Great Week! Time to act!

Here is a quick update on what is happening at Bridges To America.

As you may know, my 12 year-old daughter, Kylie, and I have been working on a campaign we call Save-A-Thon For Africa (http://saveathonforafrica.blogspot.com) most of the year to raise money for soccer balls, school supplies, and food to deliver for Christmas to the children in Ghana.  We leave in less than three weeks!

Last week we received the best PR we have ever had and it was very satisfying.  We were on the KSL six o'clock news in Salt Lake City and had two newspaper articles written about the effort.

Here are links to the video and to both newspaper articles.

KSL News Link

http://soc.li/ap4Qare 

Deseret News Article

http://fb.me/1JBgVeYNa 

Herald Journal Article

http://fb.me/1OlLaVn5F 

It is gratifying to see the return of investment from our generous donors and our hard work.  It feels like we are gaining momentum and reaching a tipping point that will help us grow.  And the greatest thing about that is that we are now able to benefit more families and especially children in Africa.

We are still raising over $3,000 for the expenses of this trip and supplies for the children in the village for Christmas.  We would love any support you can give and/or encourage as you see fit.  You can visit the website to learn more and make donations here: http://bit.ly/UPlFFj

Lastly, we are doing a fundraiser called Chalk Talk for Charity this Thursday night,  Dec. 6th from 7PM with the Utah State Aggies Women's Soccer Team in Logan.  More details here:  http://chalktalk4charity-es2.eventbrite.com/?rank=1

Thanks for your support!

Criticism of Charity. My Response

It's been a great week for Bridges To America as we have enjoyed several favorable stories about our efforts with Save-A-Thon For Africa (saveathonforafrica.com).

We were on the KSL News in Salt Lake City, Utah.

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=23147771&nid=148&title=teen-goalie-raises-money-for-ghana-with-every-save&s_cid=queue-6

Two newspaper articles were also written on our effort.

Deseret News
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865567638/Worthy-goal-Cache-County-family-works-together-to-deliver-on-promise-to-African-child.html?pg=all

Herald Journal
http://news.hjnews.com/allaccess/article_ec84c3ca-3b5e-11e2-ab07-001a4bcf887a.html?mode=story


After the segment aired I came across a couple of fairly critical comments on the KSL News website that I have heard before and I wanted to address them.  I think my response could be helpful to further understanding important issues around humanitarian efforts and charity.

The first comment is below:

am blu blood
posted 1 day ago

This is all nice and fine, however why is it that people have to look for charities to serve other nations, why not help our own nation, we have an enormous need right here in the GOOD OLE U.S. OF A. Show me ONE country that has ever stepped up to help our country. WE need to focus back on ourselves, and once we are healed then we can help others, charity starts at HOME.

My Response:

As for helping people here first and then overseas I can't disagree with the fact that we have our own problems here. No question. But, what people probably don't realize is that we actually have a tremendous safety net here in the USA. If someone really has no food they can get it. In Africa, that is simply not true. The line between dead and alive is very thin there.  This means that so much energy of daily life is spent on merely surviving that things like education take a lower priority.

It takes so little to do so much good that I can't simply sit back and wait to solve all of our problems here first and then help people in another country. If we all waited until our problems were solved do you think we would ever look beyond our borders? I don't think so.

Further, by involving my daughters, future leaders like the rest of their generation, they are getting firsthand experience in being grateful for what we do have here in the US and a priceless education in service which can be applied both here and abroad.

Second Comment:

I ShouldaKnown
posted 2 days ago

Really they are going to fly over with 150 balls? Come on think big, it's not worth the trip unless they have 15,000 balls. Give some thought to staying home and using the airfare money to send them more balls.

report as abuse

like

rosie111
posted 1 day ago

Its the experience in seeing the kids expression as they receive these wonderful gifts. Way to go goalie!

My Response:

I have told my girls that we will leave each village there with a pit in our stomach that we couldn't do more.  But that feeling will be more than offset by the smiles and beaming eyes that thank us for what we were able to do. Frankly, this trip isn't about soccer balls, or the school supplies and food we will also be delivering, it's about going beyond our own problems and perceived lack of things and touching the lives of a few or a few hundred children who just want to know that they are valued and that their lives matter. It doesn't get any bigger than that!

I believe in doing what you can now, however small it may seem, not waiting for some elusive day when 15,000 balls is even a possibility. Though I appreciate the challenge.

I welcome your comments to my response on these important issues.

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.