Another team in our corner

Got the chance to talk to Steve Cathcart, owner of Fort Collins Runners Roost store today and he is on board as a shoe drop off point as well as idea man for getting the ball rolling along locally with the running community here in FC. I can not begin to tell you the excitement I feel everytime we get positive feedback on what we are proposing for the kids in the area. Trying to set up a meeting with the marketing director of Poudre Valley Health System to see if we can have a running shoe drive at the 2 hospitals. Runners and healthcare workers seem to always be the most generous givers to folks in need. What I need now folks is for all of you to give what you can to help us make these dreams realities for kids. For some of you it may seem odd to donate to a charity in Colorado that may be thousands of miles away. But than again look at the kids within your towns, cities and realize that if we can change it in Colorado, than we will be able to change it in your area one day as well. Even the United Way started somewhere gang. RFYL needs your help and your donations to make a difference. Give what you can. That's all I will ever ask of each of you. Pauly

Meeting

Had the wonderful opportunity to speak with Laurie Zenner of the PVHS Healthy Kids Club. She was very enthusiastic about our program and I believe it will be a great partnership. Their newsletter reaches 20,000 + homes per month! Talk about some great exposure for the organization. Also the ability to be at Healthy Kids Club events and get kids registered for the program will be a great way to touch some young lives. Laurie also has tremendous contacts out in the Northern Colorado schools and with some of the running shops in town. She is going to be a great resource toward making 2010 a great 1st year.

Run wild like a child! Stay safe over the holidays and if you can please donate a few dollars via our website

http://www.runforyourlifecolorado.org/

Desperately Seeking.......

So I am about 3 0f 30+ pages into the IRS form for tax exempt status. I don't feel overwhelmed so much as just worried that my application will need additional information in order to get processed. I know that our cause is important and that anything worth doing needs to have some work and effort put in . I think my biggest concern is the need to have someone with experience look it over for any glaring omissions, prior to sending it in. The fact that the filing fee is going up in 2010 from $300 to $400 makes me rushed to get it in and save some money. I asked Gallegos in town if we might be able to get some of their old recyling bins to refurbish so that we can at least begin collecting shoes for the kids. Let's hope. Remember every child deserves the chance to run for their life.

The Latest

So, we ended up getting turned down again by the PVHS Foundation. :(
I think the reason is their focus of health promotion is a little bit more broadly based than what our program entails. That's okay. We just keep moving forward with the plan.
On a good note Laurie Zenner who runs Healthy Kids Club for the foundation is interested in us attending events and collecting shoes for redistribution. If anyone knows a tax attorney or an accountant out there that would like to do some pro bono work helping us file for a 501 c tax exemption please let me know. Stay well and run for your life!

Paul

Stumbling and Bumbling

So , I sit down last night and have Nikki reread my e-mail to one of the foundation directors I had contacted this past week. In reading my e-mail Nik mentioned that my focus wasn't as clear about Run For Your Life's banner program (shoe donation) as I could have been!! Well nothing like going back with head bowed and asking for another shot at some start up funding. I am still going to rely on all of you, my friends and family to get the word out and help us with your time, talents. If you're a runner, walker, please think about joining our team and running for our cause. Run for your life!

To blog or not to blog......

Well, here we go! One week in and the charity has been incorporated and registered with the State of Colorado! I contacted a few foundations in an effort to help with start up costs but funding for new charities seems to be non exsistent at least in this neck of the woods. Grassroots fundraising seems to fit our identity a little better anyhow! Just another hurdle to clear as we get up and running.