Still tired and a little overwhelmed, right now, with this RunningBrooke effort. But feeling good. Just want to get caught up in life ;D
Wednesday, was the 2010 Kickoff Party -- St. Patty's Style. Irish Beers, Green Foods -- kind of hard to do -- and Lucky Charms...
We had about 75 people, and raised OVeR $10,000.00 for women and children in the City of Alexandria!
Below is my speech from that night. Heartfelt and true. Cheers! It is a beautiful day for a run...
Hi Everyone, welcome. Chris and I are so glad that you are here tonight. Thanks for coming...
I'm Brooke, AKA RunningBrooke, AKA, ambassador of Alexandria - a title bestowed by Mayor Euille...
Most of you know that I've committed to running a marathon on every continent, in each of the 50 states and the 5 marathon majors -- one marathon a month.
But, some of you may not know why, or how all of this got started...
Basically, I started running:
- turned 30, had three kids and had to get out of the house. Fresh Air, time alone, peace and quiet, where no one could follow me...
- had a life list, and running a marathon was on this list...
- 9/11 happened and I figured that I better hurry up...
So, in 2002, I ran my my first marathon (MCM), with the initial goal of just finishing, without hurting myself. But when I crossed that line with 'gas in the tank,' I resolved to run another marathon, better, and faster. I did. Then the goal was qualifying for Boston, which I did, and continued to do. And then when running Boston became 'no big deal,' the goal was breaking a 3:10 marathon, which FINALLY I did after 4 tries, last October, at Steamtown, PA.
But you see, ironically, the faster I got, the better the runner I became, the less my running, meant to me.
After so many miles -- I estimate that I've run well over 6,000 -- and so many marathons -- 19.
I was looking to put meaning back into my running...
You see, after all these miles, I realized that LIFE is not all about me, my pace, and how fast I run. It is about what I can do to make a difference, to make Alexandria a better place.
That's when I came up with this idea: if I can commit to some ridiculous -- but achievable -- goal, I can legitimately ask generous people I know to match my commitment through charitable giving...
So in May of 2009, I partnered with ACT for Alexandria, started the RunningBrooke Fund and raised over $22,000 in the remainder of the year. 2009 took me around the world from Easter Island, Chile -- where I broke the tape as I was the first female finisher -- and across many states -- and included one 50 mile race -- the historic JFK50.
In February of 2010, I granted most of that money -- $20,000 -- to Child and Family Network Centers. It was incredibly, incredibly gratifying to me to touch so many lives!
LOOK AROUND AND SEE THE PICTURES of all the smiling faces the day I granted that money. Because:
--That meant that 36 kids and their families continued to receive services:
FREE Preschool, FREE ESL classes, FREE job training and social services, like hearing and vision screening. This is where your donation money is going.
In 2010, I started with a new goal. To raise $50,000.
I started the year by contacting local Alexandria businesses to gain sponsorship. These businesses 'laced up their shoes' and committed $1k a year for the next 5 years. That means that the RunningBrooke Fund starts out each year with a healthy 10k in the bank. I'd like to take a minute to recognize them now... And if you'd raise your hand as I call your name, please...
-- Murray Bonitt with Bonitt Builders, Shawn McLaughlin with McLaughlin Ryder Investments, Mark Anderson with Mark Anderson Consultants, Kathy Dalby with Pacers Events, a division of Pacers running stores, Mike McNair with McNair Travel, TJ Fannon with TJ Fannon & Sons, Sean McEanerney and McEanerney Associates. And I just learned tonight that Kerry Donley and Virginia Commerce Bank came through too. Please take a minute to talk and say thanks to them.
In short, here is our pact our our community. I do all the training and running. I pay all my travel expenses and entry fees. You reciprocate -- and REALLY make a tangible difference -- by opening up your checkbook and showing your commitment to the community. Remember, your donation is 100% tax deductible and 100% of your donation goes to an Alexandria charity.
Again, thanks for coming. You're support means a lot to me and a lot to the community!
I'll close with a little Irish poem.
As you slide down the banister of life,
May the splinters never point in the wrong direction!
Cheers. It is a beautiful day for a run!
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment