Runners Doing Good

Runners Doing Good to Again Run to Benefit NeighborLink Fort Wayne

While we work to formally organize the team as a non-profit entity, it would be easy to say that we should take ’20 off, at least until everything is set because it’d be easier, but when you’ve built a reputation based on running 200 mile relay races, stepping away from a challenge isn’t an option.

So it is with great excitement that we announce that once again, NeighborLink Fort Wayne is the beneficiary of our 2020 running and fundraising campaign!!!

Andrew Hoffman and the team at NLFW were a fantastic partner in 2019 and acknowledging that what we’re attempting to do here takes time and effort to both organize a fundraiser, a team event, and work towards nonprofit status, it was only logical to again work with such a supportive partner and reciprocally, support them.

So that we can give them a top notch effort and work towards the nonprofit piece at the same time, I have sought out ways to be more efficient by finding a race that simplifies the process while also living up to the epic standard that we’ve set for ourselves.

It’s why I am also excited to announce that we will be taking Runners Doing Good to Ragnar Trail Michigan in June! It checks all of the boxes on the difficulty scale but because it’s a smaller team and 130 miles of trails within a Michigan State Recreational Area with the team camping there, there’s no vans or houses to rent.

Planning should be far simpler than any year we’ve done this and while having fewer runners may result in fewer people working to raise money for the charity but we’re also finding savings of at least $1,000 in expenses with this race. If we continue to grow our sponsor list, my expectation is that we will return between $1500 – $2000 in area business support to our fundraiser which should mitigate any potential fundraising losses from fewer runners.

Also, we’re selling Runners Doing Good wristbands for $10 each as well. Once we raise enough to cover our start-up costs, approximately $1,000, 100% of our wristband sales will go towards the fundraiser. You can purchase one here!

Additionally, if you’re a fan of what we’re doing and of NeighborLink Fort Wayne as well, and want to be a part of the effort, contact me at runnersdoinggood@yahoo.com and I will fill you in on how you can become a Runners Doing Good Ambassador.

Lastly, THANK YOU! This is our 5th year and every time we’ve asked for support, you’ve answered the bell and then some. We only hoped to raise $1,000 in ’15 and found out we were on to something and then next thing we know, 5 years passes in the blink of an eye and we’re on the doorstep of raising our 25,000th dollar for Fort Wayne area charity. My heart warms and my mind almost explodes thinking about it. I hope we’ve made you proud to support what we do.

A Year of Thanks

“The New Year stands before us, like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written.” — Melody Beattie

As the final hours of 2019 wind down, it is fitting to reflect on it. Not everything was or is ever perfect but there’s always something for which thanks is warranted. Here’s a quick list of a few things I’m thankful for in ’19.

Friends!
- - Much of what I do and what the team does has been done on the back of friends. Without them, nothing is possible.
Ragnar Relay
- - It’s become a platform for achieving greatness. I don’t know that we could be able to raise the money we have the last few years without something epic being done. It certainly checks all of the boxes when it comes to epic. That’s for certain.
Encouragement
- - It goes without saying but without certain people, this just wouldn’t be possible. Friends, family, and all of our donors who have supported myself and the team so strongly these last 5 years. It’s truly be a lot of fun to do all of this. With all of you, we can’t go wrong!
Adversity
- - Ragnar Michigan was a heck of a challenge once again. Enough so that we’re not doing that exact course again. Working to raise $5,000 is daunting but that’s what we’re aiming for again. We’ve proven to ourselves and others that even with a little bit of encourage and a whole lot of the above, we can accomplish anything. And that thought is what has me so enthusiastic about 2020.

What are you most thankful for as 2019 fades into the past? Also, what are you looking most forward to in 2020?

Happy New Year’s Eve everyone. May today be a fitting, safe, and happy close to 2019 for you all and a wonderful opening of the door that is 2020.

Sincerely,

Gabe

2020’s Vision, Part II

As highlighted in Part I one of the goals was to have a race calendar so that 2020’s effort isn’t confined to 1 major event and anything else in the area is training for it. In our effort to better connect with the Fort Wayne area running community, we’re committed to making our miles count by participating in as many area events as we can.

