Greetings, Everyone!

Here’s what we're doing:

Thank you for coming by our Tusk USA NYC Marathon website.  If you're here you probably already know that we've decided to do something more with our next marathon.  Two things will be different for what will be our 5th marathon.  First, it will be outside the familiar confines of the Jersey Shore where we've both run our first four.  And second, we'll be running for a worthy cause.

Some BlackRock colleagues have run in the Lewa Marathon in Africa, getting to see the places being protected by the money we raise.  We will be closer to home, running with thousands more people than we've ever run with in New York City.  Less exotic, no less exciting!

Why it matters:

We are very lucky - been blessed with a good life, a secure income, and a great education.  Those blessings give us the opportunity to give back, and make a difference in others’ lives. 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 we're proud to become part of that fight.  You can check them out using the links or going to www.tusk.org.

But before you go...

We'd appreciate your support for us, and Tusk, with a donation.  We've committed to raising $10,000 for Tusk, which seems like a lot.  But we know where that money will go, and the good it will do on the ground in Africa.  We know that with the support of our friends, family, and co-workers, we'll be well over that number before November!  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.  Every dollar is one closer to our goals!

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 "Keith & Andrea Sadlowski--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 for the wildlife in Africa. Don’t forget to forward this link to anyone you know who might be interested in wildlife or marathons!  Check in often for fundraising and training updates!