A MESSAGE FROM Jeff’s Fundraising Page
Hello Friends! A little over a year ago, I began a journey to transform my life. I’d thought about this transformation for years. I’d tried countless different diets, exercises, programs, fads, and google searches only to end my plan faster than I started. Whether it’s the global pandemic we can’t escape, this side of 40, or my rescue dogs Clint and Ida, something clicked and convinced me it was time. Never thin in my adult life, I reached the point about a year into the pandemic that I had to stop living a sedentary lifestyle and become healthy and fit. I started a weight loss program first centered around my diet. It took some time before I was ready to exercise, but I’ve hit the ground running and haven’t stopped. In fact, I’m telling all of you this because I’m going to keep running. Now that I have lost over 100 lbs to date, I am going to continue this journey to challenge myself while having a chance to help others.
I’ve never been one for working out or running. Remembering what it felt like to lose my breath just walking several flights, as I began to see and feel positive physical and mental changes, I just decided I was going to take up running. I’d never run a 5K race, let alone a marathon. I hadn’t even seriously thought about doing so before. For the past 25 years, I’d lived along the route of either the Boston or NYC marathons and watched countless friends complete the race.
This winter as I found myself being able to increase my distance from city blocks to several miles, I decided to challenge myself. If I was able to stick with this healthy lifestyle, I saw no reason why I could not complete a full marathon. At times, 26.2 miles seems daunting, if not impossible, but I believe I can go the distance. In fact, I know I can.
That is why I’ve chosen to run on behalf of the Joe Torre Safe at Home Foundation to raise money for victims of domestic violence. The foundation provides healing services to youth who have been traumatized by exposure to violence including domestic violence, child abuse, teen dating abuse, and sexual assault in order to empower them to live healthy lives free of violence. Their mission is to educate to end the cycle of domestic violence and save lives.
I am looking forward to completing the marathon on November 6, 2022, but also to the spirit and comradery of the runners, volunteers, and well-wishers along the route (hopefully many of you)! The chance to raise money on behalf of this foundation and run alongside thousands of others all working together to raise money for so many important charities and causes just demonstrates the very best of who we can be as a society.
My goal for the NYC Marathon is to raise $5,000 on behalf of the Joe Torre Safe at Home Foundation. I hope you will consider donating to this next step in my journey!
Sincerely,
Jeff
