I'm feeeeelin' it... You??
Friday, August 17, 2007
Another marathon.. another fun filled, pain-filled, 26.2 miles!!
It shouldn't be too surprising when I say that I'm running my 3rd Marathon on October 28th 2007, at least for those who knew me before. Last year, I ran my second marathon, the Marine Corps Marathon (26.2 miles) here in Washington, DC on behalf of AIMS India Foundation to support their Rural Development projects in India. I finished the race in little over 5hrs. Jointly our team of runners raised well over $23000 for AIMS.
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 the People's Marathon and gels perfectly with the mission of AIMS, which is to bring people together. This year our team has swelled to 35 members and we have raised our target to $35,000. 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 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 the organization's website for more information on the current and past projects.
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 http://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 - AIMS India Foundation, 13327 Misty Dawn Drive Herndon, VA 2017. 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.
Together as a TEAM, we can do wonders and I'll be doing the hardest part (running 26.2 miles) on October 28th. 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
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 the People's Marathon and gels perfectly with the mission of AIMS, which is to bring people together. This year our team has swelled to 35 members and we have raised our target to $35,000. 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 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 the organization's website for more information on the current and past projects.
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 http://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 - AIMS India Foundation, 13327 Misty Dawn Drive Herndon, VA 2017. 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.
Together as a TEAM, we can do wonders and I'll be doing the hardest part (running 26.2 miles) on October 28th. 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
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
I wish I could explain...
Damn! A powerful set of words spit and bound together in a span of 212 seconds made this video. This is dedicated to all the fathers and mothers who had to answer the most difficult question from their children about wars and death of fellow humans -- Tell me why people get killed by other people? Will Smith tried to take a crack at answering this profound, yet simple question posed by our children world over, in this video..Makes me yearn for more songs with such social messages that can change the way we look, see and think in this world, especially in the Middle East and South Asia! Time to stop this madness and start living our lives the right way!
Labels: 9/11, children and effects of war, September 11, Tell Me Why, War, Will Smith
