Charity

There are pictures and a video at the bottom

Earlier this year, 2008, I challenged myself to run the LA Marathon. Then I thought, well if I am already running it I might as well create something positive out of it, so I decided that I would run for charity. I called up a family friend of mine Laurie Bernhard who suggested United in Harmony. I had heard of this organization because a bunch of people used to go in high school. The camp that the organization runs, Camp Harmony, provides homeless and impoverished children with a fun and safe overnight camping experience in the Malibu Hills. When I look back, I remember thinking to myself why would these people want to give up their summer to do that. The thought of volunteer work was not even remotely close to what I was thinking, but now I get that when you give a good day, you get a good day.

Before the Marathon I went up to United in Harmony to help out and see what it was like. I was really impressed and blown away by the commitment the staff had to this place. Most of the staff people had been going to the camp for more then 8 years. Playing with the kids that day and talking to the other volunteers affirmed my choice to run for them.

The LA Marathon was an amazing experience. I have never pushed my myself as hard as I did that day. The Marathon is 26.2 miles and for most of it I was doing ok, until mile 22 when I hit the wall, as they say. I had no physical strength left, I had to repeat in my head every second for the next 4 miles that I was going to make it. Coming down the last stretch was surreal. There were thousands of people cheering the runners on as I mustered up the last bit of energy for the end. When I finished, I literally wanted to kill myself and anyone who talked to me. I can’t tell you the pain I was in, but after a while I started to feel amazing and that night I slept like a baby. I told myself I would never do a marathon again, but after writing about it, it makes me want to do it again and beat my time of 4:08. So close to under 4! Next time I’ll do it.

United in Harmony website

I want to thank all of the people who supported me and helped me raise over $5000. With their help about 11 homeless and impoverished kids will be able to go to camp for a week. While there, they will get opportunities to develop positive self-esteem through interacting with teenage and adult role models. From the bottom of my heart, thanks again

Mike Lloyd Ahern Marshall & Dawn Bein Ria Berkus Laurie Bernhard Kimberly Davis O’Neill Dennis Stuart Bloomberg & Mary Farrell Gail Ellis & Samuel Fox Nancy & Gary Freedman Lloyd & Laurel Garver Judith & Patrick Gigliotti Renee & Allen Gilbert Leiko Hamada Mimi Baer & Arthur Hoyle George-Ann Hyams Stanley & Nancy Iezman Ronald & Carol Jacobi Kathryn Kettler Colleen & Kevin Kilbuck Lynda & Herbert Kirby Wendy Klappholz James Klein Robert J. Levy Gaylord Litenberg Sarah Oestreich Doris Ollestad Carolyn & Terry O’Neill Robert Reece Kerr & Darrell James Pickford Lois Reinis Jack Rosenbaum Thomas Safran & Assoc. Ralph & Amelia Saltzman Louis Savett Elise Schumock Ronna Slutske Robert & Margaret Stelzl Bruce & Judith Stern Nancy Morgan Ritter Dana & Edward Twining Jan & Mark Victor Lynn Wallace Terry & Rose Walzman Alex Walzman Patti O’Neal & Mark Walzman Lynn & Mark Williams Stephen & Nina Winterbottom Alexandra Zacharias Marcia & Steve Zacharias Zachary Zalben Target Promotions Inc.