Save-A-Thon For Africa is getting exciting!

Support us here.

We are just over 3 weeks away from flying nearly 10,000 miles to visit hundreds of children in poor villages in Ghana, Africa for Christmas.  Here is a quick update:

1.  Watch a news story shot today on KSL News in Salt Lake City, Utah tonight at 6PM.  The story will be online at ksl.com shortly;

Marissa on camera.

2.  We got out first batch of soccer balls and loaded 1 of 6 big duffel bags we are taking with us;

Kylie with a bag of soccer balls for the children in Ghana.

3.  Fundraiser with the Aggies Women's Soccer Team is in just 9 days--December 6th @ 7PM.  Get your tickets here!

Stay tuned for more updates...

Support us here.

Charity Fundraiser with the Aggies!

See Event Here

We are very happy to announce a special charity fundraiser featuring members of the WAC Champion Utah State Aggies Women's Soccer Team!  Click the link above for more details but the key points are as follows:

When: Thursday, December 6th from 7:00-8:30PM

Where: Riter Mansion, 168 N 100 E, Logan, Utah

What: A fireside chat with members of the Aggies discussing soccer, being your best, and doing good in the world.

Food is included and the event will be lots of fun.  All proceeds from the event go to supporting Save-A-Thon For Africa.

Check it out and register below.

See Event Here

Shots

So, we are one month away from our departure to Ghana and the girls went to get their shots today.  Watch this video and pass along.

Current Project--Christmas in Ghana

http://www.razoo.com/story/Save-A-Thon-For-Africa

On my last trip to Ghana in March I met a wonderful young boy in one of the many villages we visited. Our team members were more prepared than I in bringing gifts to distribute to the children there.  We had a few soccer balls to give out but this young boy, Borges, was a little too young and perhaps too polite to get one as the older kids jockeyed for position to get a ball.  After missing out on getting a new ball he politely approached me and asked if I would give him a soccer ball.  I didn't have any to give.  But there was something about the goodness in his face that made me promise him that I would come back and bring soccer balls for him and all the children in the village.  I really had no idea what I was saying at the time and didn't realize how much effort it would take to keep that promise.

Well a promise is a promise and my 12 year-old soccer player, Kylie, has helped me keep it.  Through her efforts as a goalie this year she has been raising money to help fund this trip and help these children.  She has raised $1,500 so far and these funds will be used to distribute over 100 soccer balls, school supplies for the girls, and a Christmas meal for all the children in two poor villages a few hours out of Accra, Ghana.

We need to raise another $4,000 or so to cover the airfare for Kylie and her older sister, Marissa.  I will be covering the other logistical expenses as best I can.

Will you please visit our fundraising website here and do what you can to support?  In Africa it takes so little to do so much.

Stay tuned for more updates as we move along this exciting journey to create a memorable and life-changing experience for all involved.

http://www.razoo.com/story/Save-A-Thon-For-Africa

Finished but NOT Satisfied

Well, I only accomplished one of my goals today in the half marathon: FINISHING!

I ran a 2:05 which is about 2 minutes slower than my personal best and 5 minutes behind my elusive goal to break 2 hours!  I will say that in 3 half marathons in 3 years I am pretty consistent: 2:03, 2:08, 2:05.  For whatever that's worth.  I would like to be a little inconsistent now if that means faster. ;-)

Here is a link to my official results.

http://www.milliseconds.com/participants/detail/806885941

I have to tell you that I don't think I can sit around and wait another year to break two hours so, despite needing to relax for about a week, I think I am going to seek another half in the next month and give it a better shot.

Thanks to everyone who supported me.  We raised over $500 for Bridges To America for our current projects.  If you haven't already donated please take a minute to consider doing so.  Seriously, even $10 helps our cause and you get a tax deduction.  Not sure how anyone loses with that deal!

Stay tuned...

Mika and I before the race in 49 degree morning weather!

After--Happy to be done and a little warmer.

Run for the Money

I am doing it again this year.  Top Of Utah Half Marathon on Saturday, August 25th.

Last year I ran a marathon to raise money for Bridges to America, this year I am "only" doing a half marathon.  Or as I like to call it: 13.1 miles.  It just so happens to be half of a marathon but that doesn't make it any shorter.


I do this because I do enjoy the challenge but more importantly I want you to know as a potential donor that I don't ever take a donation lightly and I am willing to work hard to earn it.  As you can see from the links to the right we have three fundraisers going on and I really need your support this year.  Pick your favorite cause or just give what you can to the general fund and we will route the funds to the cause that needs the most help.

This year, I have three goals for my run.

1.  Finish
2.  Set a Personal Best (faster than 2:03:02)
3.  Break the 2 hour mark

Accordingly, in order to make your donation interesting you can donate in several ways.

1.  A per finished mile pledge.  (e.g. $1/mile for each mile finished = $13. $5/mile = $65, etc.)
2.  A bonus if I make a PR.  Or nothing if I don't.
3.  A speed bonus if I break the elusive 2-hour mark.

For the record I am down in weight to 205 pounds but I only did 12 miles last night in around 2:15.  Granted it was 85+ degrees outside and I was carrying my own water but lots will have to go right for me next Saturday to break 2 hours.  Still going to try hard.  Feel free to challenge me with a bonus pledge.

Thank you so much for helping us and supporting the good things we are trying to do.

Even if you can't or choose not to help with a donation will you at least share the effort on Facebook or Twitter, or whatever?

Day 6-7: New Life

Final photo from the hotel in Yeji before departing.

The next morning we were all anxious to pack up and make the long journey back to Accra where these four rescued children could start their new lives.  I must say however, that things that seemed so unpleasant just two days before at the hotel now felt sort of comfortable compared with our stay in the village.  I wondered how the kids felt as we whisked them back to the big city of Accra.  Certainly things would be more pleasant and modern but still foreign and unfamiliar to them.

Arriving at the Center after our 9 hour drive through the Ghana countryside.

The caretaker escorting the kids to their new home.

Rice and chicken like this is a real rarity for these kids.  So is a spoon and bowl.

Saying good night before parting for our hotel.

The next day, our last day in Ghana, we went to the Center where the kids has been cleaned-up, haircuts and all, given fresh clothes, and ready to begin the re-integration process.  This part of the process is critical to ensuring that the chances of these kids being re-trafficked remains low.  The idea is to help them gain their own sense of self-confidence and worth so that they can eventually stand up for themselves and be valued by their families.  The process is gradual but knowledge really is power and it consists of educating them and helping them see that they can have a bright future, despite having lost some crucial years of childhood as a trafficked child.

Eric teaching the kids a song on their first day of school.

Mika with Kwojo who drew this picture and worked on writing his name.

At the Center there was mostly laughter and smiles, sprinkled in with a few tears as the kids adjusted to all of this huge change in their lives.  I am sure they were wondering if this was real and, if so,  how long it would last.  Pondering what their future would look like and missing their families and friends from the village.

One thing I know for sure is that because of the rescue mission these kids are on a different path that includes education, opportunity, self-esteem, and a fighting chance to change their world and hopefully the one around them.

The kids dressed in their traditional clothes.  Love those smiles!