IN SEARCH OF A CAUSE

With Thanksgiving coming up, I've been wanting to give back for all the blessings I've had this year. I've been blessed with a beautiful wife, great kids, and in a few months our first grandchild. I've also been blessed with good health - which hasn't always been the case in my life.

Even before Ironman I have felt like I wanted to do something with my fitness and health to help raise money and/or awareness for a cause or condition. Athlete and Navy SEAL David Goggins is one of my inspirations. He participates in ironmans, ultramans, and ultramarathons to raise money for children of fallen special forces members. 

As Ironman drew near I regretted not thinking of having some fundraiser in place where sponsors could have donated money for every mile I trained. Kind of like a walk-a-thon. I trained well over 5,ooo miles. Even at a dollar a mile that would have been some serious moola.

For several months now I've been trying to figure out how to get involved and do something such as that. There's plenty of people and causes out there that are in search of money but few of them are willing to help you figure out how to do something unique and different to accomplish it. It's more of a "take this form, have people fill it out, collect their money and bring it back."  For those who can do that I applaud you, but I'm looking for something  that is a challenge for me. something that I have to work at physically to accomplish. Something that takes endurance and a lot of mental toughness. Something that  is worthy of what it would represent. If that makes any sense.

I've thought about Team In Training or Janis or other fundraising-type of organizations but I really want to do more than just fundraise. I'm not good at going around to friends and businesses and asking them to donate money that most don't have anyway. I think I'm leaning more toward raising awareness for a cause perhaps. I'd be happy just to run down the road with a vehicle following me with a banner on it for some cause. I have thought about getting a few sponsors and running around the island to raise money and awareness for something, but that's been done before. 

With Veterans Day just here I thought maybe I could run, bike or swim and try to raise money for supplies for the troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. I kind of like that idea since our son, Daniel, is one of those troops. But is that enough? Would or could I even get any donations? Would anyone join me? What would I do? How do you even go about getting support? It would have to be something noticeable. An attention grabber. Something public and something that would draw people together I suppose.

Or maybe something along the same lines as David Goggins is doing. Maybe try to do something for families of fallen Marines. Maybe just a letter of appreciation for their  sacrifice. But how do you even find out who to help?

As you can see, I have a lot of research to do. I'm open to ideas or suggestions. If anyone knows of any companies that provide help along these lines let me know. Or if you have ideas on just how to get started or whatever ...