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Stepping Onward to Run Across Florida For Homeless Awareness
Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “The measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy”. If you were asked this question, what would your answer be?
November is National Homeless Awareness month, and as the economy continues to pose new challenges, homelessness has become a growing problem not only in Central Florida, but across the country. Recently we told you about Stepping Onward, a new local non-profit that was taking a different approach to the challenges of homelessness. They have created an organization that helps get individuals back on their feet through running and mentoring.
They currently work with Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida, The Orlando Union Rescue Mission and the Recovery House in Sanford. In addition, they have also formed a running group with teenagers who are involved in the Seminole Country Foster Care program through Community-Based Care (CBC) of Seminole.
I am proud to say that I will be part of Stepping Onward’s most ambitious project to date, a 201.3 mile run across the state of Florida to raise money and awareness for homelessness. With a generous sponsorship from Feet Fleet Sports Orlando and the Ragnar Team, Stepping Onward has assembled a team of twelve runners, three course volunteers and two drivers to run from Tarpon Springs to Daytona Beach over a 24 hour period beginning on Friday November 20th.
This test of endurance and spirit is part of the Ragnar Relay Florida race. Ragnar is the nation’s largest series of relay races with events based in Utah, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Washington State, Arizona and Florida. The Stepping Onward team will include three runners from the Orlando Union Rescue Mission who are part of the Stepping Onward Program.
On October 24th, I got to witness firsthand the difference that the members of Stepping Onward are making in the lives of the individuals they work with. Stepping Onward organized a team of men and women runners from the Coalition to run in Dick Bachelor’s 5K Run For The Children. For many it was their first 5K race. I don’t know if I can ever describe the look of excitement and accomplishment on each of the runner’s faces as they completed the race. The excitement spilled over to other homeless individuals who were not competing, but standing alongside the road to cheer on their friend’s accomplishments.
For a moment, these individuals didn’t have to focus on the challenges of their lives, but instead the physical challenges of the race. You could see a renewed light in their eyes as they each walked up to the time board to see how and where they finished. While one of the runners, who will be participating in the Ragnar race finished in 19 minutes, all of the participants were excited about their times and are eager to compete in their next 5K race.
November is National Homeless Awareness Month, and I have realized that sometimes it takes more than just offering someone their basic needs, it takes offering someone hope and opportunity. If we can give them the chance to believe in themselves, then we can help make a change in their lives.
Stepping Onward is hoping to raise $10,000 with the upcoming 201.3 mile run, but more importantly we hope to open people’s eyes to the challenges & controversy surrounding homelessness and the opportunities to make a difference.
Patrick O’Brien
For More Information:
www.steppingonward.com
Facebook
Twitter
To Donate:
Donation Page
For More Information on Ragnar:
http://www.ragnarrelay.com/
For More Information on Feet Fleet Sports Orlando:
http://fleetfeetorlando.com/
November is National Homeless Awareness month, and as the economy continues to pose new challenges, homelessness has become a growing problem not only in Central Florida, but across the country. Recently we told you about Stepping Onward, a new local non-profit that was taking a different approach to the challenges of homelessness. They have created an organization that helps get individuals back on their feet through running and mentoring.
They currently work with Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida, The Orlando Union Rescue Mission and the Recovery House in Sanford. In addition, they have also formed a running group with teenagers who are involved in the Seminole Country Foster Care program through Community-Based Care (CBC) of Seminole.
I am proud to say that I will be part of Stepping Onward’s most ambitious project to date, a 201.3 mile run across the state of Florida to raise money and awareness for homelessness. With a generous sponsorship from Feet Fleet Sports Orlando and the Ragnar Team, Stepping Onward has assembled a team of twelve runners, three course volunteers and two drivers to run from Tarpon Springs to Daytona Beach over a 24 hour period beginning on Friday November 20th.
This test of endurance and spirit is part of the Ragnar Relay Florida race. Ragnar is the nation’s largest series of relay races with events based in Utah, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Washington State, Arizona and Florida. The Stepping Onward team will include three runners from the Orlando Union Rescue Mission who are part of the Stepping Onward Program.
On October 24th, I got to witness firsthand the difference that the members of Stepping Onward are making in the lives of the individuals they work with. Stepping Onward organized a team of men and women runners from the Coalition to run in Dick Bachelor’s 5K Run For The Children. For many it was their first 5K race. I don’t know if I can ever describe the look of excitement and accomplishment on each of the runner’s faces as they completed the race. The excitement spilled over to other homeless individuals who were not competing, but standing alongside the road to cheer on their friend’s accomplishments.
For a moment, these individuals didn’t have to focus on the challenges of their lives, but instead the physical challenges of the race. You could see a renewed light in their eyes as they each walked up to the time board to see how and where they finished. While one of the runners, who will be participating in the Ragnar race finished in 19 minutes, all of the participants were excited about their times and are eager to compete in their next 5K race.
November is National Homeless Awareness Month, and I have realized that sometimes it takes more than just offering someone their basic needs, it takes offering someone hope and opportunity. If we can give them the chance to believe in themselves, then we can help make a change in their lives.
Stepping Onward is hoping to raise $10,000 with the upcoming 201.3 mile run, but more importantly we hope to open people’s eyes to the challenges & controversy surrounding homelessness and the opportunities to make a difference.
Patrick O’Brien
For More Information:
www.steppingonward.com
To Donate:
Donation Page
For More Information on Ragnar:
http://www.ragnarrelay.com/
For More Information on Feet Fleet Sports Orlando:
http://fleetfeetorlando.com/
Tags: Central, Feet, Fleet, Florida, Homelessness, Onward, Orlando, Ragnar, Relay, Stepping
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