Success!

Hello World!

The RunningBrooke kick off party was a success!  The last thunderstorm passed through Alexandria about 5 and it poured and poured until 5:30 then, we could see sudden blue skies.  So we dried everything off, brought the patio cushions back out and set up the bar.  Ready by 6!

65+ friends and neighbors came over and RunningBrooke now seems official with the party behind me and even more money raised.  I'll update my website when I get the next fundraising total from Alexandria Community Trust(ACT).  But I know the numbers are growing; with 2 recent $1000.00 checks and many more of other generous amounts!

For those of you weren't able to make the party and for those of your who loved my speech so much that you want to read it this time  :)  here it is...

RunningBrooke Speech

Hi Everybody!  I'd like to make a few remarks.  First, I'm so pleased that you are all here and so excited about the RunningBrooke fund.  As you know, I've tried to transform my passion for running into a fundraising effort to benefit charities in Alexandria.  So far, it's gone very well, with over $10,000 raised.  Thanks for your support.  I appreciate it very much.  Let me give you a little background.

Basically, I've committed to running a marathon on every continent, each of the 50 states and the 5 marathon majors, all to raise money for needy Alexandrians and to bring awareness to what each of us could be doing to help.  I'm so excited to be putting my passion to good use.  But let me back up a bit...  I started running because, at the time, I had three little kids at home and I just had to get out of the house and go somewhere no could follow me!  Sometime later, a friend -- who knew running a marathon was on my life list -- go me into the the Marine Corps Marathon.  I remember my initial goal was just to finish without hurting myself!  And I remember finishing that marathon with 'gas in the tank' and a desire to do it better and faster the next time...  Then the goal was qualifying for Boston and when that became not such a big deal, I began to look for a new reason to run; and that was where the idea for RunningBrooke came from.  Since 2002, I've run the Marine Corps Marathon twice, Boston four times, Chicago, New York and Richmond, VA marathons and now with the inception of RunningBrooke, two international ones, Berlin, Germany and Easter Island, Chile -- where I was the female winner and 5th overall!  These were some of the best experiences, ever.  Next on the calendar is the Steamtown, PA marathon in October, the JFK 50 miler in November, the Goofy Challenge at Disney in January -- it is a half marathon on Saturday and a full marathon on Sunday, and if you register and complete both, you'll get 3 medals.  I'll go anywhere to get 3 medals in one weekend!  And finally, the London marathon in April.  I haven't planned any further out than that, but the London marathon will complete the 5 marathon category:  London, Berlin, Boston, New York and Chicago.

Essentially, I am asking supporters to  match my commitment to running with their own commitment to charity.  All the money I raise goes to Alexandria Community Trust called ACT.  I pay all of my own expenses.  A board member of ACT is here.  Jean, would you mind saying a few words about ACT?

Thanks Jean and thank you everybody for being here and supporting my program.  I have some additional RunningBrooke materials here if you are curious.  Now it is time for a little food and drink.  Cheers and it is a beautiful day for a run!

The group all ran hard today  (20 miler)  along the C & O canal through high humidity, drizzle then downpour.  We got 'er in though!  Cheers and it was a beautiful day for a run!

RunningBrooke