17th Annual Homerun For the Homeless 11/27/08

ABOUT

• GENNESARET : Founded in 1986 to provide long term housing for homelss two parent families. Gennesaret also operates a family nutrional center providing free hot meals on Tuesday and Saturday to needy families and individuals within the community.
• HOMELESSNESS FACTS: In 2007, the National Alliance to End Homelessness reported approximately 744,313 people experiencing homelessness in January 2005. An Urban institute found that in 2000, 39% of homeless people are children. Some recent foreclosures and job looses have contributed to an increase of homeless families, struggling for much more than work and shelter as the weather grows cold. An Ohio Department of Development study suggests a direct relationshiup between family poverty being worse than national averages due to the direct association between family poverty rates and the inequality of family income

Today I registered for the 17th Annual Gennesaret Home Run for the Homeless. What a wonderful way to really connect with the community. Gennesaret is an innovative all volunteer nonprofit corporation where event proceeds go directly to help those who are in dire financial straits with family housing and nutrition.

Last year I ran the race with a goal to finish, and still be breathing. Funny how the universe reminds you with a sense of humor what you say when you talk to yourself. I finished the 4 mile, in cold and snowy weather barely breathing because of cold stress induced asthma. Okay so a 15 minute mile is not blazingly incredible, but it was the idea of finishing when I wasn't sure I could, that appealed to me.

This year I run the roadrace, my second since surgery, with a goal to finish with an average 11 minute mile. I will finish with gladness, with gratitude, and with joy for my health that is improving every month. I will celebrate on Thanksgiving day the optimistic and promising improvements over the last year.

OTHER RESOURCES:

• Poverty and Homelessness Volunteer Opportunities Help Food Banks. Promote Adult Literacy. Organize a donation drive. Make Hygiene Kits for Homeless People. Locks of Love, Donate Used goods, prescriptions eyeglasses, toys, books, etc.
  
• ONE.org Campaign for global poverty relief. Volunteer, wear the gear, join the communities... ONE is Americans of all beliefs and every walk of life - united as ONE - to help make poverty history. We are a campaign of over 2.4 million people and growing from all 50 states and over 100 of America's most well-known and respected non-profit, advocacy and humanitarian organizations. As ONE, we are raising public awareness about the issues of global poverty, hunger, disease and efforts to fight such problems in the world's poorest countries.