Small Strides

As we've continued working on planning our 5K, it has taken lots of insight from many people to keep us on the right track.  We've reached out to administration and some coaches who have planned races in the past.  We had to call multiple timing companies to get quotes on the cost and then determine how much we are willing to pay for their services.  (It is a fundraiser, after all!)

My initial inquiry question is changing as we work.  Now, I wonder, "How can we attract lots of people to our event in order to benefit Riley the most?"

Recently, I finished tweaking a document that we will use to send to potential sponsors.  I got some feedback from others and will need to make a few edits before it's ready to print.

By the end of today, I will be sure to check in with others about where we are on our timeline.  I will also send out a final version of the sponsor letter (after I've fixed it basked on feedback that I got from some editors).

Before next week, our group will need to clarify our timeline and update it.  We have accomplished a lot of the initial stages, and we need to re-think what needs to happen next.  We are currently ahead of schedule...but that won't last long if we don't keep working.

Welcome to my Genius Hour Blog!  I will be posting information about what I learn as I pursue my passion.  As I was pondering, I asked myself, "What can I do to combine something I'm interested in with serving others?"  I have chosen to collaborate with other English teachers, the Riley Dance Marathon Committee, some athletic teams, and more to plan and coordinate a 5K glow-in-the-dark run to raise money for Riley.  

I have always been into sports, and every since I graduated college and no longer played competitively, I've found running to be a great challenge.  It's rewarding, because I don't find it to be something that comes naturally for me, but I can sense the payoff both mentally and physically when I really dedicate myself to training.  This joy I find in the challenge of trying to be a runner matches perfectly with the joy I find in trying to serve others.  

I got involved with Riley Dance Marathon when I was in college, and I'm really excited that it has taken off so well at Fishers High School.  Having a fun event in the spring to help support our Riley efforts as a school will be a great way to top off all of the efforts the Dance Marathon Committee puts in all year long.  

We've decided to make our event at night in the spring, so that it will be really fun and different.  We plan to have lots of glow-in-the-dark paraphernalia and some ways to honor children and families who have had to spend time trying to heal at Riley Hospital.  Click here for more information about Riley Dance Marathon and here for a link to Riley Hospital's website.  There is tons of information about the children and families that are served, how to donate, and what donations provide.

I have already met with the English teachers who are helping to coordinate the planning about four times.  We have decided on a date, the course outline, a sponsor letter, a website for registration (click here to check it out), and some of the details of the event.  We've recruited a few athletic teams to help us and made sure to get on their calendar of events early.  One of us is working on developing a logo.  We were also sure to clear our ideas with the Riley Dance Marathon Committee.  (We hope they are as excited as we are.)  We'll be meeting soon to map out more of our timeline, but we know we will need to be contacting an organization for a timer, recruit some volunteers, reserve all facilities we will need, and seek sponsors.  A big challenge will be to get students and members of the community interested in the event, as well, since it will be a fundraiser.  

I better start running and planning now.  Ready, set, glow!