At the end of 2019, I was given the honor to partner with an organization called Many Hopes through the 124th running of the 2020 Boston Marathon. Although the race was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I was still able to raise more than $5,000 for Many Hopes.
This year, I have been given the same incredible honor and privilege to run the 125th Boston Marathon and partner again with Many Hopes with the goal of $10,000.
Many Hopes began with a little girl in Kenya named Gift.
Today, Gift is in college and Many Hopes is partnering with visionary local leaders in six countries in Africa and Latin America. We believe there are hundreds of thousands more stories just like Gift’s and we invite you to help us find and write them. The average donation is about $120, but just $10 allows Many Hopes to continue forward.
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Thankfully, with other core donors providing administrative funds, 100% of your donation will go towards the children and the mission of Many Hopes. Overall, my $10,000 goal can provide full care (home and school) for 29 children for 1 month or provide full care for 3 children for an entire year. This donation goes towards rescue, housing, nutrition, equipping, and educating each child and is 100% tax-deductible. Like Gift, there are many others already pursuing influence in their communities. Together we are equipping girls and boys around the world with the influence they need to defeat the injustice they survived. Join us and set the next great story in motion. Thank you for your consideration and support.
Why I Run
Reason #1 – I run to love. I simply want to extend love beyond boundaries and geographic location. I love that I can run in Indiana and make a difference 8,000 miles away in Kenya (and around the globe). As a follower of Christ, I simply want to love others well. I want to love in a practical way and display the love of Christ through the work Many Hopes is pursuing worldwide.
Reason #2 – I run as a mental health professional. I have seen firsthand the damage and aftermath that trauma and abuse can have on a child and how it can cross generations. I was grateful to see that Many Hopes focuses on the caring for the whole child and provides mental and emotional healing as well as physical, nutritional, and educational needs.
Reason # 3 – I run as a father with two daughters. I long to see my girls thrive in every way they possibly can. I strive to provide the opportunities for them to develop into strong, loving, influential women one day. In the same way, I long for these children to know love, to know comfort and support. I long to see these children grow up and become leaders within their communities and to continue to fight injustice to lead to influence.
Reason #4 – I run as a husband to a teacher. I know just how hard teachers work and how vital their role is to the development and success of a child. Many Hopes believes that education changes everything. They believe
all children should have access to excellent schooling with pedagogy that equips them to solve problems, not merely memorize information.
Fact: For every additional year of education for women of reproductive age, child mortality decreases by 9.5%.
Reason # 5 – I run as…a runner. 2020 was a challenging, but growing year for me as a runner. Running became FUN for me (weird, I know). I absolutely loved the opportunity to run for something beyond myself. Through this process, I set personal bests for my 5k, 10k, half marathon and full marathon!
I am looking forward to seeing the good we can do in 2021! Join me in moving from injustice to influence.
