five thousand footsteps

last year, just about this time, i discovered reece's rainbow.
my eyes were opened, and i couldn't look away.

i had to do something.
so, i attempted to do something that i thought could be big.
little did i know, it would fail. miserably.
as in, never happen.

it was a virtual walk-a-thon, called five thousand footsteps.
the concept was simple (at least, i thought so.)
sign up to take part in a walkathon.
do it from anywhere. where you live, where you vacation, wherever you are on the dates that it takes place.
over the course of a month, attempt to walk/run as many miles as you can, getting sponsors to donate based on your miles.
the event would take place over the course of a month. someone insanely fit, with lots of free time, could possibly log 300 miles. someone else, someone with kids, or not so active, or a long-hour desk job, they may only log 30 miles.
the point was, you focus a part of each day on walking to bring a child home, and you let people know why you are doing it.

it was something that could be done in groups. mommies groups could get together and push strollers for the cause.
fitness centers could have members logging some miles.
families could participate together.

or, if you wanted, you could do it as an individual. normally a jogger? why not do the same thing you do each day, but with a different purpose in mind over the course of the month?
new to fitness? maybe a great way to stay focused and reach a short-term goal.

there was no sign-up fee, there was no required amount to be raised.
it was simply,
try.
try to raise money for the miles you move.
try to raise awareness for these children.

5,000 miles is the approximate distance separating eastern european orphans and the north american families with resources available to raise them.
if 100 people signed up to participate, and each person raised one hundred dollars,
that's 10,000 raised during this one event.
if each person were able to raise five hundred dollars,
that's 50,000.
if two hundred people agreed to participate over the course of one month, raising five hundred dollars a piece,
one hundred thousand dollars
would be raised to bring children home.

do i dream big? i guess so. when you fall flat on your face, your supposed to feel like you shoot too high, right? you're supposed to get down off your horse, step away from the soapbox, just say, "I'm never doing that again!" right?

in high school, my guidance counselor called me tenacious.
it has always stuck with me. i guess i like it.

so naturally, even with last year's failed attempt,
i just can't let it go.
i still see five thousand footsteps as something big.
so, this year, i'm starting early.

i want pledges, people. i want YOU to step forward, to say, "i'm in."

200 people.
that's my goal.
across the country. heck, across the globe.
all agreeing to spend one month focused on one goal. getting these children home.

prove me right.
prove to me that this can be done.
because i know it can. and if it can, it should.
my blog has just over 50 followers.
if each of you chose to participate, and you find just three more friends or family members to do the same,
we'd reach a crowd of 200.

can we do it? yes. i am one hundred percent sure it can be done.
will you do it? i sure hope so.

i don't want to fall flat on my face again this year. i want to know that a simple concept can make a huge change.
so, without getting too into it right now, i'm putting the idea into your head. as of now, no dates are sets, no details put into motion.
instead, right now, i'm just putting out the call. sending the call, and seeing who will answer.

are you willing to answer my call? leave a comment, and let me know. i'd love nothing more than to see 200 people raising their hands and tying up their laces!

(wow... coming back to edit as i've already had quite a few reads and responses. whoo! in a future post, i will tell you the planned dates, sponsor details, etc. for this. right now, i just want numbers. remember, even if you are adopting, you can be a part of this for others. i've got a great idea for if we can raise big funds on this one... to help with lots of adoptions. so whether you are in the process, are a future adoptive parent, or someone who wants to support getting kids into homes, you can be a part of the mission!)