You all seem to be pretty enthusiastic about my attempt to run 60 marathons in 2010 to raise money and awareness for Train 4 Autism. You’re signing up for races. You’re reading my blog. You’re telling your friends and having bake sales and blogging about it. But I still get the same questions all the time. I’m on a team … what do I do now? What can I do to help? I’d never really thought about that. I just figured I’d run 60 marathons and everything would take care of itself. But I learned that I need a better plan than that, so I came up with 10×10. Let me know what you think about it.
I’m pretty shy about asking for help. But I know that we’re all in this together, all excited about a great cause. Whether you’re impacted by somebody with autism, you know me and support what I’m doing, or you don’t know me but you think what I’m doing is worthy of support, you’ve decided you’re on the bandwagon. And I appreciate that. I came up with a simple, realistic way to help that’s reasonable and sets a good target. If we all hit this, Operation Jack is going to be a HUGE success and Train 4 Autism will be way better off for it.
10×10: Get 10 people to contribute $10. That will make a difference. I’m not going to get into goals I have for a grand total for Operation Jack quite yet, but I know that if everybody strives for a 10×10, we’re going to make a big difference. Hit that goal and I’ll send you an Operation Jack t-shirt and an Operation jack dri-fit shirt to work out in and run your race in. Simple enough, right? You don’t need to raise $500 or $1,000 or $2,000 (although go right ahead!) … just 10 people, $10 each. Host a pancake breakfast as a fundraiser or something simple like that and you’ll be set.
To make it easy, you can go to operationjac.kintera.org and set up a page in about two minutes. People can make their $10 contribution online with a credit card in a snap. It’s simple. I know I’ve done this for various fundraisers. It’s quick and it’s painless. So, I guess that answers those questions I’ve been asked. I get shy about asking for help, but I think this is what I’ll ask y’all to try and do. One 10×10 will go a long ways.
Jen Morgan was the first to complete a 10×10, and she did it before I even created this. She’s a trooper and I’m really looking forward to meeting her when we run the Tampa Gasparilla Marathon on February 28. I created a 10×10 club on the Sponsors page. She’s the charter member … join her!
Oh, I lied … one more thing you can do to help: Send your friends here and to the Facebook Group (click the Facebook button on this page). OK, that’s all.
Rest In Peace, Grandpa Don
This is where I get to ramble on since it’s my blog. My dad’s second wife was a woman named Mary Ann and she was around at a critical point in my life, between my fourth grade and eighth grade years. I had troubles dealing with my parents’ divorce and was terrible to her. She took way more from me than she deserved, but she stood by and loved me unconditionally and did a great job doing everything she could to raise me well. That’s not to infer anything about my mom, who’s in the picture, or my stepmom, who’s wonderful and been in my life for the past 20 years. That’s just to make mention of Mary Ann for this part of my blog since it’s about her dad.
I keep in touch with Mary Ann still, even though she’s been out of the family for more than 21 years. She lives in Minnesota now, but I managed to see her in 2006 and 2008 while in town or stopping through for work. We chat a few times a year. Unfortunately, I hadn’t talked to her in the past several months until yesterday, when I found out her dad passed away in September. I hadn’t seen him or talked to him since 1991, but in my heart, he was still my Grandpa Don.
He was a great guy, the type of fun, loving man you want as a grandpa. He treated me like his own while my dad was married to Mary Ann, and he was glad to see me when I last saw him at Mary Ann’s second wedding. I had a blast staying at his house every year for Thanksgiving, visiting with him when he came to town and staying at his house in the summer. He was a good grandpa and a good father (from some of the things I remember Mary Ann telling me). I haven’t seen him since 1991, but I’m looking forward to catching up with him somewhere down the road.
I’m glad you came into my life, Grandpa Don. And I’m glad you’re not pain any more. Rest in peace. I’ll see you on the other side.
Hmmm … How To Transition From That?
I guess I don’t have a whole lot more to elaborate on. Operation Jack starts next week. Is that right? Yeah, next Thursday, I’m flying to Houston. My ice cream streak is at 63 days. My bronchitis is just about gone. My mom is coming to town. So is my friend Tony. And I guess that’s it.
I’m not blogging again this week, so Merry Christmas everybody!
Jamie Fellrath says
Merry Christmas to you too, Sam! Glad to hear the Bronchitis is leaving you – things are all falling into place as you begin the adventure! ๐
Ally Phillips says
Merry Christmas! Hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday! I can’t believe that Operation Jack officially starts next week–can’t wait to hear how the first race goes.
I like 10×10–I can do that! Yippee!! We can ALL do that.
Travel safe to Houston (and everywhere else, of course)!
Merry Christmas ๐
Todd Zankich says
Oh whew… I thought you were going to start eating In-N-Out 10×10’s. I’ll try to get 10 people, but I’m pretty lazy so I’ll probably end up being all 10 people ๐
My condolences for Grandpa Don.
And good luck next year!!!
Jen Morgan says
Awwww thanks for the shout out! “Charter Member” LOL! Sam I am on a mission to do as many 10×10’s as I can. I’m hoping to surpass $750 and go to $1,000 if possible. I still have some untapped sources to hit up now that the holidays are over and once we get closer to Gasparilla I really think we can seal the deal!
See you soon!!!! 9 weeks til Gasparilla!
T-Minus 4 days til Operation Jack kicks off!!!