Lee Hoedl's 2009 Boston Marathon Miles for Miracles

October 10 Update: Lee is 761 Miles Down the Road Toward Boston

www.hoedlshaven.com/2009BOSTONMARATHON

Friend:

I sent you a detailed email last week, which I appreciate that you were able to read it. But just in case your email account "spammed" last week's message into your bulk folder or you didn't have time to read it, here is a quick synopsis:

I have been invited to run the 113th Boston Marathon, on April 20, 2009.
And I have the pleasure of running as part of the Children's Hospital Boston's marathon team.
As well, I am inviting you to come with me (at least, virtually) to Boston, by sponsoring me in at least a small way.
I will be totalling all of my training runs until April 20, 2009, so as to match the total miles between Fargo, ND and Boston, MA: 1628 miles.
And did I mention that I would love to have you help me in even a very small financial way?
If you missed my initial email, you can read it at: October 3, 2008 Update

As of Monday, October 6, I have raised $725 for the Children's Hospital Boston and have set a personal goal of $5000 for this cause. Would you be able to help me? Below you will find specific information on how to process online donations, as well as checks and money orders. But first, let me give you just a few suggestions in this update:

Put Down That Cup of Coffee/Step Away From That Soda - Most persons purchase at least one cup of coffee or soda/pop each week. Consider taking the funds from just one can of soda or one coffee each week (from now until April 2009) and donating it toward this wonderful cause. Just put a coffee cup on your kitchen counter and remember to put the money in that cup each week. You'll be amazed at how it can add up.
Switch One Less Healthy Thing for One More Healthy Thing - Find something in your weekly schedule that is somewhat unhealthy that you spend money on - it may be junk food, fast food, snacks, etc. And when you've identified it, switch it with one thing that is healthier (i.e. trading a bag of chips for some carrot sticks). Just do at least one switch each week, calculate the difference in cost and donate those pennies or quarters toward this cause. I'm not only trying to raise money for Children's Hospital Boston - we're all in this together to lead healthier lifestyles.
Loose Change Can Bring Real Change - Take the time to put your daily loose change in bowl when you come home at the end of the day. After a month has gone by, take the time to add up that loose change and donate it - a little loose change from a lot of people can bring about some real change.

Now, on to the processes by which you can donate any funds you are able to share:

ONLINE DONATIONS

First, regardless of how you donate (online, check or cash), your donation is tax deductible. There is no amount too small (or too large) to donate to Children's Hospital and your donation will help ensure that Children's Hospital will always be ready and able to care for kids who have nowhere else to turn.

If you would like to use the convenience of online donation, go directly to my personal fundraising homepage within the Miles for Miracles Team Boston website. It is a very simple process, it will accept any amount and will send you an electronic confirmation of your donation (via email).

Children's Hospital Boston is on almost all corporate lists for matching funds, so be sure to check to see if your company does a charitable contribution matching program. Be sure to note somewhere in your electronic or hard copy paperwork, "In support of Lee Hoedl, Miles for Miracles Team Boston (HL0057)." This will ensure that the matching funds are connected to my fundraising efforts.

CHECK/MONEY ORDER

I realize how many fundraisers arrive at your front door and email account, so please know that no amount is too small to donate. I am appreciative of every cent and every dollar.

In order to donate via check or money order:

First, be sure to make out your check or money order to Children's Hospital Boston.
Then please send your donation to my mailing address: Lee Hoedl, 6155 16th Street South, Fargo, ND 58104. This process is done so that Children's Hospital Boston can match the donation with the runner raising the funds.
I will be tracking and recording all incoming donations on a tracking form and then mailing all checks/money orders - along with the tracking forms - to Children's Hospital Boston, on a regular basis.
Children's Hospital Boston will, in turn, process the donations and send out a personal letter to you - thanking you and confirming your personal donation.

That's it - it's that simple. Donate online. Donate via check/money order. Either way, it will be recorded and it is tax deductible.

What will you receive in return for your donation?

You will receive a front-row seat to the 2009 Boston Marathon as I bring out the LEECAM once again to record just such a race. What is the LEECAM? Check out the LEECAM's work at the 2008 Disneyworld Marathon and the 2008 Disneyland Half-Marathon.
You will also be personally recognized in an upcoming YouTube video for your contribution (not the amount, just the name).
You will receive my deepest gratitude and I will dedicate one mile or more of my 1628 miles to you and your family.

Following Lee's training runs over the weekend of Oct. 4-5, Lee has completed 761 miles of the total 1628 miles from Fargo, ND to Boston, MA. With 47% of his miles completed, that leaves only 835 miles to complete before April 20, 2009.

Looking at the virtual map, Lee is presently just east of the city of Elkhart, Indiana - a quaint community in the northeastern corner of Indiana. Just a few more miles and Lee will be in Ohio. To follow Lee's progress, visit: WHERE'S LEE - VIRTUAL MAP.

At my personal Boston Marathon website (coinciding with the Miles for Miracles Team Boston website), in addition to tracking my virtual miles, I am updating information pertaining to:

the dedication and prayer during each mile (or set of miles) of the 1628 total miles for a particular person(s). You can see to whom the miles of have been dedicated. And if you would like me to offer a friend or family member up in prayer during my training runs, please just send me an email at leehoedl@yahoo.com.
sharing personal thoughts and reflections between now and through the 2009 Boston Marathon. I will try to use this space to motivate you in your goals and dreams - as we are all in this journey together.
the acknowledgement of those who have sponsored and supported me throughout this journey. Without you, I couldn't possibly accomplish what I am attempting; in advance, thank you for your support.
providing direct links so that you and others can donate to this wonderful cause. And if you have any present desire to donate, you can do so online right now by going directly to: http://howtohelp.childrenshospital.org/bostonmarathon09/pfp/?ID=HL0057

WHAT ELSE CAN I DO?

Far be it from me to simply request funds for Children's Hospital Boston. Here's another suggestion that can help with your closet organizing and assist another child/adult across the region, nation or world:

It is estimated that 1 out of every 100 pairs of running shoes are recycled. So consider donating your used running shoes. Do you have an older pair that just don't seem to support your jogging/running/walking efforts? Then consider looking for local or regional opportunities to donate your running shoes. A good place to start is RECYCLEDRUNNERS.COM, SHOE4AFRICA, and SOLES4SOULS. They are wonderful programs that will reuse shoes that we tend to just throw away. Fall is a good time to go through the closets and recycle all those running/walking shoes that haven't seen much action.

In advance, I want to thank you for any support (money, prayer, encouragement) that you have given or will give toward my efforts. Please feel free to share this information with family and friends. If 1000 persons each gave only one single dollar, that would be quite a large donation to such a worthy cause - and always remember that no donation is too small.

As well, your prayers and positive vibes are also welcomed. Thanks so much for your support and your friendship.

Peace, Lee

ANY AND ALL DONATIONS ARE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE.

ALL DONATED FUNDS (CASH, CHECK OR ONLINE) GO DIRECTLY TO CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL BOSTON.

EVERY PENNY IS HELPING TO SAVE AND ADVANCE THE LIVES OF OUR YOUTH.

Lee Hoedl's 2009 Boston Marathon Miles for Miracles