Dear RMN community. I am a runner. I'm not a good runner, but I love it. Last week, I ran my first competitive 5K in nearly 17 years, and also signed up for my first Half-Marathon.
On June 2, 2012, I will be running in the 39th Kansas City Hospital Hill Half-Marathon. It's a very difficult race, and I'm very focused on training so I'm not embarrassed by being unable to finish, or possibly dying on mile 10. But, aside from the pride that will come from successfully completing my first Half-Marathon, this race gives me the chance to do something good for the community.
There are a large number of charity sponsors with this race, and I am going to team up with Infant Toddler Services of Johnson County, in an attmept to help them raise funds to help my community. ITSJC is a not-for-profit organization that provides developmental evaluations and therapy for children (up to age 3) who are developing slowly or have a developmental disability. This includes, but is not limited to, speech therapy, downs syndrom, nutritional monitoring, physical therapy and vision therapy. Services that they fun are playgroups, funding assistive technology (hearing aids, wheelchairs, etc.) and even (sadly) costs to help defray funeral expenses if a child in the program passes away.
Yes, we all love to hate Kansas, and this organization supports Johnson County, Kansas, but this community has proven time and time again that there are many things more important than the rivalry. All joking aside, I know that we would all do whatever we are capable of doing to help a child from even the most diehard Jayhawk family. Besides, for me, and for many Tigers, it's home.

That being said....

Please join me in the fundraising effort for this organization. Together, we can help families with young children who have developmental disabilities get the care they need to help reach their potential. No child should be denied necessary therapy, and we can help. Thank you for whatever help you decide to give. If you choose to donate over $500, I will wear a shirt on race-day with any (family-friendly) message or logo you provide. E-mail me at petrowskya(at)gmail(DOT)com if you would like to do this. My fundraising goal is $500, but I would love to go well past that. I thank you for your time and if you are capable of helping, I am very grateful for your generosity. Click HERE to help.