If you would have an interest in running to benefit great causes in Fort Wayne & beyond as a part of Runners Doing Good, let us know! We’d love to have as many people joining us!

To be a member of Runners Doing Good, please commit to raising $150, and be willing to share yours and our story along the way, and we’ll hook you up with a team shirt so you can show off the brand while you run. At this time, we’re unable to cover costs of entry for any race other than the Ragnar Trail event in June, which is our major team event and by invitation only.

Hopefully in the years to come, we’ll be able to do some fun things like awarding free race entries for runners but right now we’re just trying to get this off the ground.

Here’s the races we’re committed to in and where you can join us in 2020:

Cupid’s Chocolate Chase 5k – February 16, 2020 – Downtown Fort Wayne. Get a soft long sleeve shirt, finishers medal, chocolate, wine slushies, and more for running this cool weather event! All proceeds to benefit NeighborLink Fort Wayne! Register here!

Pokagon Trail Challenge – Saturday April 18th, 2020 – Pokagon State Park – Fremont, IN – How about something different? How about a 5k or 7 mile trail challenge in a wonderful state park? Sounds like a great time and should be a great tune-up for what’s to come at the end of June. Register here!

Sunburst Races – Saturday, June 6th, 2020 – South Bend, IN – The Sunburst is a very well run, long time event in northern Indiana. You can a 5k, 10k, or half marathon, starting at Four Winds Field, the home of the South Bend Cubs, and finish at the 50 yard line at a Notre Dame. If you’re a football fan, trust me, it is awesome to come out of the tunnel and run onto the field! Sign-up here

Ragnar Trail Relay Michigan – Saturday & Sunday, June 27th & 28th – Grayling, MI – This is our major team run in 2020. We’re taking a year off from hitting the roads to hit the trails! 8 runners conquering 128 miles through the woods of Hanson Hills State Recreation Area in Grayling, MI! Follow our instagram and facebook pages to follow along with the camping and running adventure from sun-up to sun-down and back up again!

Promenade Freedom 4-miler – Saturday July 4th, 2020 – Fort Wayne, IN – Kick off your Independence Day with a new event to downtown at our newest attraction: Promenade Park! Run the rivers and see Fort Wayne like you’ve not experienced it before. Run this whether you’re running for us or not and help make this Epic Racing Events race a yearly tradition. Register now!

Fort 4 Fitness Fall Festival – September 25th & 26th – Downtown Fort Wayne, Parkview Field. Kids and Senior Marathon races on Friday night, 4 miler, 10k, and half-marathon on Saturday as part of Fort Wayne’s premier running, health, and fitness festival with a finish line at home plate of nationally recognized Parkview Field! Registration opens on January 1st. This link will be updated then!

Winter Wonder Dash 5k – Saturday, November 21st, 2020 – Franke Park, Fort Wayne, IN – Enjoy the first lighting of Blue Jacket’s Fantasy of Lights by running this course and taking in more than 100 lighted displays! Registration is not open yet but as soon as it is, this page will be updated!

Not listed will be NeighborLink Fort Wayne ‘s Night Moves races that haven’t been released yet. These are fun events within the Fort Wayne to take in during times of the day where you might not normally be running around town. A bunch of us attended one last year. Check out my race review here!

Lastly, if there’s a race you’re running in outside of these and want to do so, please do! If you’re committed to running to make your miles count for Runners Doing Good, I’ll make sure you get a shirt so that you can rep the brand. Make sure you take a picture!

2020’s Vision

“Never limit your vision based on your current resources” — Michael Hyatt

That quote couldn’t ring more true right now. Currently, as a team, we have approximately $29.48 to our name as a result of the 13 Runners Doing Good wristbands that we’ve sold so far. Yes, we’ve covered our upfront costs on that investment but the runway is still pretty long but if I’m going to look down the runway, it begs the question…..

