$10 makes all the difference in the world

$10 makes all the difference in the world

Standing in the grocery line on Tuesday found Sally commiserating with a lady about buying food on a budget.  The conversation turned to kids living at home.  The lady shared her story with Sally about how here son had moved back home recently.  He was 40 years old and due to complications from diabetes, he was unable to work. 

Sally shared our story of how diabetes affected us.  She also continued with my running in the Reggae Marathon on December 5 in Negril to raise $10,000 for the Canadian Diabetes Association. 

What happened next is stunning.

The lady, a stranger to Sally pulled out a $10 bill and gave it to her for the CDA. 

Chance meeting, two strangers in the grocery checkout line sharing personal stories.  Connecting.

I don't know who you are, but that $10 bill means more to me than breathing.  It makes all the difference in the world.  Thank you.

Below is the donation form.  If you have not donated yet, please click on it to download it.  Fill it in and send it directly to the following address:

Canadian Diabetes Association

4 - 556 Bryne Drive

Barrie, Ontario, L4N 9P6

Until next time...from Negril

Customer service that had me free and laughing!

Good things do happen to good people. Read the full story about a positive customer service experience posted on 'Free and Laughing', a blog published by Marguerite Orane. Customer service that had me free and laughing!

Giving is the right thing to do!

Givers Gain.

That is the motto of  Business Network International (BNI).  I belong to the Georgian Bay Chapter based in Collingwood.  I use it with respect to illustrate the positive and inspiring things we have Reggae Marathon December experienced throughout 2009.  Especially in working toward the goal of raising $10,000 for the Canadian Diabetes Association by running in the Reggae Marathon on December 5 in Negril, Jamaica.

 So far we have raised just over $3,800.  Sally and I are blown away by the generous donations so far.

With two weeks to go, the final push is on:  training peaks this weekend with a long slow distance (LSD) run on Sunday with the Wasaga Beach Road Runners.  And we are looking for ways to raise the final $6,200.  You can reach me directly at chris.morales@bell.net with suggestions.

Through all of this we have learned what "Givers Gain" really means. People give because it is the right thing to do.

Family, friends, business associates, on-line friends and total strangers have given to the CDA to continue education and research into Diabetes.  We have been moved by the generosity of all our donors.  Large or small...it doesn't matter.  Each one counts.

I have been given advice on training and nutrition.  Some unsolicited.  All valuable.  I have been to a chiropractor, undergone hypnotherapy, had a pedicure, bought better shoes. 

I am eating more fruits and vegetables, drinking less alcohol, reducing salty snacks. As Sally says, "gotta take care of that 50+ body". 

I am running smarter and including rest days. To all the members of the Wasaga Beach Road Runners:  Thank you!

But the biggest lesson?  Its not all about me.

I started this whole thing because I wanted to finish a marathon.  "Me, me, me!"  Everything changed when I decided to dedicate the attempt to raising money for the CDA.  That simple decision kept me sane through the challenges of 2009.  It unleashed kindness, generosity and support.  We knew it was there...just needed a hand to be released.

Givers Gain.  It feels good!

Until next time...

What a blast playing paintball while raising $'s for the CDA

To say we had 'a blast' on November 14 would be an understatement. 

A small but determined group gathered at Wasaga Paintball last Saturday to play paintball and to raise money for the Canadian Diabetes Association.  We had a glorious day:  sunny with the temperature in the mid teens. 

It was a weekend event:  a full afternoon of paintball followed by a banquet dinner at Beverly-on-Main and an 'afterparty' back at Saga Resort where the entire group stayed.  Sally and I didn't make the afterglow.  No, not because the young people tired out the 'old man'...I had a long run planned for Sunday morning and would not have been able to participate fully.

If only I had known what I was in for...

Thanks to the very generous donation from Strongbar Industries...love the top and hat, very 'slimming'...the entire weekend resulted in us raising over $1,100 for the CDA. Getting shot by the 'kids' was worth it!                             

This is a 'Before' picture...I have no idea what's coming. 

"Hey, is this really necessary?"

Absolutely it turns out. Wish I had worn some padding underneath. Wouldn't have stopped the 'sting' of being hit and put out of the game, but it would have reduced the welts: at least 20...I stopped counting.

Wasaga Paintball is NOT your average paintball experience.  They have over 70 acres of outdoor playing fields.  More than 12 different themed areas.  From the 'Wild West' (our favourite) to 'Black Hawk Down".  Running, shooting and tripping all part of the game. 

And with the gang all assembled, our safety briefing completed, and the adrenelin pumping, our referee for the day took out us out onto the playing field.  

Four glorious hours of scampering up and down the rugged terrain, hiding behind tree stumps, defending our positions, attacking all the time.  Whew, what a workout!

Break time!  Sweating bullets!  Needed to re-load the paint balls, charge up the CO2 in the markers and grab a drink.  Thanks to the local Water Depot in Wasaga Beach for the generous donation of water...don't know what we would have done without it.

No 'After' pictures thankfully.  That would not have been pretty.  Thanks Sally for the great pictures.

I learned a few things last Saturday:

1. Never stand still in war
2. Always have a plan before you start
3. Throw out the plan and improvise quickly once underway
4. Survival is the only thing that matters
5. It hurts when you get shot!
6. Kids like shooting at their Dad

More importantly I learned that young people care.  The guys and girls who took part gave up their weekend to help raise money for a cause.  I am proud of each of them for their support.  "I'll remember you at mile 25 of the Reggae Marathon on December 5"

Until next time...