I have all sorts of goals with Operation Jack. One is to raise money, of course. Another is to motivate people to get off the couch and live a healthier lifestyle. But above all, the reason I’m doing this is to help grow Train 4 Autism. I really believe in the way Train 4 Autism works, and I want to try to plant the seeds that will cultivate long-term growth. Well, I think I see a flower blooming down in Mississippi!
Two or three months ago, a woman in Meridian, Mississippi Googled “marathon relay” and came across Operation Jack. She registered with the site, told me how much she admired what I’m doing and started following along. When I went on some of my emotional roller coasters late last year, she chimed in and reminded me that I needed to keep my head up.
I ended up meeting her and her husband at a group dinner the night before the Mississippi Blues Marathon earlier this month. They’re both incredibly nice and she’s still one of my biggest supporters. She doesn’t really have any connection to me or autism. She’s just here because she somehow came across what I’m doing and she believes in me.
Well, much to my surprise, she dropped me an email last week asking what’s involved with leading a chapter. The answer to that question is basically whatever you want to make it out to be. If you want to join our volunteer army, Uncle Sam wants you! Or something like that. Anyways, running a chapter is not my strength. My strength is running a marathon to help generate attention for Train 4 Autism, and then running another marathon for Train 4 Autism, and then … yeah, repeat until I count to 60 and then go on vacation.
But we have people who know what it takes and will do whatever it takes to help. It’s not an overwhelming commitment. It’s just an opportunity to chip in a little to help the cause. You don’t have to be a superstar runner. Heck, you don’t have to be a runner. You don’t even have to be the parent of a child with autism.
One of our founders said, I have an extreme amount of respect and admiration for those that are not parents of, or have no direct connection to someone with autism because we as parents have no choice — we are in it for the long haul whether we like it or not. Those that do, and still choose to care, choose to give, to love deserve a tremendous amount of credit and thanks because they do simply out of their own hearts- it’s truly a beautiful act.
She’s still on the fence about becoming a chapter president, because she’s concerned she wouldn’t do a good enough job. But I think she’d do a great job, because she cares and she wants to make a difference. She knows who she is and she knows I’m calling her out in this space today.
I hope she does this. I think she will. And I hope she makes you think about it, too. I’m trying to raise money, but beyond the money, I’m really trying to boost participation with Train 4 Autism. Long-term growth is a lot more important than short-term dollars. I think I have my first new chapter president! This is like the first customer at my new shop after I spent six months getting it ready.
I know a lot of you really like what I’m doing. If have even the slightest interest in doing something to work with Train 4 Autism (there’s no high pressure, no sales, no drawing blood, no sacrificing your first born), please send me an email and let me know! We have people who can help make it easy and this will enable you to make a difference!
Have a great Wednesday!