This is a non-house related post, but one that is important to me!
As many of you know, I'm training for my fourth and fifth marathons this fall, in San Francisco and Philadelphia. Lots of people think I'm crazy for getting up at 5 AM most days to run, but I love how it makes me feel and appreciate the good health I have that allows me to do it!
Some people are not so fortunate, many of whom I see sleeping on the streets of downtown Baltimore as I run by with my friends. A woman my age in Philadelphia saw the same thing, and took action, starting a non-profit called Back on My Feet. BOMF partners with shelters to introduce running to the homeless. Through a structured program, BOMF's members start with one mile and many end up running marathons, gaining confidence, leadership, discipline, friendship, and important skills along the way.
BOMF is starting its first pilot program in Baltimore this spring, and I'm excited to be joining them as a volunteer! I'm not sure exactly what I'll be doing yet, but they're just now starting to build partnerships around the city and raise funds to support the members with gear, race fees, job skills training, and much more.
As part of my training for Philly, I've set a goal to raise $3,000 for BOMF in Baltimore. I hope you'll consider helping me reach it, and more importantly, helping the homeless in Baltimore get back on their feet!
Please visit http://www.backonmyfeet.org/ for more information about the organization, and http://www.active.com/donate/bomfbaltimore/katienorton to make a donation. All proceeds benefit BOMF and your donation is completely tax-deductible.
Also, let me know if you're interested in volunteering, or if you work at a place that might be willing to partner in providing medical or dental care, sports massage, job training, furniture, or running gear.
THANK YOU!
6 comments:
Hi Katie, sounds like you all might be jogging in the right direction with this project. You have me wondering though how/where a homeless participant having belongings needing safe storage while he or she runs might be accommodated. Have you found a solution? Thanks.
Hi learningdan,
The participants have to have slept at their participating shelter for at least 30 days in order to join the group, and the shelter provides storage for their belongings. Residence at a shelter is one of several requirements they must meet to join the group, others include being drug free for 30 days, and having the shelter's permission to participate.
Thanks for your interest!
Hi - I'm not sure how I came across your blog, but we're redoing our house too (mostly the kitchen,) so I love looking around at other people's blogs to get fresh ideas. First of all, your kitchen is amazing! I love the blue paint and white cabinets. It's very fresh, crisp, and modern. Can I please ask you where you got your yellow paint (for the bedroom), and the name of the color? Everything looks great!! Thanks:)
Hi Jenny,
Thanks so much for your nice compliments! I've been on vacation so I'm sorry I haven't gotten back to you...I'm going to check the color name tonight, but it is definitely Behr paint from Home Depot.
dude, update please!
Jenny...finally getting back to you with that color! It's Song of Summer from Behr at Home Depot. Sorry for the delay- I had to dig the chip out of one of the many piles consuming the house!
P.S. I hope you come back to read this...I tried to visit your blog to tell you there but I wans't able to access it!
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