Why am I running for charity? And why I chose Action for Healthy Kids?
I had committed to running the Chicago Marathon. I didn't want to wait another year just to see if I could gain entry. I had already started the mental preparations that will be needed. I was going to run the Chicago Marathon in 2019.
In-order to run the Chicago Marathon in 2019, since I missed out on the lottery, I had to commit to raising money for charity so that I could gain entry into the race. I had to raise $1,750 for charity in-order to gain entry into the race. All of that money is going to charity. It's for a good cause. I'm in. But what charity do I choose? There are some good ones representing some great causes.
Full disclosure, I reached-out to a lot of the different organizations that afforded the opportunity for enter into the Chicago Marathon before choosing Action for Healthy Kids. My selection of who to choose was made easier not only from the quick response that I received from Action for Healthy Kids, but also because of the way that they engaged me with their response. That matters; good job, Latrie and Seth!
Customer service, aside, Action for Healthy Kids is an organization that values a lot of the same things that I value. Their vision - Each kid healthy, active and ready to learn. Their mission - To mobilize school professionals, families and communities to take actions that lead to healthy eating, physical activity and healthier schools were kids thrive. Those are words that describe the whole child. I am an advocate for the whole child.
Our job as educators is to help develop the whole child. School is more than just academics. Instilling healthy habits in our kids that they can practice into adulthood is an obligation for us. Furthermore, practicing healthy habits with our kids results in an increased readiness to learn. Some of the things that I am really proud of about our school our some of the wellness initiatives and practices that we have created (and modeled) - #WorkoutWednesday, walk and talk, recess running club - for our school staff and families.
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| Donate to my Chicago Marathon for Action for Healthy Kids (linked) |
This winter, in Iowa, has seen more extreme and/or severe weather than most (in recent memory). And as a result of dangerously cold wind chills, snow covered sidewalks and streets, and mostly all of the ice that has covered everything, my running has been limited to a couple of miles a month for the last couple of months. That's about to change! I'm about to, gradually, start training for #MyChicagoMarathon. So coming-up, I plan to shift the focus of these posts to my training, and my thinking that coincides with my training. Stay tuned! Thanks.
