Last night I was listening to an NPR segment on Jeremy Lin's shiny new contract with Houston and why the Knicks likely couldn't afford to match it (speculation is that it wasn't the luxury tax after all, but Dolan's hurt feelings).
I started wondering if there was still a sport in the U.S. that anyone played professionally just for the passion of it rather than the huge contracts, signing bonuses, and endorsement deals.
Doubtful.
Which made me sad, because in most every other industry and field professionals can easily have passion projects where they explore their skills and put them to use in whatever way they see fit. But you don't see many professional athletes being able to explore any passion or interest beyond their chosen field - at least for the duration of their pro career - because of time constraints and even contractual constraints/obligations.
I suppose I shouldn't feel too bad because these men and women are getting paid enormous amounts of money and are able to retire at a young age and THEN pursue such passions. But still, it was a moment of reflection.
Which is a tenuous way of introducing a new gizmo I found today for your gadget. Charity Miles is a smartphone app that suddenly transforms us regular plain Janes into "sponsored athletes."
I'll let that soak in for a minute.
But instead of doing it all for the money and being obligated to wear a bunch of logo-bloated merch or drink only grape-flavored HEED, this sponsorship is strictly of the do-gooder variety. When you use Charity Miles, corporate sponsors will donate $0.10 (biking) or $0.25 (walking and running) per mile to the charity of your choosing. Pretty neat, huh?
Here's how it works:
The 2012 Olympics in London are about to get underway, during which we will see a bevy of advertisements by athletic sponsors. Some will be good. Others will just be annoying.
Download and use this app to help pave a new road to corporate sponsorship - one of amateur and novice "athletes" logging the miles on behalf of their favorite charities.
Showing posts with label Charity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Charity. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
What is Crohn's disease, @CCFA_WI, and @TeamChallengeWI, and why am I running a half marathon with/for them?
Shout out to my teammate, Sunaina Talwar, for inspiring me in writing this post. I hope you don't mind that I took some direction from your informative and inspiring words!
Have you ever thought about running a half marathon (13.1 miles)? Have you ever actually run a half marathon? Have you heard of Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis? Have you heard of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America? Have you heard of Team Challenge?
Prior to March 2011 I would have answered ‘NO’ to all the questions above. Now, three months later I feel blessed with the opportunity to be educated and able to answer ‘YES’ to all but the second question above, because I am currently training to run my FIRST half marathon. Not for myself, but for those who suffer EVERYDAY with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis!
I would like to take this opportunity to provide you with information about this new adventure in my life, why I am taking this journey, and I want to also pass along the chance for you to help me make a difference in taking strides toward the cure of these diseases on behalf of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America.
Don’t worry, I won’t mind if you skim. :)
What is the CCFA?
The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America is a non-profit, volunteer-driven organization dedicated to finding the cure for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. It was founded in 1967 by Irwin M. and Suzanne Rosenthal, William D. and Shelby Modell, and Henry D. Janowitz, M.D. Four decades ago, the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation created the field of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis research. Today, the Foundation funds cutting-edge studies at major medical institutions, nurtures investigators at the early stages of their careers, and finances underdeveloped areas of research. Educational workshops and symposia, together with a scientific journal, Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, enable medical professionals to keep pace with this rapidly growing field.
No wonder the National Institutes of Health has commended the Foundation for "uniting the research community and strengthening IBD research.”
What is Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis?
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are collectively known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Crohn’s Disease:
Ulcerative Colitis:
What is Team Challenge?
Team Challenge is the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s endurance training and fundraising program. Through Team Challenge, you can run or walk 13.1 miles while helping to find a cure for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, two chronic and often debilitating digestive diseases that impact 1.4 million Americans.
On July 17th, 2011 from Napa, CA to Sonoma, CA I will be joining 25 other brave souls from Wisconsin and taking strides and running 13.1 miles towards the cure!
Why am I supporting Team Challenge?
You might be wondering why I have chosen this route, this challenge in my life. Well, I would like to take a moment and explain why I have chosen this direction and provide YOU with an opportunity to help complete my journey.
How it all began…
As most of you know, I’m not much of a runner. It’s always been on my Mighty Life List to run a half marathon, but I never really thought seriously about training.
