I'm feeeeelin' it... You??
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Running the Marine Corps Marathon, again.....
Well, I've been idling on the blogosphere for the past couple of months but busy with other things. Now , with several requests and e-mails later, I'm here to give youa brief update on what I've been doing. Most important of all, I was away from the confines of my cozy life and hitting the trails around the area, training to run my 2nd marathon. Yes!!! It shouldn't be too surprising for many of you when I say that I'm running my 2nd Marathon on October 29th 2006. Last year, I ran my first marathon, the Marine Corps Marathon ( 26.2 miles), on October 30, 2005 here in Washington, DC on behalf of AIMS India Foundation to support their Rural Development projects in India. I finished the race in 5hrs and 7 minutes (see attached post-race photo of our team). Jointly our team of 13 runners raised well over $13000 and some of your donations were spent towards the "Sanitation for Rural Schools" project.
The project was immensely successful and the schools now boast a gleaming new piece of infrastructure that make a difference in the life of these children attending the school. I've attached a picture taken during the inauguration ceremony! The smiles on those little faces are worth all the pains and thank you for making my marathon a memorable one. Speaking from my own experience, training and running a marathon is an amazing, moving and life changing experience.
With all the encouragement and support I got from folks, I decided to do the Marine Corps Marathon again this year for AIMS India Foundation. What makes it even more special is the fact that The Marine Corps Marathon is also known teh People's Marathon and gels perfectly with the mission of AIMS, which is to bring people together. This year our team has swelled to 20 members and we have raised our target to $20,000. I would like you to join me again in the quest for
Making a Difference in the lives of these people who need our help. Once again AIMS India Foundation is partnering with Marathon Charity Partners (MCP) in organizing this innovative fundraiser - the marathon training program. Completing this 26.2 miles race will be a significant challenge for me. An even more significant challenge is the goal of raising a minimum of $1,000 to benefit Sustainable Rural Development Projects of AIMS India Foundation.
I have committed myself personally to work with AIMS India Foundation on its Education and Rural Development projects. Though it's a drop in the ocean, I feel I should do my part and I hope that you will pitch in and support me in this cause. AIMS India's mission is to bring people together for the lofty purpose of bringing about a positive transformation in India, to achieve a vision of economically self-sufficient, socially harmonious that serves as a beacon of light to the rest of the world.
Please visit our website for more information on the current and past projects carried out by AIMS India.
As AIMS India is a volunteer based organization, it has virtually no overhead costs (only 6%). You can be assured that almost all the funds that I raise will go directly to these development projects in India. Running the Marine Corp Marathon (26.2 miles) is no easy task, as you all know. Though the minimum I am committed to raise is $1000 by October 29, I decided to exceed my goal by collecting $2600 - about $100 for each mile I am going to run. Remember, all your donations are Tax Exempt as AIMS India Foundation is a registered 501(3)(c) Not-For-Profit organization. You will be provided with receipts for your tax filing purposes. I would like to invite you to join me in supporting this cause. Please select from the following options:
1) $52.40 - I'm thankful for my education
2) $104.80 - I have a Large Heart
3) $1000.00 - I really believe in the cause
4) $***.** - Be creative..
5). $26.2 – Dollar a mile -- Applicable only to children under 14 years, unemployed, zombies, etc.
You can contribute in two ways…
1. Easy and quick – please go to www.mydonations.com, a partner of AIMS India Foundation that helps in making the online payments. After a quick registration, you can proceed to donate by clicking on the "Donate Online" link (seen on the left column). Do not forget to select my name under the list of runners (I'm listed as ANDY on the list of runners seen in the "pull down" menu). After this selection, proceed to use your credit card to donate on this website (It is a secured website and no worries about data theft or misuse of your personal data).
2. Conventional – Make a check payable to "AIMS India Foundation" with my name in the memo and mail it to the Treasurer of AIMS, MR. Iyappan:
Iyappan Raman
13218 Wonderland Way
GERMANTOWN, MD 20874
Be sure to indicate RUN TO SERVE A GRAAM (FYI - Graam stands for village, in Hindi) and Andy on the memo part of your check.
I am excited about the marathon and the impact our efforts will make in raising money for this worthwhile cause. I truly hope that I can count on your support. Please write to me at wizardofwashington@gmail.com if you have any questions about your contribution.
