Why I have Chosen to Give Back by Running my Local Doylestown 5k
(PRWEB) October 22, 2013 -- I'm a guy who puts things off until the last minute. I don't know why, I just do. Anyway, I finally got around to signing up for the Race Against Poverty and I'm really looking forward to running this weekend. I hold no visions that my finishing time will put me on the front page of the local paper or that I'll be rewarded with one of those oversized checks they give people who win stuff. My big goals for this 5K is to have fun, run in the middle of the pack, and enjoy a Saturday morning with friends.
The biggest reason I'm running in this race is because I think it is important. These are a few reasons why:
1. I want to be a person who pauses life to think about others. A few years ago I met Matt and Jackie Jones and they shared about the crisis facing the people of Haiti. Their presentation educated me, but more importantly stirred my heart to care. Because of where I live, and God's grace, most of my life is isolated from the realities of extreme poverty. Although I know it is happening across the globe, I can easily shut it off. On October 26th, I will hit pause for a few hours and do a very small thing for those who live in poverty in Haiti. I will practice the discipline of remembering and caring.
2. I think it's best to do things I believe in with others. I think doing life together is best. When we do things with others, we have more fun, we get more done, and we realize that we are not alone in trying to do something good in this world. When we join our voices with others, our message is amplified. When we all get together-runners, kids, volunteers, and fans- we say in a loud voice, “Extreme poverty is a reality in our world, but together we can do something about it!”
3. I believe in Poverty Resolutions! They are an impressive organization that is making a real difference in the lives of people in Haiti. I think their vision for building sustainable solutions is wise and it's the way ahead for helping generations of people break the cycle of poverty. Most of all, I like their hearts. They care and it shows. I can get behind that!
Does running in a 5K make me some kind of hero or humanitarian? No, probably not. But maybe it does make me someone who is trying to care about things that are important in the world and do some something about them. Maybe you are the same kind of person. Maybe you should come too. It would be nice to meet you. Maybe we can run a mile or two together. -- Phil Dunbar
Andrew Jones, Poverty Resolutions, http://www.povertyresolutions.org, +1 (267) 544-9094, [email protected]
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