Again, as many of you know, I turned 29 this year. One year shy of the big 3-0. It’s at this point in our lives that many of us reflect on what we’ve accomplished, where we are, and how close we’ve come to achieving our dreams and goals.
I’ve come pretty darn close.
I graduated from college. I became a missionary and spent a year overseas teaching English with my church. During that time I trusted God to provide for me emotionally, physically, and financially, and He certainly did so. Furthermore, He provided for me when I came back to the U.S. He blessed me with the best family in the world, who graciously gave me the time I needed to decompress and find my way back to a life in America. God provided me with an amazing opportunity to start a career in Milwaukee, and sent me even more amazing friends to welcome me here with open arms. I earned a Master’s degree on full scholarship and had the opportunity to; once again, travel overseas for work and study. I now enjoy a career in the nonprofit world, doing the kind of work I love, helping and training others to do the same in their own organizations, and completing all of this in an industry that allows me to give back just by showing up to “work” every day. How amazing is that?
God has been good to me. My life has been satisfying in a truly blessed way.
A few months ago I had been praying about what God had in His plans for me. I have several friends – those same friends God has so generously blessed me with in Milwaukee – who have trained with Team Challenge, and I knew it was something I needed to do. God put it within my heart that it was time to train and run a 1/2 marathon for those who are suffering from Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
I didn’t know what Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis were when I started this journey. I didn’t know anyone who suffered from these degenerative, and sometimes embarrassing, diseases when I started this journey. Since I started training and fundraising, however, I have met SO MANY who live with IBD every day.
Can you imagine having diarrhea every day for 3 months straight? Can you imagine going to the doctor every seven weeks for a painful and time-consuming IV treatment to counteract your symptoms? That's what people with Crohn's deal with. Normally, the immune system helps protect the body, but with Crohn's disease the immune system can't tell the difference between normal body tissue and foreign substances. The result is an overactive immune response that leads to chronic inflammation, sometimes even requiring surgery and removal of part of the bowel.
I am less than a month away from my deadline, July 6th, 2011 and 25% of the way towards my minimum goal of raising $3,000 towards the cure. Most people would be worried, nervous, or overwhelmed, but God has put this within my heart and I know that He WILL finish ANYTHING and EVERYTHING that He starts. I have NO WORRIES that this goal will be attainable. I have FAITH, TRUST, HOPE, and BELIEF that He will finish what he started and put within my heart!
How You Can Help
By now I hope you agree with me about the importance of this cause, making a difference, and having faith and hope – whatever that may mean for you in your life.
Please help support the CCFA in finding the cure for those with Crohn’s or Colitis with a generous donation of whatever amount your heart leads you to (THIS DONATION IS TAX DEDUCTIBLE). My deadline for fundraising in July 6, 2011 and if I don’t make it, I have committed to paying this amount on my own. It goes without saying that I can’t really afford that, but that’s not why I’m asking you to help. I’m asking you to help for my best friend’s father, who, before I started this journey, I didn’t know suffered from Crohn’s disease. I’m asking you to help for Katlynn, Team Wisconsin’s Honored Hero, who is now a teenager, but has suffered from Crohn’s disease since she was 7 years old. I usually give hugs, kisses and warm fuzzies for free, but just this once - and for a good cause - they’re going to cost extra.
To make donations simply go to this site
http://www.active.com/donate/napa11wisconsin/mandilindner
OR send in your donation check to me (email me or leave a comment for my address), PLEASE MAKE CHECKS OUT TO ‘CCFA’ and mail no later than July 1 PLEASE!
____________________________________________________________________
Once you donate I will be wearing YOUR NAME on MY JERSEY the day of the race, so YOU will be taking strides with me the day of the race as well!
____________________________________________________________________
On July 17th, when I run my first half marathon, my strides will be in honor of those people I have met during this journey who suffer from Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. If you know anyone that suffers from Crohn’s Disease and/or Ulcerative Colitis PLEASE let me know, because I would be HONORED to take my strides for them as well!
I am excited to see how else God plans to use me to make a difference, and all the other people that He will put within my path, like YOU. I would like to THANK YOU in advance for your consideration, time, and your support towards finding the cure of Crohn’s & Colitis!
