What's your favorite charity?

Stockholm is a city I have always wanted to get lost in. Now I have my chance. I am participating in the Stockholm marathon in May. And, you know me, if I am going to sacrifice my body to the Greek and Nordic gods, I want to raise awareness of issues around poverty and raise funds—that is, get you (and all your friends, co-workers, family) to give money to a worthy organization addressing the root causes of poverty in a positive way.

The horrendous tragedy this last weekend in Nepal will guide my funding efforts. Our thoughts and prayers are with friends and family as they struggle to survive and work to see that others live. I will be supporting Heart to Heart International and Charity: Water. 

Running the Hospital Hill

This year’s hospital hill run was a slog through the rain. I admit it: I am a wimp. I hate running in the rain. Slogging through 13 miles of downpour to support any and all efforts to end poverty, however, is worth it! I ran to support Outreach International, a wonderful group of folks fighting the root causes of poverty throughout the world.

I invited folks on facebook to view my pathetic face in a garbage bag running in the rain, in the hope it would bring a smile. I invited friends to donate $13.20 to Outreach. All to raise awareness for one of the critical, yet achievable challenges, of our day.

You see, there are so many places in our world where water is NOT abundant. Because of drought, politics, violence, hatred and prejudice, lack of transportation, lack of engineering, lack of resources … people, especially women and children, die of dehydration and starvation because of a lack of H²O. And there is no excuse other that human greed, human power, human will that sets priorities to reward the few at the expense of the many.

I thank God for blessing my life in such a way that I can run! That I can share my resources with others! That I can raise awareness of the those less fortunate than myself. Thank YOU for sharing with me in my passion to find ways to make this a better world for every child!

Great Day Cafe

Whenever I venture over toward my daughter’s place (Prairie Village Kansas) for an afternoon run, I often run the streets of old Overland Park. On such occasions I always stop by the Great Day Cafe. I love this place. 

Three years ago Greg and Sandy Tugman left the rat race, gathered their life savings and opened the Great Day Cafe (www.great-day-cafe.com) (downtown Overland Park Kansas). This was a life long dream of at least one of them. Sandy, a liberal arts professor at Baker University, left academia to take on the daily headache of managing a restaurant/coffee shop. Greg left the world of high finance to persure his dream of loving life, entertaining and working longer hours than he could ever have imagined in the financial realm. 

What they created together, along with a fabulous staff, was a wonderful place of welcome. The personality of the cafe is one of energy, love, and acceptance. From the music to the decor to the menu, the cafe defines the word “eclectic.” On any given day, you will find Greg entertaining the patrons with the flute, sax, or clarinet along with his ipad backup band. He takes breaks from his love of the mic by bussing tables, visiting with the customers, and providing running commentary on life. Sandy’s passion comes through the menu, the art work and pottery found throughout the cafe and her infectious laughter. 

Greg and Sandy love life. They love each other. They love their staff. They love their customers. It is always a joy to drop in and see how they are doing. 

I have found that a lot of races are like the Great Day Cafe. Each race has its’ own unique personality. A race, so full of energy, can convey not only competitiveness, but love for a city or neighborhood, love for the joy of running, love for those who would rather be outside pounding the pavement any day of the week (as opposed to sitting on the couch watching the latest video blather). Races can be full of life. Races bring people together for a greater cause. Races remind us of the beauty and goodness of people when they choose to make a difference in the world. 

One race that does all of the above is the Waddell and Reed Kansas City Marathon. Winding through some of the most beautiful neighborhoods of Kansas City, the marathon provides a glimpse into the heart of America: Family values, wonderful seasonal weather, energetic and friendly people, well organized and comptent event managers, gorgeous art, fabulous music, fantastic food.

And, of course, the cause: The Kansas City Marathon supports the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and Children’s Mercy Hospital. When I run a race like this one I not only support the Race charity, but often solicit funds for specific charities that work to abolish poverty, such as Outreach International, Sustainable Hope International, Soles for Souls, LOVE146 or Charity Water. 

When I run, people like Greg and Sandy inspire me. Why run, unless its' because you love it! Being passionate gives life meaning! Follow your passion! 

The Hunger Season

I stepped out the front door at 6:12 a.m. for my last long run before the WiPro San Francisco Marathon coming up this weekend. The temperature was already 89 degrees Fahrenheit. When I arrived back home just before 9:00 a.m., the temperature had already climbed to 98. I remember several hot summers in the Midwest, including one that nearly closed a Junior High camp I directed. But this one… well, let’s just say the lingering impact is going to be with us for a while.

Drought is a natural disaster that takes a significant toll. It’s effects spread far beyond the region affected. The economic impact can linger for years. The health impact can manifest itself for months. Drought, poverty and hunger are all intertwined in the mosaic of life.

The World Meteorological Organization indicates that some areas are experiencing the driest summer season on record.

The one meal a day for children in rural China

The World Food Program, which will feed most of the needy in the developing world, is projecting the cost to be above $800 million, all of which will need to come from the developed world.

The USAID Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS) reports famine in the East African countries of Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya and Somalia affecting more than five million people.

Widespread livestock deaths, culling of young animals to protect breeding animals, reduction of egg and poultry production, distressed migration, increased animal and human disease and high acute malnutrition rates are indicators being applied to what is happening here and abroad. Conditions are likely to get worse in the coming months during the peak hunger season.