What do I see? What are the steps and goals that are going to make 2020 a success? I thought I’d share some of what I see and hope is on the horizon. All of this could change and most likely will. Change is often the constant in life and in how this has evolved since we’ve begun this adventure, it’s been a powerful force.

So here are the goals as we set sail for all good things in 2020.

Goal #1 – Get Runners Doing Good off of the ground as an entity.

Goal #2 – Create a logo and update the website

Goal #3 – If Goal #1 is achieve, then create a RDG Ambassador program

Goal #4 – Create the fundraising calendar

Goal #5 – Create the running calendar

Goal #6 – Lock in the major event for 2020

Goal #7 – Lock in runners for major event and RDG Ambassadors

Goal #8 – Kick some butt for great causes within the Fort Wayne community and beyond

So while it may seem like a few easy one line goals, there’s a lot of work within those goals. Additionally, the picture is much bigger when it comes to some of those items.

For instance, the running calendar and major event line items. In previous years, we’ve run on our own various races, etc. to train for the Ragnar Relays we’ve run but not a ton that was coordinated. This year was the first year ran something during the year with the majority of the team involved, NeighborLink’s Night Moves. I’d like expand upon that.

Not only would I like to have that set group for a major event but I’d like to expand the group that’s fundraising and running to a much larger group that runs local races too like the River City Rat Race, any of the runs associated with Epic Racing, and have it all the running calendar or “season” end at the Fort 4 Fitness. I definitely want to support the local community. If any of them want to run in a race out of town to help spread the word about our group, that’d be awesome too.

Another aspect would be associated with a fundraising calendar. I would love to have a few charities or groups that we help but I’d like to have a few personal causes too. I’d love to put a call out to runners to raise money in November so that we can drum up $500 to go to a local store and buy a bunch of food to take to the Community Harvest Foodbank or something along that line where we can drop off something tangible.

I’d love to have this churning along where we could cover the cost of a bunch of kids to participate in the Fort 4 Fitness kids marathon. I think it’s important to support kids getting active so that they’re living healthy lives with fresh air and activity more often than screen time.

There are so many great organizations out there doing such varied things to help our community and in no way am I looking to replace anything they’re doing. If we can leverage the power of the running community, which is amazing, to make our mileage count by supporting these causes, that’d be amazing.

Now the question is….who’s ready?

A Runner Looks at 40

I’m not there yet but tomorrow’s my birthday and as my wife like’s to remind me, it’s a big one because it’s the last of my 30’s. She makes me laugh. I had one coworker this week tell me that 39 was his worst birthday and he freaked out and bought a mustang. I’m pretty sure if I did that, Jenn might head in another direction. Don’t worry sweetheart, I won’t. Maybe my freak out is thinking I can turn the running team into something more than it has been, but I think that’s more thought regarding the rational evolution of something with great momentum.

That said, a birthday is always a great time to look back over the last year, and in my case, my 30’s, as I begin to wind this fine decade down. Being that this is site and blog is largely about running I’m going to focus on that and my running goals as I put the arrow towards #40.

When I started this decade, I had been a year or two removed from the last of my pick-up basketball leagues and my church league softball I played. I was also just a few days from becoming a dad since my oldest’s bday is just a few days after. That winter and for the next 4 years, whenever the next of the little ones arrived, I found myself as inactive as I’d ever been in my life. I was busy trying to keep up with dirty diapers and helping my wife with the late nights, etc. but I wasn’t physically active.

Finally, right around my 33^th birthday, we went to my in-laws, for Christmas and God love her, but my MIL pats my stomach (I was wearing my peacoat) and smilingly says, “Do you have a present for me?” I said, “No.” She, thinking I was messing with her said, “Oh come on….you’ve got something under there!” I laughed, unbuttoned my coat and just said sheepishly, “Nope, I’m just fat!”

That was my first bit of motivation for losing some weight. I’m 6’1” and I was coming in around 220 then. I would go on to lose nearly 20 pounds and was feeling better but I’d still never gotten over the winter blah’s and always found 5-10 lbs of cookie, pie, and whatever else was around. All 3 of our kids were born either in the fall heading into the winter or right at the beginning of winter and our families were far too generous with the goodies and meals they brought us.