SIMPLY CLICK ON THE SITE BELOW AND DONATE ANY AMOUNT, BECAUSE EVERY PENNY COUNTS AND HELPS TOWARDS FINDING THE CURE!
http://www.active.com/donate/napa11wisconsin/mandilindner
PS – for every $10 you donate, you will be entered in a drawing to win a Packers football signed by the entire Super Bowl XLV Championship team! If you’re a Packer’s fan – great news, right? If you’re not a Packer’s fan – just think of the hysterics you’ll cause when you tell your Packer fan friends that you’re going to sell it on eBay!
__________________________________________________________________
Current Couch Potato | Aspiring Runner:
Completing my first half marathon to benefit the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America will be a community endeavor. Won't you help me change lives?
Follow | Donate __________________________________________________________________
Have you ever thought about running a half marathon (13.1 miles)? Have you ever actually run a half marathon? Have you heard of Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis? Have you heard of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America? Have you heard of Team Challenge?
Prior to March 2011 I would have answered ‘NO’ to all the questions above. Now, three months later I feel blessed with the opportunity to be educated and able to answer ‘YES’ to all but the second question above, because I am currently training to run my FIRST half marathon. Not for myself, but for those who suffer EVERYDAY with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis!
I would like to take this opportunity to provide you with information about this new adventure in my life, why I am taking this journey, and I want to also pass along the chance for you to help me make a difference in taking strides toward the cure of these diseases on behalf of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America.
Don’t worry, I won’t mind if you skim. :)
What is the CCFA?
The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America is a non-profit, volunteer-driven organization dedicated to finding the cure for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. It was founded in 1967 by Irwin M. and Suzanne Rosenthal, William D. and Shelby Modell, and Henry D. Janowitz, M.D. Four decades ago, the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation created the field of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis research. Today, the Foundation funds cutting-edge studies at major medical institutions, nurtures investigators at the early stages of their careers, and finances underdeveloped areas of research. Educational workshops and symposia, together with a scientific journal, Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, enable medical professionals to keep pace with this rapidly growing field.
No wonder the National Institutes of Health has commended the Foundation for "uniting the research community and strengthening IBD research.”
What is Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis?
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are collectively known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Crohn’s Disease:
- Ongoing disorder that causes inflammation of the digestive or gastrointestinal (GI) tract
- Most commonly affects the small intestine and/or colon
- Areas of diseased intestine can be found throughout normal intestinal tract, more commonly referred to as “skip” areas
- Affects not only lining of the colon, but also thickness of bowel wall
Ulcerative Colitis:
- *Affects only the colon.
- There are no areas of normal intestine between the areas of diseased intestine, in other words, no “skip” areas
- Ulcerative Colitis affects only the inner most lining of the colon
What is Team Challenge?
Team Challenge is the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s endurance training and fundraising program. Through Team Challenge, you can run or walk 13.1 miles while helping to find a cure for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, two chronic and often debilitating digestive diseases that impact 1.4 million Americans.
On July 17th, 2011 from Napa, CA to Sonoma, CA I will be joining 25 other brave souls from Wisconsin and taking strides and running 13.1 miles towards the cure!
Why am I supporting Team Challenge?
You might be wondering why I have chosen this route, this challenge in my life. Well, I would like to take a moment and explain why I have chosen this direction and provide YOU with an opportunity to help complete my journey.
How it all began…
As most of you know, I’m not much of a runner. It’s always been on my Mighty Life List to run a half marathon, but I never really thought seriously about training.
Again, as many of you know, I turned 29 this year. One year shy of the big 3-0. It’s at this point in our lives that many of us reflect on what we’ve accomplished, where we are, and how close we’ve come to achieving our dreams and goals.
I’ve come pretty darn close.
