Hey! Long time no blog! I haven’t been around these parts in three weeks, but I’m back, with something I’m really excited about. I’m finally locked in to participate in a really great event and I’d love for you to participate or at least help spread the word!
Real quick, just in case you’re new here, I’m a father of three and a marathon runner. My middle child, 7-year-old Jack, is severely autistic. I wanted to use my running to try to make a difference, so last year, I ran 61 full marathons (plus two ultramarathons) to raise money and awareness for a charity I’m a part of called Train 4 Autism. I named the endeavor Operation Jack, after my little superstar.
Anyways, that was 2010. I’m working on various things in 2011 to continue to use my running to help others. The first, fittingly, will be on Autism Awareness Day, April 2. I’ll be participating in the ACT! Today for Military Families 5K/10K Run in San Diego. It’s a race that benefits military families that have children with autism. Really, it’s impossible for me not to get behind a cause like this.
Obviously, autism is my passion because of Jack. But I’m a big supporter of our military. I have so much respect for what those brave men and women do, laying it all on the line so complete strangers like me and you can enjoy peace and freedom. My mom spent 12 years as an officer in the Air Force, my dad served his time during Vietnam, my grandpa served during World War II. I don’t come from a pure military family, but I’ve certainly been exposed to it and I have immense respect for our troops.
So, I’m really excited to be a part of this. But I really want to build a good team for this. Registration for the race is pretty affordable. I paid $35 for the 10K, which includes a t-shirt. I think the 5K is about $30, plus there’s a military discount if that applies to you. And it’s meant to be — it’s on AUTISM AWARENESS DAY! Really, these are pretty reasonable prices, especially considering it benefits a great charity.
I have some leftover money sitting in my foundation right now and I’m going to use it to try to get you guys to participate. Sign up for the race — that’s easy. But raise just $20 with the fundraising page you get when you participate and my foundation will kick in another $20. That’s a pretty easy amount to raise. And heck, if you don’t feel like raising money, just kick in a donation and I’ll match it! I’ll do this for the first 25 of you who do this.
My team page is at http://acttodayformilitaryfamilies.kintera.org/operationjack. You MUST register or create your team beneath my team for me to match the $20 you raise. Just click on the “Join Our Team” link when you get there and it will take you though the registration process.
If you have any questions, PLEASE feel free to email me at sam.felsenfeld@gmail.com.
If you’re not in the San Diego area, please do me a super-easy favor and post this blog on your Facebook or tweet it out (the share links are right at the top of this page — EASY!).
And that’s pretty much it. C’mon, y’all, I’m begging for your help! Let’s get this done and have a great showing!
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