It’s Friday, so I am linking up with Courtney at Eat, Pray, Run DC, Cynthia at You Signed Up for What and Mar at Mar on the Run for their weekly linkup. Each week they pick a theme and bloggers join in and link up. This year instead of specific themes, they are letting us be creative with broad themes for each week of the month. This is the third “fitness” week. I am going to talk running and giving. Here are my “5 Reasons You Should Support my 5th NYC 1/2 for Alexandra’s Playground.” (Hint – there is an awesome raffle, so read on!)
There are many charities that I feel passionate about for a variety of reasons. One that I have supported every year since it was founded in 2009 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 always be there to carry me forward. Her positive energy and spirit are unmatched. Check out my interview with Andrea on Alexandra’s Playground HERE.
5 Reasons to Support my 5th NYC 1/2 Run for Alexandra’s Playground:
- Good karma. Giving is good and it makes you feel better. Don’t believe me? Check out the science!
- That smile! Alex inherited her mom’s beautiful smile. That smile has carried me through some tough runs in the NYC Half and Full Marathon.
- Because active play is critical to a healthy childhood. Your donation makes a difference to the lives of so many children. Learn more HERE.
- My eternal gratitude!
- You will be entered to win one of FIVE great prizes. See below!
For the FIFTH year in a row, I am joining the Alexandra’s Playground NYC Half Marathon Team. Last year, our team of 30 runners raised over $70,000 to build playgrounds and deliver programs all over the world. Through the end of 2014, Alexandra’s Playground has funded and participated in 14 playground builds in the US, Haiti and Afghanistan. More playgrounds were been built in 2015 (including one in an area in NJ hard hit by Hurricane Sandy) and one was just built in Orlando last month! They also installed an interactive play exhibit at NY Presbyterian Children’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 – Melissa 1. Pick any piece from Janji. (Retail value up to $78)
Winner – Jen M. 2. Fitbit Charge (Retail value $119)
Winner – Stacy 3. $50 Amazon Gift Card (Retail value $50)
Winner – Will V. 4. MyCharge Style Power Portable Charger (Retail value $29.99)
Winner – Kelli W. 5. Rove 18 Oz Stainless Steel Double Wall Vacuum Insulated Travel Flask (Retail value $29.99)
And, there may be more! I will add a prize if I raise raised over $1500 (and I donated $500 already!) and a prize for every $500 after $1000, too.
Oops – can’t remember but I sent it! Bonus #1 – $50 Shoptiques Gift Card and $25 Gap Brands Gift Card
Winner – Jen B. Bonus #2 – $50 Starbucks gift card
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. 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!)
5. I will pick the winners with Random Number Generator at the end of the day on Wednesday, March 23rd and announce them when the winners have been notified.
6. Entrants must be in the US, over 18 and void where prohibited.
7. 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 this raffle or Alexandra’s Playground in any way.