I graduated from college. I became a missionary and spent a year overseas teaching English with my church. During that time I trusted God to provide for me emotionally, physically, and financially, and He certainly did so. Furthermore, He provided for me when I came back to the U.S. He blessed me with the best family in the world, who graciously gave me the time I needed to decompress and find my way back to a life in America. God provided me with an amazing opportunity to start a career in Milwaukee, and sent me even more amazing friends to welcome me here with open arms. I earned a Master’s degree on full scholarship and had the opportunity to; once again, travel overseas for work and study. I now enjoy a career in the nonprofit world, doing the kind of work I love, helping and training others to do the same in their own organizations, and completing all of this in an industry that allows me to give back just by showing up to “work” every day. How amazing is that?
God has been good to me. My life has been satisfying in a truly blessed way.
A few months ago I had been praying about what God had in His plans for me. I have several friends – those same friends God has so generously blessed me with in Milwaukee – who have trained with Team Challenge, and I knew it was something I needed to do. God put it within my heart that it was time to train and run a 1/2 marathon for those who are suffering from Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
I didn’t know what Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis were when I started this journey. I didn’t know anyone who suffered from these degenerative, and sometimes embarrassing, diseases when I started this journey. Since I started training and fundraising, however, I have met SO MANY who live with IBD every day.
Can you imagine having diarrhea every day for 3 months straight? Can you imagine going to the doctor every seven weeks for a painful and time-consuming IV treatment to counteract your symptoms? That's what people with Crohn's deal with. Normally, the immune system helps protect the body, but with Crohn's disease the immune system can't tell the difference between normal body tissue and foreign substances. The result is an overactive immune response that leads to chronic inflammation, sometimes even requiring surgery and removal of part of the bowel.
I am less than a month away from my deadline, July 6th, 2011 and 25% of the way towards my minimum goal of raising $3,000 towards the cure. Most people would be worried, nervous, or overwhelmed, but God has put this within my heart and I know that He WILL finish ANYTHING and EVERYTHING that He starts. I have NO WORRIES that this goal will be attainable. I have FAITH, TRUST, HOPE, and BELIEF that He will finish what he started and put within my heart!
How You Can Help
By now I hope you agree with me about the importance of this cause, making a difference, and having faith and hope – whatever that may mean for you in your life.
Please help support the CCFA in finding the cure for those with Crohn’s or Colitis with a generous donation of whatever amount your heart leads you to (THIS DONATION IS TAX DEDUCTIBLE). My deadline for fundraising in July 6, 2011 and if I don’t make it, I have committed to paying this amount on my own. It goes without saying that I can’t really afford that, but that’s not why I’m asking you to help. I’m asking you to help for my best friend’s father, who, before I started this journey, I didn’t know suffered from Crohn’s disease. I’m asking you to help for Katlynn, Team Wisconsin’s Honored Hero, who is now a teenager, but has suffered from Crohn’s disease since she was 7 years old. I usually give hugs, kisses and warm fuzzies for free, but just this once - and for a good cause - they’re going to cost extra.
To make donations simply go to this site
http://www.active.com/donate/napa11wisconsin/mandilindner
OR send in your donation check to me (email me or leave a comment for my address), PLEASE MAKE CHECKS OUT TO ‘CCFA’ and mail no later than July 1 PLEASE!
____________________________________________________________________
Once you donate I will be wearing YOUR NAME on MY JERSEY the day of the race, so YOU will be taking strides with me the day of the race as well!
____________________________________________________________________
On July 17th, when I run my first half marathon, my strides will be in honor of those people I have met during this journey who suffer from Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. If you know anyone that suffers from Crohn’s Disease and/or Ulcerative Colitis PLEASE let me know, because I would be HONORED to take my strides for them as well!
I am excited to see how else God plans to use me to make a difference, and all the other people that He will put within my path, like YOU. I would like to THANK YOU in advance for your consideration, time, and your support towards finding the cure of Crohn’s & Colitis!
SIMPLY CLICK ON THE SITE BELOW AND DONATE ANY AMOUNT, BECAUSE EVERY PENNY COUNTS AND HELPS TOWARDS FINDING THE CURE!
http://www.active.com/donate/napa11wisconsin/mandilindner
PS – for every $10 you donate, you will be entered in a drawing to win a Packers football signed by the entire Super Bowl XLV Championship team! If you’re a Packer’s fan – great news, right? If you’re not a Packer’s fan – just think of the hysterics you’ll cause when you tell your Packer fan friends that you’re going to sell it on eBay!
