neighbor, maybor!

Remember Tuesday when we rejoiced&embraced May? Yaay! And with all those wonderful things it brings, it also means we are now officially in the triathalon neighbor month. Ah! My tri is right.next.door. We are touching it!

With your help, I've raised more than $2,000 (YAAY! and thank you!), with 101 people served. This makes my heart so happy. I like to think of the water going to lots of little babies and kids mainly. With just $461 to go, I'm feeling confident we'll hit the $2,500 mark. (!).

I am slightly less confident in my biking skills, but I'm going for a ride on my lunch today. Let's hope I'll be pleasantly surprised. I'll be sure to report back.

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The Water Project: by Mrs. Gentry

The support I've received for my triathlon has been completely overwhelming, to the point that I have had moments where I just want to cry with happiness.

Yesterday, I experienced this feeling when my dear, dear friend Megan informed me that her elementary class was doing an entrepreneur project, where they each start their own businesses, and will be donating their proceeds to my well. From hearing her talk about how they're worried about the kids who have to walk four hours to get water, to them asking if it would be OK if they donate all of their money (as opposed to the recommended 50 percent), my heart is overflowing. I had goosebumps when she told me about their excitement. 

I am so grateful to have her support, as well as all of yours. It's a lifelong fear of mine that I can't adequately express gratitude, and this campaign has me in overdrive, but I hope you all know how truly thankful I am. I am so excited about the upcoming weeks, and want to reiterate that I am truly, incredibly grateful for your continued support. 

I cannot wait to see all of the amazing projects Mrs. Gentry's class delivers and will be sure to keep you posted on their progress. Check out photos from the project below - they'll make your heart melt!

Thank you again!

two to go!

Rentry! Whoah! Back to life after a week of beach bliss (pictures tomorrow).

Reality hit this morning, not only in my email inbox (!), but also when I realized there are only two months until my triathalon. Eeep! Time to lock it down on training and fundraising.

So far, you've helped me raise enough money to provide 16 people with clean drinking water. I can't thank you enough. I've felt so supported both financially, and by people sharing the link. I once heard that the feeling you get when you're mentioned on Facebook and Twitter is equivalent to a warm, fuzzy. Quadruple that feeling - and that's how I've felt anytime someone has donated and/or shared my link. It makes me all buzzy and puts pep in my step.

Without being obnoxious, I'd like to ask that you continue to support me throughout the next two months. Again, if you can't provide financially, please feel free to pass on my link to those who can. Thank you again - I truly appreciate it!

My well: http://www.mycharitywater.org/p/campaign?campaign_id=25106

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one tri: one well

As someone who has a lot of obsessions (see here, here and here), I realize my words might lose their oomph when I get to raving.  

But, if you know me, you know that one of my greatest obsessions in life is water.

Good, clean, h2izzo.

I recently went on a date and he asked me if I'm one of those people that carries a water bottle around everywhere they go. To which I said: No. I am not one of those people; I am that person.

To say it's an obsession would be an understatement I'm not comfortable making.

That being said, one of my favorite charities, which I discovered through the one and only Courtney, is charity: water. When she was on the Mercy Ship, Scott Harrison, the founder, was there as well. After leaving the ship, he started the charity, and the rest is history.

This year, in an effort to combine three of my favorite things (water + courtney + working out), I've decided to dedicate my triathlon to building a well.

The cost of one well is $5,000, and I hope to take a good chunk out of that through fundraising. Feel free to check out my campaign. I'd would love your support, if you feel compelled to do so. 

If everyone that reads my blog on an average day gives $13, it'd be more than enough to cover the cost. However, I certainly realize that money is really tight right now, and $13 is a lot of money to a kid like me. So, if you want to provide support, I'd love for you to pass along the link to my well, so others who relate to my passion for the cause can share the love. The thought of giving clean water to kids who walk miles to find dirty water every day warms my heart, and I know it'll keep me going during the race.

Thank you in advance for your help! I truly, truly appreciate it.

PS: Looking to get inspired? Watch charity: water's fifth birthday video below. It'll make you want to tri, too!

images and video via charity: water