I've been asked over and over, "Why Flying Kites?" It's tough, we're all faced with GoodCauses day after day and it's so hard to say no to any of them. As soon as you think you've found the one that sings to you, you hear about another one. I've struggled and pondered this question for about 10 years and all I can tell you is... when you know, you know!! Until you know, it's the same as dating or interviewing, you've got to try out different charities to see if they're a good fit for you. For years my passion and what I've loved more than anything in the world is traveling. According to the very cool website, Where I've Been I've visited 10% of the world, and I want to see the other 90%. I've found the only thing more invigorating than visiting a new place is taking someone else to see these amazing places. Originally, that's what attracted me to Flying Kites. They have this amazing fundraising program where you raise money for the kids and then you pick a challenge like Climbing Kilimanjaro, Everest Base Camp, Surfing in Nicaragua. I thought it was cool that the money went to kids at an orphanage BUT what I originally was attracted to was the opportunity to expose young people, friends and family to these wonderful adventures. Taking trips like these are life changing. My first trip out of the country was jarring, but in the best possible way. I traveled to India with a group of friends from St. Andrews, and this trip helped me start setting my life priorities. It made me question who I really was and who I wanted to be. I saw things in a completely different way, I realized that the world was much bigger than my little life in Alpharetta, Georgia. I wanted to help FK Adventure Challenges because I wanted to offer this gift to others.
The thing is... (my nephew Hudson always says, "The thing is Aunt Amy...") I came to Flying Kites for the trips. Funding the lives of orphans was a great bonus, don't get me wrong I was always excited about helping the kids but little did I know the kids and people at Flying Kites were about to change my life forever.
It all started with meeting the founders (August 2010). Two twenty somethings (Leila and Justine) and Toby (my age) decided to turn their passion into their career regardless if that meant working 3 jobs, living in a house with 8 people and giving up many of the things that most 20 year olds take for granted. The encounter was inspiring. I started thinking and it reminded me of what I had listed as my priorities in life when I traveled to India.
And then... I met the kids at the orphanage in Kenya (December 2010). Their spirit is contagious, their appreciation is overwhelming and most of all their kind forgiving souls are a reminder of what trust and support can do to change a child or a person's life. The different ways in which Flying Kites has changed me in less than a year is something that I look forward to sharing through this blog. I can't let the cat out of the bag quite yet, but big things are coming. Stay tuned.
Keep searching, never give up on finding your cause. If you enter into things with an open heart and an open mind I truly believe your cause will find you, you just have to be willing to listen.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Thursday, March 3, 2011
The 2011 Line-up
In January I had the life changing experience of connecting with the kids at the Flying Kites Orphanage-Kenya . Over the last 6 years I've run marathons and raised $50,000+ for charities such as Leukemia and Lymphoma Foundation, Brown Dog Foundation and Michael Carter Lislow Respite Center. Each experience was AMAZING. Not only have I made life long friends, I knew the money I raised was always going to a GoodCause. There was just one thing missing, I had never made a true connection with the "end user" of my fundraising dollars. When I traveled to Kenya in January, got out of the van at the orphanage, and was greeted with a huge hug from Lucy Obama I knew I had found my charitable work. I was seeking adventure, but I found my purpose. WE ARE FLYING KITES!!!
This year my plan is to raise awareness for Flying Kites by completing one crazy adventure after the next, roping friends and family members in along the way. Here's the 2011 Line-up...
January- Mt. Kilimanjaro
February- TRAIN!!!! Marathon Fitness
March- Oak Mountain 50k+ Birmingham, AL
April- Big Sur Marathon
May- Bear Mountain Trail Marathon (yes, the weekend after Big Sur)
June- Bike to Bonaroo- stay tuned for details, this is going to be my fundraiser for the year!!!
July- Bike the Natchez Trace in 2 days (last year we did it in 6)
August- Surf for the Cause- Nicaragua
September- TRAIN!!! Marathon Fitness
October- This is the mystery month, there are a few options but a decision hasn't been made
November- Aconcagua
December- CELEBRATE!!!!!
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