__________________________________________________________________
Current Couch Potato | Aspiring Runner:
Completing my first half marathon to benefit the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America will be a community endeavor. Won't you help me change lives?
Follow | Donate __________________________________________________________________
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Saturday, May 21: Cookies! For Kids with Cancer
I like kids.
I hate cancer.
I love baking.
So bam, there you have it.
You can find more info about the event here. I highly recommend you attend!
I'll be helping to raise money for a cause other than Team Challenge, but it's a good one so I encourage you to attend.
Purchasers of my baked goods will be delighted to also receive a little card of encouragement from yours truly, including information about my Team Challenge participation. See? Two birds...
In an effort to keep things healthy, what with my half marathon training and all, I will be making the following recipes.
Whole Foods Flourless Brownies*
1 (15 oz) can no-salt black beans, drained and rinsed
3 large eggs
1/3 cup melted butter
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/8 tsp. salt
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp. Splenda
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
1/3 cup finely chopped walnuts
Method:
Preheat oven to 350 F
Butter an 8-inch baking pan. Place black beans, eggs, melted butter, cocoa powder, salt, vanilla, and Splenda in food processor and blend until smooth. Gently stir in chocolate chips and walnuts. Transfer mixture to pan, and bake for 30-35 minutes or until set it center. Cool before cutting into squares.
*Image from Whole Foods Market
Dashing Dish Single-Serve Money Bread*
2 cans reduced fat Pillsbury cresent rolls
1/2 cup sugar free maple syrup
1 tbsp light butter
3 tbsp cinnamon
1/4 cup Splenda
Method:
Preheat oven to 350 F.
Spray 12 cup muffin tin with non-stick sspray. Open cans of crescent dough and cut each triangle into 3 equal-sized pieces. Roll each piece of dough into small ball, just a little smaller than a golf ball.
Combine splenda and cinnamon in bowl, and toss each ball in mix until coated. Place 4 balls in each prepared muffin cup.
Melt butter in microwave-safe bowl and add syrup and 1 tbsp cinnamon. Stir to combine. Pour over each muffin cup until dough is almost covered.
Bake 15-20 minutes or until carmelized crust forms on top of each monkey bread. Remove from oven and let cool 15 minutes. Use knife to loosen edges and remove.
*Image from Dashing Dish
If you'd like to attend, here are the deets:
Bake Sale & Silent Auction for Kids' Cancer
Saturday, May 21, 2011
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Best Place - in the Historic Pabst Brewery
901 W. Juneau Ave, Milwaukee, WI
__________________________________________________________________
Current Couch Potato | Aspiring Runner:
Completing my first half marathon to benefit the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America will be a community endeavor. Won't you help me change lives?
Follow | Donate __________________________________________________________________
Thursday, March 31, 2011
What did I get myself into?
Today I signed up with Team Challenge WI to run a half marathon to benefit the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America.Why?
Two reasons.
1. Running a half marathon has always been on my Mighty Life List (I don't do Bucket Lists...that puts the focus on death and that's morose.)
2. This opportunity is to benefit a great foundation to support research and treatment of an incurable disease, greatly increasing quality of life for those who suffer from Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. Learn more here.
Here's where you come in.
I need help.
I've never run more than a 5K before, in fact, I'm not much of a runner. Only by the grace of God and with your encouraging support can I make this happen. Luckily, Team Challenge WI is committed to helping me with coaches, training sessions, and 50+ other crazy folks like myself who will encourage each other as we strive for our goal.
If you'd like to keep up-to-date on my progress, please follow this blog (see right sidebar) and feel free to post your own tips or encouragement here.
Also, what I need most is help raising funds for this "run"raiser. I need to raise $3,800 in order to participate, at least 80% of which will go toward the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America.
Your donation is tax deductible, and I only need 75 generous hearts to donate $50 each in order to meet my goal.
Will you consider helping me reach my goal in finding a cure for this disease?
__________________________________________________________________
Current Couch Potato | Aspiring Runner:
Completing my first half marathon to benefit the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America will be a community endeavor. Won't you help me change lives?
Follow | Donate
__________________________________________________________________
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