitement. 
• there will be new friendships made and old friendships renewed. 
• most importantly, two children with life threatening medical conditions will be granted their wish because of your generosity and donations to Make-A-Wish.In closing 

I want to thank each of you for taking time to visit my blog.  Any consideration given towards making a donation or donations is greatly appreciated.  Please check back regularly for updates on my training and our efforts to reach $15,000.  If you would like additional information on the Make-A-Wish Foundation®, please visit their web site at www.makeawishindiana.org.

Thank you and God Bless!! 

But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:31

* 100% of donations benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation® *

"Running 4 Wishes" March Madness Challenge

This March I would like to challenge everyone in two different ways: 1) tell all your friends and family about "Running 4 Wishes" both our Facebook page and the blog (www.running4wishes.blogspot.com); and 2) encourage everyone to make some kind of donation and remember every little bit helps (100 people making a $20 donation would equal $2,000). Together, we can accomplish the following: 1) reach 100 followers/supporters and 1) topple the $2,500 mark by the end of the month.

Lastly, I know these are tough economic times and any consideration given towards making a donation is greatly appreciated. My sole intention is to grant the wishes of two central Indiana children with a life threatening medical condition. Through the magic of an out of this world wish the Foundation gives a family hope, strength and joy to briefly alleviate the stress of a serious medical condition.

Thank you for your efforts and continued support, it is appreciated.
GOD BLESS and ALWAYS LOVE LIFE!!