…..damnit, I wish I had a drum roll or something. Anyway, I’m going to Haiti!
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| From Mission 29.2’s Facebook Page |
So here is the deal! I’ve been itching for an adventure for awhile. As you know if you’ve been a reader for awhile, I truly crave adventures, and typically the more off-the-beaten-path, the better. Since our company closes in the winter, I typically have some time to travel or play, assuming I can come up with the funds to do so. I went to Hawaii last year to visit my sis, so this year I wanted to do something different.
I put out a tweet, asking anyone if they had any suggestions for a grand adventure for me. Let me tell you: I got some AWESOME suggestions. Bike touring through Zambia. Climbing Kilimanjaro through Big City Mountaineers. A month-long rafting trip. All of these were awesome, but I hadn’t quite found “the one” until I received this tweet from Mission 29.2:
Naturally, this tweet piqued my interest, so I contacted Mission 29.2. We communicated, I thought about it for 48 hours (hey, that’s improvement for me! At least I didn’t say yes on the spot!), and then I sent them my deposit on Friday. I’m going to Haiti!
Let me tell you the deal: Mission 29.2 is a Chicago-based non-profit that organizes 29.2 mile runs in developing communities, such as Haiti. The run is used as a launching point to develop awareness for the educational needs in the community. As most of you know, Haiti has been a country in need of assistance long before the earthquake in 2010, but even more so after the fact.
So what am I going to do? I’m going to head down there in January, 2013, with a group of other volunteers/runners and do whatever is needed. From what I gather now, we’ll spend some time at an orphanage, maybe take the kids to the beach, and visit a clinic. We’ll meet up with a lot of the Haitians who are planning on running the race, and this part of the trip is still hazy for me. Would I like to run all 29.2 miles? Of course, but an ultra runner, I am not! Well, at least not yet, anyway! I imagine I’ll decide the morning of, but I will definitely run some of it.
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| From Mission 29.2’s Facebook page |
However, I more interested in working with the people and helping them in whatever way I possibly can. Obviously, as a grad student studying education, I value its importance and truly believe that accessibility to education is a critical component to future success. These kiddos deserve that opportunity and I’d like to help them attain it.
And…that’s where y’all come in! Want to know how you can help?!
I am going to be doing some fundraising for this trip. I’d like to clarify up front that this fundraising is not, in any way, funding my trip– I am paying for my cost and airfare on my own. Instead, any money I raise will go directly towards the two affiliated schools in Ounaminthe. Any money I raise will give these kids a leg up and help them stand a chance at a more successful future.
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| From Mission 29.2’s Facebook Page |
Option A:
Guys, I am the first to admit that I HATE asking people for money…it’s so freaking awkward. However, I really believe in this. I know that no one has a lot of extra money these days, but if you are able to donate anything–even just $1!– between now and January, please hop on over here and submit your donation. Just be sure to include my name in the notes section so they know you love me! And don’t worry– I’m sure I’ll mention this again in the coming months, so if you can’t donate anything right now, I’ll remind you later 🙂
Option B:
If you don’t have any money to donate, maybe you have some used running shoes or gear that you are looking to get rid of? Shoes are an issue down there, and some of the Haitians that run this race end up cruising through all 29.2 miles in Toms. Can you imagine? If you have any old running shoes, Fuel Belts, etc, please let me know and I will get them down there with me. Just shoot me a quick email or leave me a note in the comments, and we’ll figure it out!