If you could, please share it with your friends and encourage them to donate. Together as a TEAM, we can do wonders and I'll be doing the hardest part (running 26.2 miles) on October 29th. You will have the easiest part -- sign a check. Will you do it today?
---------------
Hesitating to act because the whole vision might not be achieved, or because others do not yet share it, is an attitude that only hinders progress." ----- Gandhi
The project was immensely successful and the schools now boast a gleaming new piece of infrastructure that make a difference in the life of these children attending the school. I've attached a picture taken during the inauguration ceremony! The smiles on those little faces are worth all the pains and thank you for making my marathon a memorable one. Speaking from my own experience, training and running a marathon is an amazing, moving and life changing experience.
With all the encouragement and support I got from folks, I decided to do the Marine Corps Marathon again this year for AIMS India Foundation. What makes it even more special is the fact that The Marine Corps Marathon is also known teh People's Marathon and gels perfectly with the mission of AIMS, which is to bring people together. This year our team has swelled to 20 members and we have raised our target to $20,000. I would like you to join me again in the quest for
Making a Difference in the lives of these people who need our help. Once again AIMS India Foundation is partnering with Marathon Charity Partners (MCP) in organizing this innovative fundraiser - the marathon training program. Completing this 26.2 miles race will be a significant challenge for me. An even more significant challenge is the goal of raising a minimum of $1,000 to benefit Sustainable Rural Development Projects of AIMS India Foundation.I have committed myself personally to work with AIMS India Foundation on its Education and Rural Development projects. Though it's a drop in the ocean, I feel I should do my part and I hope that you will pitch in and support me in this cause. AIMS India's mission is to bring people together for the lofty purpose of bringing about a positive transformation in India, to achieve a vision of economically self-sufficient, socially harmonious that serves as a beacon of light to the rest of the world.
Please visit our website for more information on the current and past projects carried out by AIMS India.
As AIMS India is a volunteer based organization, it has virtually no overhead costs (only 6%). You can be assured that almost all the funds that I raise will go directly to these development projects in India. Running the Marine Corp Marathon (26.2 miles) is no easy task, as you all know. Though the minimum I am committed to raise is $1000 by October 29, I decided to exceed my goal by collecting $2600 - about $100 for each mile I am going to run. Remember, all your donations are Tax Exempt as AIMS India Foundation is a registered 501(3)(c) Not-For-Profit organization. You will be provided with receipts for your tax filing purposes. I would like to invite you to join me in supporting this cause. Please select from the following options:
1) $52.40 - I'm thankful for my education
2) $104.80 - I have a Large Heart
3) $1000.00 - I really believe in the cause
4) $***.** - Be creative..
5). $26.2 – Dollar a mile -- Applicable only to children under 14 years, unemployed, zombies, etc.
You can contribute in two ways…
1. Easy and quick – please go to www.mydonations.com, a partner of AIMS India Foundation that helps in making the online payments. After a quick registration, you can proceed to donate by clicking on the "Donate Online" link (seen on the left column). Do not forget to select my name under the list of runners (I'm listed as ANDY on the list of runners seen in the "pull down" menu). After this selection, proceed to use your credit card to donate on this website (It is a secured website and no worries about data theft or misuse of your personal data).
2. Conventional – Make a check payable to "AIMS India Foundation" with my name in the memo and mail it to the Treasurer of AIMS, MR. Iyappan:
Iyappan Raman
13218 Wonderland Way
GERMANTOWN, MD 20874
Be sure to indicate RUN TO SERVE A GRAAM (FYI - Graam stands for village, in Hindi) and Andy on the memo part of your check.
I am excited about the marathon and the impact our efforts will make in raising money for this worthwhile cause. I truly hope that I can count on your support. Please write to me at wizardofwashington@gmail.com if you have any questions about your contribution.
If you could, please share it with your friends and encourage them to donate. Together as a TEAM, we can do wonders and I'll be doing the hardest part (running 26.2 miles) on October 29th. You will have the easiest part -- sign a check. Will you do it today?
---------------
Hesitating to act because the whole vision might not be achieved, or because others do not yet share it, is an attitude that only hinders progress." ----- Gandhi
1 Comments:
Great Effort Andy! I will try to publicize your efforts to my friends.
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