By now, you have probably heard about Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution; a show on ABC that profiles one man’s efforts to curb childhood obesity in America’s fattest city.  Behind a little added drama and a slight overuse of pensive cuts, the problem here is very real.  While children eating pizza for breakfast and failing to identify a potato makes for interesting television, the stark reality is that they are a generation headed for a fat-laden epidemic.  If trends continue, these kids are projected to live shorter lives than their parents.

Thankfully, the dire straights depicted on Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution have already been addressed in many areas.  Through a generous Grant from the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation and support from local champions, change is already being affected across the country.  Locally, in Birmingham, the Healthy Kids Healthy Communities initiative is carrying out this message.  Here are the main areas of focus.

Education

As with every attempt to change, the key element is, of course, knowledge.  This involves everything from the basics of healthy eating to the proper way to exercise and grow a garden.  A basic understanding of how our bodies work provides a foundation for everything else.  After all, what good is the “how?” if there is no “why?”

Healthy Options

For years, the debate has raged on in schools regarding what options kids should be presented with in the cafeteria.  I personally had a mountain of fried foods as well as pizza at my disposal, and chose poorly pretty much every day of high school.  With all due respect to teenagers and adolescents – they are not the best decision makers.  Choices are great, but it is time that the fryer and manufactured foods be taken off the serving line.  There are ways to make fresh, delicious, as well as cost-effective meals.  The key is getting parents and local officials to get on board with the idea.  That is why the Healthy Kids Healthy Communities initiative has set out to support such a concept.  Local restaurants have even joined the effort to show what this meal can look like.

Healthy Activities

As we all know, diet is 80% of the healthy equation, but the remaining 20% cannot be ignored. As a society, we have been shying away more and more from physical activity.  PE classes are falling by the wayside.  Healthy Kids Healthy Communities seeks to get children moving again, with in school and after school programs.  Additionally, city layouts are being reevaluated to promote alternative modes of transportation.  Bike paths and pedestrian-friendly areas aim to invite families to explore healthy lifestyles.

So what can you do?

Sign the Petition

Show your support for Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution by signing the petition to make local and national changes in governmental regulations.  Those of you who have seen the show are well aware of the stumbling blocks to creating a balanced meal in schools.

Active-ate Your Family

Be a positive influence for those around you, especially children.  The biggest way to do this: quit being lazy.  Quick meals and fast food are easy.  Driving everywhere is easy.  Take the road less travelled.  Set aside time to make fresh, healthy meals.  Get out and walk every now and then!

DoGood!

Matt

Feel free to email me: matt@DoGoodedness.com with questions, suggestions, or if you are interested in writing a guest post!

When you survey the vast arena of nonprofits, there are a few whose international notoriety stands head and shoulders above the rest.  To my knowledge, none have risen to such a pedestal quicker than the Lance Armstrong Foundation.  Their LIVESTRONG campaign has become synonymous with cancer advocacy, support, and healthy living, making them veritable trendsetters for nonprofit and for-profit groups alike.  What I want to look at today is why the LAF has been so successful.  By studying their route to prominence, maybe we can find ways to grow our own organizations.

As the name obviously implies, LAF was founded by Lance Armstrong, cycling champion and cancer survivor, in 1997.  Dissatisfied with the approach of other organizations, Lance was determined to raise the volume on Cancer advocacy.  The motto of his organization became “unity is strength, knowledge is power and attitude is everything.”  I think that sums up their goal quite appropriately.

Here is a look at what they have done exceptionally well:

Products

Through an advantageous partnership with sports giant Nike, LAF began selling yellow LIVESTRONG wristbands in 2004.  The simple idea was twofold – to bring cancer to the forefront of the conversation and to raise money for research.  Six years later, over 70 million of these have been purchased around the globe, inviting a host of imitators to experiment with the same concept.  Furthering the partnership with Nike and Lance himself, the LIVESTONG brand is now appearing on a wide variety of athletic gear.  This brings up the question:  Do people want to brand themselves with your nonprofit?  Will they wear it on their sleeves and proudly advertise your cause?

Social Media

Let’s face it: you probably do not have a leader with the celebrity power of Armstrong.  You can try to go out and win seven Tour de France titles, but your time might be better spent elsewhere.  What you can do, however, is get plugged in to the social media scene.  This goes beyond simply having a website, a Facebook page, and an email list.  Anyone can do that.  Your challenge is to continually build support through a loyal following.  How do you do this?  First, it is important to invite others into the conversation.

The beauty of sites like Twitter and Facebook is that they allow you to not only talk, but listen to those around you.  Ask for feedback and it shall come.  When people feel like their input matters, then they will become part of your cause.  Lance has mastered this by staying directly connected to his followers.

