Ahhh, Wednesday. The middle of the week. It’s time for me to come up with another creative way to say “It’s time for my What’s Up With OJ Wednesday Blog.” Well, I have good news and bad news. The bad news is I don’t have a creative way to announce my WUWOJW blog today. But the good news is at least I wrote it.
First things first, in case you’ve never been here before, I’m a father of three and a marathon runner. My middle child, 6 1/2-year-old Jack, is severely autistic. I decided I wanted to find a way to use my running to make a difference in the autism world. My idea is to try to run 60 marathons in 2010 to try to raise money and awareness for a charity called Train 4 Autism. So far, I’m through 23 since January 1. Only 37 to go. Sort of. I’ll explain that in a bit.
Anyways, I write about various things here in my blog about four times a week and give a little glimpse about what it’s like to go through all of this. I’m going to read all these blogs at the end of the year, because it’s all such a blur and I’m going to want to see what happened.
Since today is Wednesday, I’m giving my weekly rundown on what’s going on with Operation Jack. Most of it is going to involve fundraising today.
What You’ve Done
I don’t have the exact numbers of what has been raised. I do certain things well, like running. I went 3:06 last Sunday in my 23rd marathon of the year. Finances aren’t my thing, though. I messed up on a transfer this week and bounced a payment. My wife will probably be mad at me for mentioning that. Oh well.
Anyways, my dad does certain things well, too. He ran his first half-marathon last Sunday in 2:53. A for effort, but maybe running isn’t totally his thing. But he’s been a CPA for the past 42 years. So he does a little better managing finances than I do and he takes care of the Operation Jack Autism Foundation. So according to him, plus according to what I can see from our Kintera site, I think we’re at somewhere around $19,000 raised. So we’re doing well, although I’d like to be better. I’m sure things will pick up as the year goes on and I’m still holding out hope that we’ll hit $100,000.
But that’s where we are for now. I get asked how we’re doing pretty frequently, so I know a lot of you probably wonder. That’s how we’re doing.
What You Can Do
Well, I haven’t asked in a while, but if you support what I’m trying to accomplish, the biggest thing I can ask you to do is to try to spread the word. If you’re on Twitter, let people know about me (@operationjack). If you’re on Facebook, “like” the fan page, join the group and invite your friends to do the same. If you know people outside of Facebook and Twitter who might be interested, drop them a line and invite them to check out the site.
Runners and people impacted by autism tend to take an interest in Operation Jack, but other folks thing I’m crazy, too, which is why I’m doing this. So please, spread the word. If nobody finds out, it’s almost a waste.
Also, I won’t lie … fundraising is a big part of this. Creating chapters for Train 4 Autism is a big part of it, but I’m definitely trying to raise money. I have sponsor levels, there are easy ways for you to raise money without even contributing money (I know, the economy is tough) … I’m not counting on any one person to make or break Operatoin Jack (unless Bill Gates finds the site), but I’m hoping that little tiny efforts from a whole lot of people can go a long ways.
If you have any ideas for anything, don’t hesitate to send them my way. If you work for a company that might be able to donate something for raffles we’ll have in the future or if you have a good idea that I’m not using (I’m smart enough to know I have no clue what I’m doing), PLEASE email me! I don’t know everything about everybody who’s following along, so if you have a unique way you think you can help, let me know!
What I Might Do
I’ve repeated this, but I’ll probably keep repeating it for a little while. I was talking with a runner named Lance Haney who lives in Alabama and he wants me to run Memphis on December 4. The problem is, I’m not dropping my race on December 5, so this would boost the total for the year to 61.
I’ve talked with Lance a little, and he’s a good guy and wants me to try to pace him to a 3:10 in Memphis. And I really want to do that for him. So we came up with a deal. He set up a fundraising page and if he hits his goal, I’ll be out there. I’d love to be there — I’ve heard great things about the race and I need to avenge my two poor races I’ve already run in Tennessee this year.
I Think That’s All For Today
I write these at night and I’m starting to get a little sleepy. Plus, I want to take an ice bath. So I need to get off the computer. Have a great Wednesday, everybody. I’ll be back tomorrow for my weekend preview.
JD Eddins says
I have already commented once on the blog today about how great the St. Jude’s race is, so I won’t do it again. But I hope that Lance makes his goal (I’ll be heading to his page some time this week to do my part). I hoping that I can improve my times this summer and fall in order to be ready for the a 3:10 pace by December as well. If I’m ready, any chance I can run with you guys?
Tiffany Felsenfeld says
Sam- I really thought you were on to something with the “10×10” idea! I think it’s a lot easier to get ten people to donate $10, than one person to donate $100. I hope when people read your blog today, they feel inspired to start their own “10×10” and we’ll see a lot of teams and donations come from that. I think you have the right idea. The important thing here is to try and help build teams all over the country, “planting seeds” as you call it. After those seeds are planted, amazing things can grow!
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Melissa G says
Here’s some ideas. Sorry if they’re stupid, lol.
Garage sale/ craigslist/ ebay: If you have things sitting around and you’re tired of looking at them, sell them and donate the proceeds. Make sure to mention the charity you’re donating to. 🙂
If you are lucky enough to have a job and people there drink coffee, ask them to forgo the lattes for one work week and donate that $15-20.
If your boss is the charitable kind, see about doing a dollar raffle where the winner gets to leave first on Friday, or wear something ridiculous to work one day.
When you go to your local marathon featuring Sam running for OperationJack.org, bring a really big sign.
Make a bet with Sam and let him win some dough from you.
Ally Phillips says
OK, here’s the deal: we need to get you some national media coverage. FYI, this is my husband’s biggest thing–he’s like borderline obsessed with it (this is what happens when you’re unemployed and at home watching The Today Show for like 4 hours or however long it is). And, as a marketing/PR gal, I agree. Problem is,I haven’t freaking figures out how to do it! You’re getting local press, which is great, we just need to get you on The Today Show, or GMA, or SOMETHING! Because what you’re doing is amazing. And we need to let America know.
I know that you didn’t get to meet up with my friend when you were in Dallas about the shoe drive, but, maybe I could put you two in touch? That might not be a ton of $$ for OJ, but, it would be something….
That’s all I’ve got for today.
::runs off to find ways of hijacking NBC’s broadcasting for my own devices including getting Sam on TV with Matt Lauer. Or Meredith. Or the folks at ABC. Am not picky::
Sarah Emerson says
I agree with Ally…and her husband…time to go big!! OJ has already reached alot of people but just think how many more you can reach with the Today Show:-) It’s worth shooting an email to someone, somewhere and letting them know how crazy you are!…. hmmm now how to get ahold of someone, somewhere?? I’ll think on it…
Todd Zankich says
Congrats to your Dad Sam. He ran the 1/2 marathon pretty much the same speed as me. I’ll be glad enough if I can still jog 1/2 mile in 30 years or so. Seriously, 1 year ago I thought 1/2 was beyond my ability now.
Also, $19,000 in this economy is very good. Charity, business, and tax revenue is all way down. It’s possible that the media will be looking for inspirational stories around the holidays, when you’re also nearing your goal, and that exposure could increase your fund raising exponentially.
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Ben Delaney says
Think we can get you on Oprah? Naaa, I don’t like her. Let’s see about someone better then her.
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