Labor Day weekend and it's really hot, and the forest fires still burn and I'm not feeling great. I have a heat rash on my arms from working out/sweating in the heat, a sore throat which may or may not be due to the fires. And a headache. And cramps. Jeez, just decided to stay inside today and read the Sunday papers. But I did get out my credit card and made a donation to a good cause which was a NICE thing to do.
A friend is participating in the Avon 3-day Breast Cancer Walk so I sent her a contribution. Sending money to support an organization always makes me feel great and I wish I could donate more.
I know how hard it is to raise funds. I've participated in many charity events (including the Avon 3-day) and it was really hard for me to ask for contributions. Even though I know the money I collect is for a good cause and not "for me", I still don't like to ask (and especially in the current economy). I guess it's because I think I'm imposing on people and sometimes contributions are given just because the person knows me or would feel guilty if they didn't. (I know this because I have had those feelings several times myself when asked for a contribution).
I like to do fundraising events in connection with a milestone birthday. I started this when I was 25 and raised money for MS on a 2-day Bike-a-Thon. And I did that same MS ride for my 30th. For my 35th birthday, I participated in the Lung Association's 2-day Bike-a-Thon and raised money for anti-smoking education, and then for my 40th, I kicked it up a notch and walked in the Avon Breast Cancer 3-day Walk for the Cure (75 miles from Santa Barbara to Santa Monica California). On my 45th and 50th I raised money for SPCA/Humane Society to help homeless animals.
The Avon 3-day walk was really tough. Not only to raise the minimum funds to participate (2 nights of camping, food, and organization of the event had to be completely covered so there would be a big chunk of money for the cause); but the walk itself was VERY hard. Twenty-five miles a day for 3 days. I "trained" by walking about 3 miles a day (maybe a 5-mile on weekends). I thought I was young and healthy enough not to need more than that (NOT!..longer training walks are really recommended).
The walk was grueling and I kept hydrated and had my feet and toes covered in the correct socks and anti-blister ointments and though I finished the walk, I got a bad blister which eventually got infected and landed me in the ER a few days later. Yikes.
Overall, it was a very good experience and I enjoyed doing it; however, I don't think I'd do it again. The next few years I "just" sent a check, because donating money is always NICE.
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