Events

Another area where I think the LAF team excels is with their events.  They not only encourage, but also support grassroots fundraisers with a well-oiled program.  This allows individuals and volunteers to make the most out of an event.

Taking a page from The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training, LAF has established a core group of athletes that train, participate, and raise money in the name of fighting cancer.  Team LIVESTRONG has set an admirable goal of growing to 21,000 members in 2010.  As a runner and cyclist myself, I can tell you that having this kind of a support group really adds meaning as well as motivation for hitting the pavement.

Political Involvement

With nonprofits being so heavily vested in government policies, grants, and initiatives, it helps to have a face on Capitol Hill and in state legislatures.  This is where a person like Lance Armstrong is so invaluable.  He has been a prominent voice for Cancer Survivors and their concerns.  Representatives, Senators, and even the President have no choice but to hear the voices that result from LAF’s National Action Plan.  How can you make sure your voice is heard by policymakers?

Sense of Community

If you have read Lance’s account of his battle with cancer, you are aware of how much he emphasis a community of support – namely from other survivors.  Through hearing such testimonies, one can conjure up hope for their own struggle.  This is the concept behind LAF’s Survivorship support.  Through events, newsletters, and constant contact, Cancer patients are reminded that they are not alone.

Do you have success stories?  Keep them around to remind everyone of what they are capable of.

How else can you improve your organization or nonprofit?  I would love to hear how you are being a trendsetter for the community and world.

DoGood!

Matt

Please feel free to contact me with any questions, suggestions, or thoughts on how to make this site better: matt@dogoodedness.com

This post is a continuation of the previous article on How to Organize a Successful Road Race.

Sponsors

Once you have all the primary decisions made, it is time to find some sponsors.  These are not an absolute must, but can significantly boost fundraising efforts.  You need to draft an official sponsorship letter explaining the event, what it is raising money for, and what promotional consideration sponsors will receive for their donation.  Here is an example of a top notch sponsor letter.

The sponsorship levels will vary based on the size of your race.  If this is the inaugural event, then be sure to keep your ask as reasonable as possible.  Once you have proof of success, then you can request more.

I highly recommend formulating an attack plan for approaching potential sponsors.  Mass mailings, email, and impersonal distribution have a very low rate of return.  Go through your contacts and see who you know that could get face to face meetings with the check-writers at their respective companies.  Do not forget, you have a partner in all of this.  The non-profit you are benefiting should have some good suggestions on who to ask.

Your best bet is to target smaller, local businesses that have a vested interest in the community.  Larger corporations receive thousands of requests per year, and require a lot of paperwork if you actually hear back.

In terms of the overall time line, you can except sponsorship money up until (or after) the race, but in order to get their logo on race materials, the deal needs to be firmed up at least a few weeks out from the event.

Registration

Before beginning recruiting and promotional efforts, it is a good idea to already have a way for participants to sign up.  From my experience, there are two good ways to do this.  First of all, there is a delightful website known as Active.com.  For the technologically savvy, this is the easiest way to sign up.  To set it up, simply create an account, and Active will walk you through the steps to creating a page for your race.  You can check up to the minute registration stats, produce forms with participant info, and send updates to those that are signed up.  If your projected turnout is one hundred or less, online registration really is not a must, but can still be helpful.  Regardless of the size of your race, you must have a paper registration form.

Try to keep this to one page for simplicity and include all the day-of event details.  It is worth the effort to make it attractive and informative.  Sitting amongst dozens of other race flyers, you want yours to stand out.

One of the most head-scratching decisions to be made is what to charge for registration.  This figure should be directly correlated to three things: 1. How much you are trying to raise 2.  What it will cost to put on the event, and 3. What inherent value runners will receive by participating (race shirt, free food/beverage, cool course, big after party, etc).  That being said, I have paid anything from five to thirty dollars for the shorter races and upwards of a hundred bucks to run a marathon.  Unless your costs are prohibitively high, try to keep the fee at $25 for a 5K and $30 for a 10K ($80 for a Full Marathon and $50 for a Half).  If you are going to offer your runners some high quality freebies (and you advertise such things to them) then feel free to charge a little more.  In order to encourage people to sign up early you may want to raise the fee for race day sign up.  This will allow for a better estimate on turnout, which will help in forecasting the amount of everything you will need on the day of the event (food, beverage, shirts, race packets, etc).

On a legal note, the disclaimer at on the registration form needs to be tailored to include your event information (including all vested parties) and MUST be signed by the runner or their legal guardian (if they are under 18).  Anyone participating without signing a waiver is a HUGE liability.