Drought is already being given as an explanation for why millions of people across North America, Africa and Asia are hungry and are going to be hungry through the coming winter. The real reason is poverty, aggravated by regional shortages and hurricanes, typhoons and earthquakes which will drive up the price of regional staples… corn, wheat, barley, maze, to what some are predicting will more than triple last year's prices.

Heat-related deaths are being reported through the Midwest. Growing malnutrition has led to scattered reports of disease-related deaths among young children weakened by hunger.

I fully recognize that my feeble attempts to bring attention to such issues by running a race now and again doesn’t really make much difference. But if just one of you reading this laughs with me as I write these posts and waddle across finish lines; if just a few of you choose to support an organization like Outreach International through your generosity, then, together, we do make a difference! If my finishing a race allows one child to eat a meal, sleep in a safe place, get an education… then I will gladly run when it is hotter n hell and thank God I can!

Knee-cracker

2009 February 11 Wednesday

Miles: 4.68

Time: 59:12

I am gonna call this the knee cracker run. I have been trying to spend time on the steps of the amphitheater at Yonsei University. Today I took cardiac hill up the backside of the Campus then rolled into the amphitheater. The music was on—love the iPod thing-- so I started up the steps. Up and down. Up and down Up and down. Finally giving up, I take off out the East Gate and then turn back through Severance Hospital. My legs turned to noodles. What happened? It’s a good thing I just walked Thursday. The legs were unforgiving.

Death and Life

2009 February 09 Monday

Miles: 4.25

Time: 52:12

Mr. Cho’s mother died today. Mrs. Cho and I were on the bus, returning from the building project, when she got the call. It was devastating. She is such a loyal and conscientious person, she was heading back into the office when I said, “Where are you going? I’ll take care of things here. Go be with your family.” She did. I didn’t.

I depend on her quiet competent assistance WAY too much. So, after frustrating myself for a few hours, I took to the streets. I wanted Kim Me to know what had happened so swung by the Academy, then went through the Miyongi College campus. The run was becoming way too melancholy as I empathized with the Cho family, texting and calling each of them to see how things were going, thinking of my own 87 year old mother, and considering my own mortality. The playlist (thanks, Kelly and John!) of southern gospel, reggae, country, blues, salsa, techno rock, classical, and tango helped the run and put me in better spirits.

Back at the ranch, I could concentrate once more…now, how do you turn this d---- copier on?

Malawi--Running to end poverty, one child, one family, one village at a time.

In Malawi, a small country in southern Africa, there is no infrastructure here to process clean water from streams and creeks. And without sanitation systems, toilets, and plumbing the waste from people and animals in the forests eventually ends up in the water.

Chiwa was only 7, the oldest girl of the youngest four children, but strong enough to go to the creek everyday with other children from the village. She hoped to go to school this year, but then, who would get the family water? Her family needed it for washing, cooking, drinking. She was the one to go.

So four miles there and back, carrying the heavy water… Read more at http://www.outreach-international.org/site/PageServer?pagename=what_stories_family

Running to end poverty, one child, one family, one village at a time with Outreach International and a partner:

Market Run or Dodging Saturday afternoon shopping

2009 February 07 Saturday

Miles: 8.5

Time: 1:29.30

Have you ever tried to run around Mt. Ansan? I go through five university campuses, pass the Independence Gate, through Sinchon, the furniture mart, wedding shopping street, Ewha Fashion street and numerous neighborhood markets. This was my first run with the nifty new nanopod Kelly and john gave me for Christmas (sorry, kids, I keep forgetting to plug it in before taking off). WOW. Other than the techno disco music banging my head and keeping my feet moving while going up hill (nearly had a heart attack), this stuff is great! Jogging along with Willie, Allison, Beethoven, Aretha, the Nylons, yada, yada is its own natural high. Thanks, guys!

Run to the River

2009 February 04 Wednesday

Miles: 5.5

Time: 1:11:11

I take a straight shot out of Yonhi-dong going south through Donggyo-dong and Mangwon-dong to the Han River then run back upstream on the Hongjaecheon walking trails. The Gu government has done a wonderful job turning what had become polluted cesspools into vibrant running streams of mountain water through the heart of Seoul. This is my zone run. Relatively little traffic, well, except for the first two miles down to the river. Seoul is a great city for keeping a balance on overly-developed urban sprawl along with breath-taking vistas of natural wonder through their multiple mountain parks and flowing streams.

Running to end poverty also ends abuse! One child, one family, one village at a time.

When we think of poverty, images of sick children, starving mothers, war and more come to mind. But there are many more abuses of the poor. Most residents in impoverished communities do not own their homes, making them susceptible to the whim of the owners. Homes are made of impermanent materials and need repair often. When unskilled families attempt to fix things themselves, leaking roofs and broken toilets remain.

The few sanitation structures are typically open holes with no coverings, causing health problems. Much time is spent traveling to gather water, with thousands of families relying on a simple pump. And sometimes, thieves steal the pump parts and sell them for high prices.

Without funds for equipment or working animals, harvests must be done with hand tools and by members of the whole family. Even young children help, which keeps them out of school. In case of drought or famine, a poor crop creates long lean seasons. Loan sharks may charge up to 30 percent per month interest … Read more at http://www.outreach-international.org/site/PageServer?pagename=what_stories_abuse