First of all, THANK YOU for visiting my fundraising page - and for even considering a donation to Cradles to Crayons on my behalf. 

I'm very fortunate to be running as a member of the Cradles to Crayons marathon team, and am responsible for raising a minimum of $5000 for this great cause.

Completing the Boston Marathon (hopefully with a smile on my face) and reaching the fundraising goal are both daunting challenges, but ones that I am confident that I can reach with your help. 

There are a number of reasons that I am doing this....here are three simple ones.  If you can relate to any of them, please consider donating to my effort.  If you can't relate to any of them, please consider donating to my effort just because you like me :) 

1. A sign told me to do this.  When I ran the Chicago Marathon this past October, I saw a sign that read "One day you will not be able to do this...today is not that day." Training for a marathon in the winter, particularly for Boston, is daunting, but I do know that there will be a day when I cannot do this...but it's not today and it's not this year.  There is no better time for me to do this than now.  I have the passion for it, I have the support from my family & friends, and I may not always have the time OR be physically able to do this, but right now I can.

2. It's a lesson for my daughters.  As a parent, I spend a lot of time wondering whether I am doing a good job with my kids, whether I am actually teaching my girls how to be generous and thoughtful, and whether there is more that I can do to be a better mom.  (It's exhausting! :)) Deep down, I know I am a good mom, but participating in the Boston Marathon as a member of the C2C team provides me with the the opportunity to show my daughters that one can connect his/her passion for something personal with something that benefits the greater good.  I'm looking forward to seeing them along the course, cheering me on and hopefully feeling proud of their mom for not only running the race, but doing it for such a great cause.

3.  Most importantly, this will make a difference. 
Cradles to Crayons is an amazing organization, committed to providing every child in need with the essentials to feel safe, warm, ready to learn, and valued. They collect gently used and new items (clothing, toys, books, school supplies, and more) at their AMAZING facility in Brighton, and with the help of volunteers, they put together bags of essential items that are then distributed to children in need throughout Massachusetts.  $25 provides a winter coat to a child who doesn't have one, $5 provides a hat...Caroline & I had a chance to volunteer at C2C not too long ago and we can't wait to go back.  It is an organization that provides a vital service to the greater community and does it in an efficient, caring, and truly meaningful way.  For more information, I encourage you to visit www.cradlestocrayons.org.

Thank you for considering making a donation to C2C on my behalf.  I'm not lying when I say that ANY amount is helpful and appreciated...it all helps children in need and pushes me closer to my $5000 goal.  Words cannot express how much I appreciate it.

~Meredith

A little bit more about C2C:

Founded in 2002, Cradles to Crayons (C2C) is an innovative non-profit committed to providing every child in need with the essentials to feel safe, warm, ready to learn, and valued. C2C’s unique commitment to the “whole child” nurtures self-esteem and creativity by giving new or like-new clothing, books, school supplies, and other basic items to children throughout Massachusetts.

C2C is powered by thousands of volunteers who collect and donate goods, assemble “KidPacks,” and provide essential funding. Cradles to Crayons builds bridges between communities of plenty and communities of need. The packages prepared at the Cradles to Crayons warehouse, The Giving Factory, bring dignity and a better chance of success to children living in poverty while building a foundation for lasting change.

Learn more about Cradles to Crayons by watching our "Everyday Essentials" video.