Promotion

What good is all this work if nobody actually shows up on race day?  If you want to raise a lot of money and have a successful event, spreading the word is key.  Start off by contacting local track/running clubs and getting your race on their calendars.  Runners will travel for larger races, so consider contacting regional clubs as well if you are planning a half or full marathon.

Chances are your advertising budget is either slim or non-existent, so try to find creative ways to get in front of the general public.  I highly recommend visiting all specialty running stores in the area with flyers and registration forms.  Not only do they typically have a section devoted to race info, they also may have an email list or website that informs runners of upcoming events.  Your event will help get runners in their store, so they should be more than happy to help promote.

Not surprisingly, your best audience is those who are already running races in the area.  Offer up yourself as a volunteer for other events and chances are they will be happy to include your flyer in the race packet.  Side Note: Helping with other races will give you some valuable experience with day-of coordination, and an understanding of what it takes to pull it off.

If you want to explore mass-media options, it is worth noting that some TV stations allot ad space for non-profit use.  They can also help you film the PSA (public service announcement) in their studios and have you on as a guest to talk about the race.

Disseminating posters and yard signs around town is always a cheap and easy way to spread the word.

Lastly, be sure to utilize your non-profit partner.  They are in the business of raising money and awareness for a cause, so they should have some connections.  Chances are they will gladly post something on their website as well as giving a mention in emails and mass mailings.

Race Packet

So you have all the high-level stuff taken care of.  Now it is time to work on the little things that will set you apart.  First and foremost, let’s talk about the obligatory race shirt (or suitable alternative).  Runners will go to great lengths for a shirt or race artifact, because it is proof that they accomplished something, so put some thought into it.  There are a lot of cool races out there that give runners something unique and memorable.  Feel free to be creative.  If you go the t-shirt route, look into purchasing a non-cotton breathable “tech” variety – the cost may be a little higher, but it will be appreciated.  Most printing companies will have a catalog of shirt options and plenty of ways to incorporate your graphics.  Just remember that the back is valuable ad space for your sponsors!

For the remainder of the packet the goal is not to inundate participants with crappy little trinkets that find the trash immediately.  Go for energy bars, gels, and useful items that runners need.  If the race is during a cold time of year, throw in some cheap running gloves or hand warmers.  As mentioned in the Promotion section, throwing in other race flyers could get some volunteer help, and a few sponsor mentions are acceptable.  One final thing – don’t forget race numbers and safety pins!  Rainbow Racing System has cheap generic numbers as well as customizable options.

Taking it to The Next Level

There are overachievers in every group, so I figured I would include a few things that will garner some extra bonus points for your event.  These certainly are not things that you have to do, but if you want credibility, this is how to do it.

Course Mapping

If you have access to a handheld GPS unit, then Mapmyrun.com is a great way to post your course online.  All you need to do is run/bike (or drive if you are a cheater) the route and upload the information to the site.  With this, you can distribute course maps via your race website or via printout in the race packets.

Timing Chips

In its most basic form, timing your runners involves a stopwatch and a clipboard.  This is perfectly acceptable for fifty people, but what if you have hundreds or thousands of participants?  Answer: the timing chip.  This little guy is attached to the shoe of all the runners and is activated and deactivated at the start and finish lines.  Many races also place additional mats along the course to gather split times.  Using timing chips will cost a decent amount of money and require a contract company to set up as well as manage the system.  However, this has come to be expected at any big race.

Packet Pickup

For smaller races, distributing race packets at the event will suffice (just make sure you have the volunteers to hand them out), but for larger crowds, you will need a location where participants can get their stuff days before.  This works best at a local running shop, mall, or at the nonprofit that you may be benefitting.  Having a “headquarters” also gives runners a place to sign up in person.

Day Of Operations

So you have everything ready to go, and race day has finally come.  What now?  Well, first of all, make sure you have plenty of volunteers.  You will need them at registration, aid stations, turns in the course, and helping out at the finish line.  To get a good idea of how things should go, either run or help out at another road race.  This will help fill in all the gaps remaining in your planning.

Above all else, be sure that you have sufficient water, medical staff, and signs with clear direction.  As bad as this may sound, assume that runners are incompetent while out on the course and will need as much information and direction as possible.  The last thing you want is to have lost or injured participants without assistance.

Give runners plenty of information regarding the locations of food as well as restrooms.  Begin calling everyone to the line fifteen minutes before start time, so that they are present for last minute instructions.  Once the gun goes off, make sure that you have plenty of contacts on the route to provide periodic updates.

At the finish line, have someone assigned to marking down times for each finishing position.  Additionally, have another person tear off the information from the bottom of each number and put them in order.  To speed the process, start compiling results as people come in.  Have the awards presentation as close to the last finisher as possible.  The longer you wait, the more likely you are to lose people.

