Here’s what I'm doing:

Thank you for coming by our Tusk USA NYC Marathon website.  I am running the NYC marathon on behalf of Tusk to help protect communities and wildlife in Africa. I have been fortunate enough to race with Tusk in Kenya, seeing the places being protected by the money we raise.  This time, I will be closer to home, running with thousands more people. Less exotic, no less exciting!

Why it matters:

We all welcome an opportunity to give back and make a difference in the lives of others. What's special about Tusk is their dedication to helping local communities manage their wildlife sustainably, using ecotourism and livestock management.  Instead of going in and telling a village what to do better, they grant money to villages that are proactive in building ecolodges, safe local water supplies, and schools.  And what they do works:  Tusk has projects in 17 countries in Africa, protecting species as different as sea turtles and giant sable antelope.  Many of the projects they fund become self-sustaining and are managed by local residents.  You may have heard about the increase in rhino and elephant poaching in Africa; Tusk is at the forefront of the battle to stop it, and I'm proud to become part of that fight.  You can check them out going to www.tusk.org.

Before you go...

I would appreciate your support for me, and more importantly Tusk, with a donation.  I have committed to raising $5,000 for Tusk. We know where that money will go, and the good it will do on the ground in Africa (please see some of the pictures to get a sense of the type of projects being supported).  If you're stumped on an amount that's appropriate, here are some suggestions:

$76 sends one child to a four-day educational camp to learn about conservation
$200 funds fuel for a health clinic ambulance
$350 supports two beach clean up days by school children
$500 support to a community tree nursery

But please note, no amount is too small! 

To donate, simply click on the "DONATE" button on the right, follow the simple instructions, and look for your thank you note soon!  If you prefer to send a check, please make it out to "TUSK USA", write "Devan Marshall--Marathon" in the memo line, and send it off to:  Tusk USA, 40 East 94thSt. New York, NY 10128

Thank you for making a difference.
Devan