When I decided to run our first Ragnar, I was about 215 again and slightly climbing. Our youngest was just born and something needed to happen. I finally committed to running and I thought I’d trained really well for the race. I wasn’t fast by any means but I lost 15 pounds in the course of training as was down to 199 for the first time since I can’t remember. That weigh-in came the morning after I got home from the race. I’ve not seen it since.

Throughout all of my training I keep getting down to 200 or near it every time but the problem is that I keep finding the weight I’ve lost, nearly every time. I’m so exhausted and burned out from the process that I literally will find myself quitting running for weeks on end post Ragnar.

Through 5 Ragnars, soon to be 5 years of RNW, now Runners Doing Good, and nearly completely my 39^th trip around the sun, I’ve not found consistency in my running and while that might be the mode of adventure that I’ve used to go about our fundraising aspirations, I’m unsure if I can count myself a real runner. I’ve had moments where I’ve felt like it.

In 2017 during Ragnar Chicago I had a 6 mile run that took me through the Glacial Drumline trail between Madison and Milwaukee. We could see Jenn in the distance and there was a pack of folks lined up to take off at the exchange where I’d accept the baton. One guy acted like he was afraid of the next run and although he looked in pretty good shape, I thought to myself, just try to keep him in view and then catch him, if I could. One person after another would come in and the pack of 6 was down to 2: he and I. He would get a sizable head start on me. I’m not sure if it were a minute or two but he had a neon hat and shirt on from what I remember and I could see him down the track quite a distance and especially as we turned out into the country side where there wasn’t an cover. I somehow kept him in sight and I noticed that I was gaining, especially after the first 2 miles. By mile 4, I was only off of him by maybe 20 yards and by mile 5 he was a couple hundred yards behind me. I felt strong. I ended up finishing a good bit ahead of him and it was fun to be done and waiting on him.

Another time was later that year when I ran the Fort 4 Fitness 10k and ran the whole distance. My goal was to run it in less than 1 hour and when my app hit 10k distance, I was at 58 minutes. The problem was that I still had less than a quarter mile to go to the finish line at home plate at Parkview Field and my official time came in around 1:02, if I’m not mistaken so that goal is still technically out there but again, another day that I felt strong.

The consistency is what I’m striving for this year. That may be my most lofty personal goal. I know runners and the mileage they put in is due to that consistency. I have not run enough from one year to the next to say I’m anywhere near consistent, and maybe not even a runner.

So in the full spirit of disclosure, here’s my yearly mileage since 2015. 78 in 2015, 2016 – 116, 169 in ‘17, 151 in 2018 till I got hurt, and 191 this year. For someone that’s been “running” as part of this adventure to raise money through those running efforts, I’ve trained enough to complete the goal and while I love being out there, I’ve let the process get the best of me and there are long periods of time that I’ve lay out. Consequently, my weight has yo-yo’d in the same 10-15 lb range and I’m currently at the upper end of that, nearly 215 again.

I’ve proven that putting the work in can achieve some decent results but it’s time for some true change. Just running to finish can’t be the goal any longer. 2020 is going to be different so as I embark on this odyssey towards 40 and all things Runners Doing Good, here’s a few goals for the new year and I’ll report back on these quarterly:

Less screen time, more pavement time
Less pavement time, more trail time
Become a runner by finding consistency. At least 10 miles a week with the goal of 12-15 a week. If I do that, then I’ll more than triple my best mileage year ever.
Run that 10k in under an hour.
Run that 5k in under 28 minutes
Get to 190 = healthier me = faster me
No pop, just water.
No beer or wine…just kidding. Nothing wrong with a celebrating success. 🙂

Those are my running goals. Here’s 3 challenge goals that I’ll throw in there that with your help, I’ll go after.

