Friends,

By reading this text, you've already become an important part of my journey to reach the finish line at the 2012 NYC Marathon.

As I take steps to run 26.2 miles this year through the concrete jungle of New York City, I also want to take concrete steps to support an organization I hold dearly from my undergraduate experience at the University of Virginia: Madison House, a student run non-profit which coordinates student volunteers, develops student leaders, builds community partnerships, and promotes lifelong volunteer service. In striving to live out this service, I am running the 2012 NYC Marathon to fundraise for Madison House.

With four years and 300+ hours of service through the organization, I want to give back to the student and greater Charlottesville community from which I learned and grew so much. Whether under the hat of Program Director or volunteer, tutor or student, big brother or friend - every week with Madison House presented a new and rewarding opportunity.

I spent three amazing years with the programs Migrant and Latino Aid and Big Siblings, respectively, tutoring a Mexican man named Olegario in English every week through the former and meeting weekly with my now 14 year-old little sibling, Duquan, through the latter. 

Given the immense impact that Madison House has had on me as a person, and the impact that I know it has and will continue to have on the Charlottesville and student community alike, I would like to request your support during these months of training by providing a donation in the amount you see fit to this great organization. Recommended donations are $26.20 (a dollar for every mile!) - to reach the fundraising goal of $2010 (in honor of our graduating class!).

I want to express my most sincere thanks for your support of my running and fundraising. For further information on Madison House or the race, please don't hesitate to contact me or visit www.madisonhouse.org. Look forward to seeing you in the Big Apple!

Un abrazo,
Geoff

P.s. I would also like to note that I’ll proudly be 'running on plants’ for the race (training as a no meat athlete!) in support of sustainable environmental practices. For more information on my training program, please check out the following link.