Run for a Reason

The children of Oak Ridge Elementary School are stuck in one of the most economically deprived and poverty-stricken environments on the West Coast. Sacramento’s Oak Park neighborhood has been called “one of the worst of California’s ghettos.”

In 2008, Jason Harper ran 100 miles and raised enough money to secure enrollment into health care for every child. When the school year started 12 percent were enrolled. At the end of the school year, 82 percent of the kids had health care coverage. After-school programs were created. California STAR testing measuring academic progress made double-digit gains. Teacher turnover was only one teacher, opposed to the annual 50 percent turnover of previous years.

So why am I telling you all this... because of two reasons:
1. To raise awareness so that when you hear of the children of Oak Park, know that good is growing.
2. To raise funds through my efforts in the California International Marathon.

I am part of a movement that is committed to securing one runner on behalf of every child on that campus. Each runner is seeking to raise $1000 per child to cover: excellent after-school programming, literacy, nutrition and fitness
awareness, and continued health care enrollment assistance. I’m asking you to consider sponsoring my run. Take a moment and watch the video below.

It will move you to see the world different.

It will challenge you to consider the plight of an inner-city child.

It could change you, reminding you that life is better when we live and give for others.

Until then, we run.