If the team can get Runners Doing Good up to $5,000 in total donations by the end of our main event this year, I’ll run the Fort 4 Fitness 1/2 Marathon.
If we break our fundraising record by August 1st, I’ll go for the Triple Crown that they’re bringing back.
If we break $10,000 in fundraising this year, I’ll find a partner in crime and go Black Loop at a Ragnar in 2020 as a 40 year old.

So there it is, a year with some good running goals towards a healthier me for 2020 as well as some personal challenge goals attached to our racing efforts with 2020 and potentially 2021 repercussions.

All fundraising will start in January and count towards those goals. Anyone who wants to join the fun, let me know!

Thanks,

Gabe

On Daring Greatly

“The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by the dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly … who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly” – Teddy Roosevelt

I went through a leadership training course this past year and the above quote was included on our certificate of completion and it absolutely stuck with me. What stuck with me wasn’t so much about getting credit for doing anything special but for daring greatly. Daring greatly is remarkable.

We are Ragnarians. We Believe….Together We Can Accomplish Anything

For soon to be 5 years, I’ve recruited runners to participate in a race that tests your ability to handle some long distance running in multiple sets throughout a 30 hour time period, more or less, depending on how fast of a team we had and just in the running, I’d say we’ve dared greatly.

We’ve also dared greatly when it’s come to how far we’ve reached and strived for in our fundraising on behalf of others within our community. In four campaigns alone, we raised raised nearly $17,000 for Kate’s Kart, and then just this year, we raised just a tad short of $7500 for NeighborLink Fort Wayne. Our 5 race total is almost $25,000!

We’ve always strove for doing better from one year to the next but we largely stayed within the idea of attacking the challenge directly in front of us and again, we’ve been wildly successful but I keep having this burning feeling that there’s more to be done.

If we’re here to dare greatly and do a lot of good, then my belief is that the team is truly limited by two things: Only working in the here and now and having someone else’s likeness as our name and logo.

We could keep doing what we are doing, which would be great. We’ve had a lot of success doing this but I think we’d be shrinking and doing the safe thing by sticking to the same yearly plan. We’d also be holding back an untapped potential.

The team and I have been blessed this year to watch and witness the kindness and genuineness of the folks at NeighborLink Fort Wayne and a significant part of this next evolution of this crazy running adventure is inspired by their willingness to look outwardly towards those that need help around them.

There are many details to share in the coming weeks but for now the only guarantee I can share is that we will ALWAYS contribute to NeighborLink Fort Wayne and that the vision is to make a greater impact within the Fort Wayne community but also beyond.

Thanks for your patience and stay tuned!

– Gabe

Runners Doing Good: By the Numbers Post Ragnar Michigan ’19

3 & 2 – Number of Ragnar Relays run in Chicago and Michigan respectively

10 – Number of Vans rented

32 – Number of different runners that have run on behalf of ~~Runnin’ Not Walken~~ Runners Doing Good since 2015

969 – Miles run, in total, by ~~Runnin’ Not Walken~~ Runners Doing Good

5.8 – Fewest total miles run by one runner since 2015

82.66 – Most total miles run by one runner since 2015

11 – Longest consecutive miles run during a Ragnar – Kelly Kreischer running part of runner 1’s 2nd leg and her whole 2nd leg as well.

9 – Percentage of ~~RNW’s~~ RDG’s total miles that the runner with the most total miles has run

15 – Runners who have run at least twice with ~~RNW~~ RDG

7 – Runners who have run at least 3 times

188.4 – Mileage of the shortest course we ran (2017)

201.1 – Mileage of the longest course we ran (2018)

31 – Fewest hours on the course (2015)

33.75 – Most hours on the course (2018)

32.50 – Most current course time (Ragnar Michigan ’19)

94 – High Temp when we finished in Chicago in 2016, the hottest temperature we’ve competed in.

43 – Low Temp during the night run in Michigan in 2018, the coldest temperature we’ve competed in

27,000+ – Dollars raised for Fort Wayne area charities

Runnin’ Not Walken is now….Runners Doing Good!!!

We’ve been on this trajectory for some time so the beginning of December seems like a great time to kick this off! We have eluded to it for awhile and the name change has been in plain sight as this blog has existed for awhile now.

