Alex Cherin, Joshua Lowenthal, Matt Knabe, Michael Chun, Nate Olsen, Phil Mazzocco, Jim Bunnell, Shawn Oatey, Mike Wells, and Dan D’sa will be putting on their best pair of walking shoes as they set off on a long distance journey to raise money on behalf of Children Today. Each man will tackle a 20-mile stretch of a 200 mile trek starting on May 20 in an area just north of Santa Barbara, and finishing at the start line of Children Today’s Run/Walk, an annual 5k/10k fundraiser taking place on Saturday, May 25, 2013 at Marina Green Park in Long Beach.
Their ambitious goal is to raise $25,000 for the non-profit organization, which serves children and families facing homelessness, by Memorial Day.
These men are no doubt familiar to many in Long Beach. They all have a long and distinguished history of civic involvement, each contributing their time, talents, and resources to issues about which they are passionate. They are all friends too and share an abiding commitment to make life better for some of the most vulnerable people in Long Beach.
“We are so blessed that these men have found a common cause in Children Today,” said the agency’s Executive Director Dora Jacildo. “They have always been generous in their support of this organization, but this 200-mile walk raises their efforts to a new level. To do something this challenging…we are inspired by them.”
Inspiration is key. Alex Cherin, Children Today’s Board President and the originator of the 200-mile plan, says his goal is not just to raise money for the organization, but to motivate others to get involved. “Everyone can contribute,” he asserts. “The great thing about the Run/Walk and the 10 Guys and 200 Miles event that ties into it is that there are a lot of different ways to get involved. People can donate to our fundraiser, they can sign up for the Run/Walk itself, and they can even set up their own fundraising page and get their friends and family to donate for them.”
During the 200-mile walk, website updates and Facebook posts will track the walkers’ progress and the success of their fundraising efforts. Their tough journey will no doubt be made easier knowing that they’ll have the Long Beach community behind them.
To learn more about Children Today’s Run/Walk and the “10 Guys and 200 Miles” event, and how to get involved, visit www.runchildrentoday.com. For more up to the minute information, follow Children Today on Facebook at www.facebook.com/childrentodaylb.