Fundraising Update

Well my first goal has been achieved! This week I exceeded my initial goal of raising $2,000 and am very close to exceeding $2,500 too! My new goal is $3,000 and I really hope I can achieve that level. It represents two things for me...

1) The good that those funds can do to help other people. Did you know that with the city of Bridgport being in such poor financial shape, they are now auctioning off building lots that Habitat used to get for $1? It now costs on average $20,000 for a typical Habitat lot. That means that the good people struggling to afford a Habitat home now must take on $20,000 more in debt to achieve their dream.

2) It also means that I probably have many more good people honored on my shirt. Friends who have lost the fight against cancer, young boys who are in the fight of their life today, and Moms who have won the fight (for now, because we all know that it can come back at any time). It builds more resolve in all of us to support our loved ones in their personal battle and to band together to help wipe this horrible disease out so no one else has to be put through the horrible ordeals.

Last Saturday was my monthly Habitat work day. I was late because I needed to first drop my son off at his Boy Scout service project beautifying the grounds of a small church in town. I needed to do both myself because my wife was away in Mexico on a church mission trip to help out an orphanage for children, most of whom have been abandoned because they are physically or emotionally disabled. Afterward I went to a picnic which was put on by a wonderful young woman who wanted to thank the Habitat crew which built her home last year. I remember raising the walls of her home during our July "blitz build" and doing work throughout the fall on the exterior and interior finish work. It was so satisfying to see how happy and proud she was of her home as she gave us the grand tour. I was also impressed how much she had done after we completed our work to add her own personal touches to it for her children. Its what Habitat does beyond building inexpensive homes, it gives people hope, it builds pride and creates communities where there was once urban blight.

I have learned so much over the last 3 months about so many people that I mused the other day with a few people that when my journey is complete, I'd like to have a BBQ to get everyone possible together in one place... sponsors, honorees, and my support group. Its not just a race or a fundraiser to me, it is truly a journey that I almost hate to have end because the experience has created an awakening in me. I know that as much as I try to do with my family to service others, there is more to be accomplished and it can't stop on August 16th.

LiveSTRONG my friends!