In the recent past, this site floated back and forth from a blog highlighting the goodness and inspiration that different runners were bringing to the world to more plainly being a longer form blog discussing my other passion project, Team Runnin’ Not Walken.

Going forward, a couple of things will be taking place here:

First, Runnin’ Not Walken is now Runners Doing Good. The team’s fundraising efforts have continued to grow at a surprising and humbling pace. It can simply no longer keep doing what it’s doing with another person’s likeness and name as part of our efforts. RNW was super fun while it lasted BUT this offers up a chance to be far more impactful than anything we’ve done before. The feeling truly is that there is “MORE” to do here.
In the vein of “MORE” to be done, the team is going to do something it has never done before: sell something! With its own name, the hope is to sell these wristbands, to start, as a way of drumming up funds to formally kick this off as a formalized entity. If all 400 of these wristbands, that I’ve purchased, were sold at the Cyber Monday/Giving Tuesday price, enough seed money would be raised, to fund the start-up costs.

Runners Doing Good Wristband

Join the movement! All purchases help cover the costs of team operations. Do some good and look good on the trail with your new Runners Doing Good wristband!

$10.00
The concept is to start a new non-profit, leveraging the amazing running community, so that the team can be more flexible, targeted, and self-sufficient in how we conduct the business of making an impact within our community and beyond.

You might ask, so why mess with a good thing? The truth is that an increasing amount of work has gone into this over the last couple of years. With some runners coming and going throughout that time, the team has found increased fundraising success despite the turnover that has occurred. There has to be some sort of steadying factor there because if a really good fundraiser or a runner with great connections drops and the sponsor that was also their place of employment goes with them, the funding for the team and/or funds raised for the charity are negatively affected. On a small budget, that can have some major repercussions if new sources aren’t drummed up.

The ability, through something like these wristbands, to raise a stream of revenue should help cover some costs along the way so that the team’s fundraising and funding doesn’t fluctuate so wildly from year to year. On a bad sponsorship year, it could keep funding where it needs to be and a good year could have a lot of folks smiling.

I know that to the outside observer, all you’ve seen are fundraising totals that have gone from a $1,000 goal in year 1 to nearly $7,500 last year and the difference from year to year, I promise you, is remarkable and it’s not just because the total has gotten higher. Many of those years, we’ve lost a major donor or sponsor, or multiples of each or just had a runner raise significantly less than in the previous year, to only have another couple members of the team go big and not only cover those losses but take us well beyond them. It’s been a pretty amazing thing to witness, but that roller coaster doesn’t come without its fair share of stress and worry.

You may also ask, so if the wristband sales work, what does the future look like for Runners Doing Good? We’re going to look outward to see where we can be of most help. More on that in a bit.

First and foremost, the inspiration for looking outward is two-fold. It started with Tim Green years ago. Tim has been a rock for us. His support has come financially, which can’t be understated, but more importantly and meaningfully, at least to me personally, through his belief in us. Here’s a guy that never had to get behind us but did believe in what the team and I were doing, encouraged us to continually reach higher and inspired me greatly. I’m truly grateful for Tim and I look forward to the day I can shake his hand.

Secondly, Andrew Hoffman and NeighborLink Fort Wayne has been a major inspiration to this vision. They consistently look for where they can help in the Fort Wayne community so that they can help affect even the smallest positive change in a neighborhood. They are steadfast in their mission and it was a true priviledge to run and fundraise on their behalf in 2019.

So lastly, who are we running to benefit in 2020? If I can get this organized, then NeighborLink Fort Wayne is first in line. They’ve been such an amazing partner and while the team going independant disconnects our business effort a bit, I’m fully committed to supporting them before anyone else in 2020. They bring so much love and goodness to Fort Wayne, I can’t not support them.

Beyond them, I see us supporting two other types of things. First, a charity outside of Fort Wayne. I have a few in mind and if you read some of the previous blogs postings, especially Inspiration for Change III, I think you can figure it out. If we’re going to continue to grow, then helping a charity outside of the area is important.

