running with a purpose: Some days you gotta dance...

Friday, July 10, 2009

Some days you gotta dance...

ESP Summer Camp 2009 Prom!

My best friend, Emily (hey Em!), lives in Watkinsville, and sent me these clippings from the local paper covering the ESP Prom on June 26th. Outfitted in tuxes and formal dresses, campers were cuttin'-a-rug all night! These kids really live it up whenever they get a chance!

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The Purpose

We all have special people that have touched our lives, each with an impressionable and unique fingerprint that will never be removed from our hearts. They have enriched the way we look at the world, given us hope, and illustrated what elemental and unpretentious love looks like.

In my life, that person is my brother, Craig. Craig was born with multiple physical and developmental special needs, but to me, he is much more than a list of disabilities and limitations. “Craiger”, as he is more affectionately called, inspires me to always give others my best, encourages me to push through when life seems uncomfortable, and convicts me that our life’s purpose is to serve one another out of love.

Being Craig’s sister has given me a tender heart for special needs children and individuals. But for a long time, I’ve wanted to do more…for Craig…for my parents…for others who are disabled and for their caretakers…

After much thought, I decided it was time to take action, although, I wasn’t quite sure where to start. What could I possibly do that would make a difference and lasting impact on these precious lives? One morning, while on my daily run, I realized that running was my opportunity to do something. Running was the answer!

To that end, I am committing to run 6 marathons in 6 months, beginning with the 2009 Chicago Marathon, to generate financial support and create awareness for the Extra Special People, Inc. (ESP) program in Watkinsville, Georgia.

The ESP program is dear to me because Craig has attended their programs and camps for many years. ESP is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization with a love for developmentally disabled individuals and their families in and around North East Georgia. ESP’s goal of improving the lives of those with special needs is carried out by providing year-round skills training and social services. Their largest program of the year is the ESP Summer Camp, providing activities planned to enhance each camper's social, cognitive, adaptive, and motor skills. Without ESP camp, Craig and other children like him have no place to go for developing those essential skills and socialization once they are out of school for the summer, or are too old to go to public school any longer. ESP also provides parents and caregivers with invaluable respite, while giving them the peace of mind that their child is learning, playing, interacting, happy and safe. Unfortunately, though, running and maintaining these programs comes at a cost. The cost for a single child to attend one week of ESP Day Camp is $500. ESP is dedicated to giving each and every child a way to attend camp. However, ESP is solely funded through donations and charitable gifts

With intense passion and respect for ESP and the many lives that it touches, I am asking for your prayers, encouragement and support in reaching my goal of raising funds to support ESP! YOUR contribution WILL fill a need!

If you want to donate and help meet me my goal of $5,000.00, please visit www.firstgiving.com/runforesp. Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support my efforts!

For a "running total" of donations, personal stories, current ESP Summer Camp photos of the kids in action, and my training progress, visit my blog at peaceloveand262.blogspot.com

To learn more about ESP, please see their website at extraspecialpeople.com

If you have any questions, you may contact me at smb41598@msn.com .

running with a purpose

Friday, July 10, 2009

Some days you gotta dance...

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