Thank you to all the readers who wished me luck in the Phoenix Marathon! Susie and I both had great runs! She crushed her PR and qualified for Boston by a mile – literally. I ran my best marathon time since 2006. The course was great and the conditions were pretty great, as well. Here is the full race recap.
There are many charities that I feel passionate about for a variety of reasons; I write about them often. One that I have supported every year since it was founded is Alexandra’s Playground. This organization was founded by my friends, Andrea and Michael Vitale, to honor the life of their daughter who passed away in 2008 when she was four years old. Alex loved to play, so the mission of the organization is to provide opportunities for children all over the country, and the world, in underserved communities to have safe and active play areas and programs.
Andrea and I went to college together and later became friends through (surprise) running when we ran into one another time and time again in New Jersey and New York City on the run. Somehow when the going got tough in Central Park, or during the New York Marathon, Andrea’s smile and cheers would carry me forward. Her positive energy and spirit are unmatched.
Check out my interview with Andrea on Alexandra’s Playground HERE.
For the FOURTH year in a row, I am joining the Alexandra’s Playground NYC Half Marathon Team. Last year, the team raised over $50,000 to build playgrounds and deliver programs all over the world. Through the end of last year, Alexandra’s Playground has funded and participated in 14 playground builds in the US, Haiti and Afghanistan; they have also installed an interactive play exhibit at NY Presbyterian Chidren’s Hospital and produced a video on pediatric concussions.
Since I recently raised money for Cycle for Survival, I haven’t really spread the word far wide for this fundraising effort. Like last year, I decided to host a RAFFLE instead of just asking for support.
Here are the raffle PRIZES:
Winner – Stacy R. 1. A $100 gift card to Anthropologie or a $100 American Express gift card.
Winner – Will V.2. Any item (winner’s choice) from Janji – men’s or women’s running/fitness wear. (Up to $88 value.)
Winner – Karen T. 3. Ohyo Bottles: One Ohyo 1000 ml and one Ohyo 500 ml “collapsabottle” – Collapsible bottles – perfect for hiking, biking, camping, flying, the gym or going to school! ($30 value)
Winner – Meryl. 4. Runner’s goodie pack or healthy foods for on the go goodie pack. $35 value or more of Finds’ faves running accessories and/or healthy snacks.
If I raise raised over $1000 (I put in $500 to kick it off!), I added another prize.
Winner Beth D. 5. Gaiam Sol yoga mat, carrier, strap and Om Thirsty Towel ($100 retail value!)
If I raised over $1500, I will added again. If I raise over $2000, I will add two additional prizes.
Winner Amanda R. 6. Veria ID Innerdosha + Daniel Stone COCO candle ($142 retail value!)
HOW TO ENTER a/k/a THE RULES:
1. Donate $10 or more to Alexandra’s Playground. Please go to my page on Crowdrise click the DONATE TO THIS FUNDRAISER button. It is a 501(c)3 organization so your donation is tax deductible! Please note that $10 is the Crowdrise minimum – if you would like to donate less than $10, that is great, too – let me know and I can facilitate it.
2. For every $5 you donate, you will receive one entry into the raffle. ($50=10 entries and so on) I will keep a tally with each donation in order of the notification of receipt.
3. Please leave a comment on this post when you donate, so that I can add you to the list!
4. Want extra chances? Please share this post on FB, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram or email (and leave a comment telling me you did and where). One entry per share!
5. All tapped out at the moment, have other commitments or don’t want to donate, but still want an entry? Leave me a comment with some encouragement for the team/for my run! (ooh and please “like” my Facebook Page, if you have not already!)
6. I will pick the winners with Random Number Generator at the end of the day on Wednesday, March 18th and announce them when the winners have been notified.
7. Entrants must be in the US, over 18 and void where prohibited.
8. One prize per winner. Winner selects prize in order of draw.
Please consider supporting Alexandra’s Playground (and my run) and remember that you have to be “in it to win it”!
Please note: All prizes were furnished by me. The vendors in the raffle are not affiliated with Alexandra’s Playground in any way.