And lastly, support something completely independently of what any other group is doing. The thing that comes to mind to me immediately is that we’re a running group. I’m a dad so I have a softspot for children and my own love the Fort 4 Fitness. Why not, encourage healthier habits in area children by working out something with the F4F where we can cover the cost of 50 children to run in the children’s marathon? Doing something like that would be awesome.

Thanks for reading so far. Please consider buying a wristband and I’ll make sure to get you one promptly.

I look forward to sharing more with you in coming days but for now, as Thanksgiving Weekend is winding down, know that I’m truly grateful for all of you whom have supported Runnin’ Not Walken and in the past and I hope to continue to earn your backing as we go forward with this crazy running adventure.

Sincerely,

Gabe

My List of Thanks

It’s never a bad time to reflect on what makes us thankful. A year of progress, new friends, accomplishments, struggles, failures, and lessons learned all fit within that but it can be especially powerful as we approach the end of the year to focus on what makes us thankful. We can focus on things we would do differently, things that upset us, struggles and the things we learned through them, another time.

Now is a time to be thankful. Here’s what I’m giving thanks for this Thanksgiving:

My Family — When you are putting together a fundraiser that lasted the majority of the year, which was the longest we’d ever run one, and still trained and operated the running team, it doesn’t come without some level of sacrifice. To have a spouse that’s a rockstar, who’s fully invested in this and making it as success, that’s a gift. To have children and extended family who are super supportive of all we do, it’s a blessing and I can say unequivocally that I am a blessed man.

NeighborLink Fort Wayne and Andrew Hoffman — What they do for our community needs to be shouted from the mountain tops! They are such a witness to what “doing the right thing” is all about. I’ve mentioned it before but I just see how they look outwardly towards others to see where their help can be needed next and I find that truly inspiring. More than once during this whole process I’ve had moments where I’ve had doubts about where this goes next and I don’t believe coincidentally enough, Andrew would post something, either personally, or through the NLFW social media channels that provided perspective and comfort to the thoughts I was having and I’m truly grateful to him for that on a personal level.

Runnin’ Not Walken — It’s been a great run, pun intended, and there have been so many good times, good runs, and good people involved. How the team looks next year from the event to the runners to the cause(s) we’re hoping to benefit, could all look a good bit different but what remains from this wonderful time are a lot of great memories.

Running — This isn’t for just this past year but it is something that after dealing with pain from it in late 2018 and into the spring of this year, I have a greater appreciation for now than before. Admittedly, I’m not as consistent with it as I should be and my waistline shows it but it’s something that 20 years ago I could never have foresaw enjoying, much less using as the base activity for a fundraising effort. It’s become something that’s brought our family together since Jenn and I do this together and the kids enjoy the local events. It’s something that when I do eat well and show some consistency in it that I find myself feeling better both physically but mentally and emotionally too. It’s something that’s brought me into contact with great people and organizations. It’s a blessing and I look forward to finding more consistency in 2020 than ever before. There will be a time when I can’t do it any longer but today and as far as I’m concerned the foreseeable tomorrows are not those days.

This is a smaller list of thanks than last year but it’s a much more personal list too. I hope this Thanksgiving is a day of continued joy for you. If you have something or someone you’re thankful for, please share them or it with us all in the comments.

Sincerely,

Gabe

Inspiration for Change, Part III

A year ago at this time, I was really unsure of what the next step for Runnin’ Not Walken would end up being. I had made the devastating decision to walk away from Kate’s Kart, the board there, and all that the team and I had built that had revolved around them. I felt then that it was the right decision to make and still do. There were things as they were growing that just didn’t line up any longer with what we were doing. I felt like the runway there was pretty lengthy but it all came to a head so suddenly that in many ways, it was heart breaking to step away from something that the team and I cared about so much.

It was also really scary. Change can be that way. It also presented a great opportunity to regroup. Kate’s Kart is an amazing story and I’d suggest anyone take a look at them because their mission and impact with the community is great. Part of that hesitation on my part was because I was concerned that because they benefit children in the hospital, something people can really get behind, was the success we had a direct result of them or did we really have something?

Enter Andrew Hoffman and NeighborLink Fort Wayne. I’ve told the story before but I met with 3 different people prior to making my decision on who the running team would work to benefit next. One had reached out to meet me to learn more about the team and I and I felt it was a good networking opportunity to learn more about a group he represented. Another was an Executive Director of another great local charity. Both asked about who else I was looking at. I mentioned NeighborLink and they gushed about how great of a person that Andrew is and what they’re doing there. You could tell they felt we were better off going with NeighborLink and then I met Andrew and felt the same.

Andrew has been nothing but supportive of our group. We tried to hook up in the spring to do a video but timing of things just didn’t work out. Everything that he promised to do, he did. He provided opportunities for us to leverage their social media presence like during the race when we took over their Instagram Stories. It really helped aid us in doing what we had always been successful doing, but more and the results where there as we had our best year ever, continuing the growth pattern that was evolving for our team.

The team and I also attended a Night Moves race and were blown away by the NeighborLink community. Everyone was so genuine and nice. It was truly a testament to the culture, not just of the organization, but of everyone that supported them, that they have fostered. At their soul, they are an outward looking group of loving, generous, and caring people who seek those who need a hand. “Work Hard. Do Good. Love Wins.” It is a simple yet deeply meaningful approach.

So as I look at 2020, it is with an outward looking approach. NeighborLink Fort Wayne will ALWAYS be a charity that we look to benefit annually. I just have too much belief in what they do that there’s no way I can turn my back on them but my hope is to ultimately do more for more charities both locally and beyond.

There’s just so many that are amazing that when this feeling of needing to dare greatly to do “more” it’s difficult to discern who we should help and how many besides NeighborLink should be included but here’s a list of groups, and their missions, that are great places to start. If you have any you believe we should add to the list, leave them in the comments below!

Locally:

Erin’s House for Grieving Children – to provide support for children, teens, and their families who have suffered the death of a loved one.

Community Harvest Foodbank – Founded in 1983, now serving 9 counties, with the mission to alleviate hunger through the full use of donated food and other resources.

Healthier Moms and Babies – to reduce infant mortality and improve the outcome of pregnancy in Allen County by offering health education and case management services to low-income, high-risk pregnant women and their families.

Ray of Hope Medical Missions – Founded in 2012, with a mission of securing medical services in the US for international children in need of medical intervention.

Passages – Based in Columbia City, IN, Passages has been dedicated to helping people with intellectual disabilities or other challenges thrive in the community at work, at home, and at play since 1954.

Mad Anthony’s Children’s Hope House – Their mission is to offer temporary, minimal-cost lodging to parents and families of children receiving medical care away from home.

Cass Housing -The mission of CASS Housing is to create and maintain Customizable, Affordable, Sustainable, and Safe living arrangements for individuals with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities that promote independent living skills.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Fort Wayne –Founded in 1972, the mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana is to create and support one to one mentoring relationships that ignte the power and promise of youth.

Beyond:

Brave Like Gabe -Support rare cancer research and empower all cancer survivors through physical activity.

Team Red, White, and Blue – Team RWB’s mission is to enrich the lives of America’s veterans by connecting them to their community through physical and social activity.

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society – LLS’s mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital – The mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Consistent with the vision of our founder Danny Thomas, no child is denied treatment based on race, religion or a family’s ability to pay.

Run Freely -Run Freely was founded with the mission to provide financial support for veterans with limb salvage conditions and in need of a solution to avoid amputation.

So as we dare greatly and look outwardly towards where we can help, inspiration is not something the team is short on. While this isn’t announcing anything concrete, I hope it provides a bit of insight into the thought process that the changes aren’t just being made to take more control of the team.

These things are happening so that going forward, we can be as flexible as possible so that we can ultimately make a greater impact than what we’ve already done. There’s a lot of work to do but this is truly exciting. Thanks for coming along for the ride.

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