Lastly, be sure to thank all attendees and sponsors sufficiently.  This will bode well for the next go round…

So there you have it, your users guide to putting on a successful road race.  Please feel free to email me with any questions, thoughts or comments: matt@DoGoodedness.com.

Happy Trails!

Matt

If you are looking to raise money or awareness for a cause, chances are you have considered putting on a road race. The process seems simple enough, and based on how many there are each weekend, just about anyone can do it. With a little experience under our belts, we are here to offer up plenty of advice on how to organize a successful event. Whether you are planning to have fifty or thirty-thousand participants, here is a step by step explanation of how you can pull off a successful road race.

Cause

Before anything can get rolling, you need to find a cause that your race will benefit. If you plan on partnering with a local or national non-profit, you will need to contact them first and obtain approval. Some organizations (mostly large national groups) require an application and a minimum amount raised. If you want to keep things simple, find a local 501(c)3 (tax deductable non-profit) that is willing to help out and let you use their name and logo without restriction. Later in the process, you will need plenty of volunteers, so consider this as well. An organization with an active Junior Board or affiliated service group is a plus.

Date and Time

Once you have something to raise money/awareness for, the next big ticket item is to pick a date. This is critical, as you do not want to compete with other local races (especially large ones) that are already established. The best way to check for other events is to find a track club/running club website in your area that has an updated calendar. If your town has a civic event page, that would also be worth scanning. Lastly, and laughably most important: avoid coinciding with sporting events that everyone in town is going to or watching. In our area, nobody in their right mind schedules anything during Alabama or Auburn football games (seriously). If you to be conventional, 8am on a Saturday is a standard start time. However, Friday and Saturday nights can also attract a fun crowd (if you have a well-lit course and beer at the finish line). Sunday morning is typically reserved for Marathons, Half-Marathons, and Church.

Course

In determining the length of your race, it is important to consider the intended audience and the resources at your disposable. The 5K (5000 meters or 3.1 Miles) is traditionally the standard and most marketable to the general population. If people have a few miles of training under their belt they can probably tackle one. However, there is always a niche for being different. An 8k (about 5 Miles) is somewhat novel, while still being doable for the average runner. With a 10K (6.2 Miles), Half-Marathon (13.1), and Marathon (26.2), you are primarily targeting the avid runner, but these are some of the largest races in the country (they just require a lot of volunteers). In spite of all of this, you do not have to feel bound by established distances. There are two very popular events in my area that draw a crowd simply because they are non-traditional and different. If you have a great gimmick (cool location, amazing view, formidable challenge), then I say roll with it. Among the thousands of races each year, it pays to stand out.  Something else to consider: many events will also include a “one mile fun run/walk” or kids race to add an extra element.  This will make your race more accessible for the casual runner or walk-up who just wants to participate.  If you already have everything setup for a larger, longer, race, adding a smaller one will be relatively easy.

In regards to the actual layout of your race route, make sure that it is safe, easy to follow, and doable. If you want people to come back next year, you certainly do not want to kill them with ridiculous hills or get them lost in a bad part of town.  Note: I highly suggest running the course yourself before making it final.  There are three conventional course designs that all have advantages and disadvantages.  The “out and back” essentially goes half the race distance away from the start line, turns around, and comes right back.  For someone who enjoys slapping hands with oncoming runners, I tend to get a kick out of this arrangement.  A “loop” course starts and finishes in the same place, but keeps the scenery fresh in between the start and finish.  If there is not enough usable distance to pull off one loop, it is certainly permissible to make a multi-loop course, thus having runners repeat the same route a specified number of times.  You will occasionally see this type of layout for the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials and other spectator-friendly races.  However, if the loop is too short, or is overcrowded with participants; it can be difficult to keep track of everyone.  I like to refer to the third type of course as the “point A to point B” layout.  As is evident in the name, this will start in one location and finish in another.  The biggest drawback here is having to transport runners to the start or back from the finish line after the race is over.  On the upside, participants should have new surroundings for the duration and greater satisfaction for traversing to somewhere other than where they started.  Having described these basic choices, it is worth mentioning that you have to settle on one of them. Feel free to include all three of these elements in your course.

Once you have a course, take the time to figure out where water stops, volunteers, and aid stations will be placed.  The general rule is a minimum of one water stop every two miles, volunteers at every turn or intersection, and one medical aid station every five miles or so.  Longer races (10K and up) should have portolets on the course (for runners and volunteers) at regular intervals, usually between two and five miles apart.  For these distances, the runners will also need food (bananas, oranges, gels, etc.) at a few of the water stops in order to keep their energy levels up.

Start/Finish Line Location

When choosing a location, you have many variables to consider. I suggest finding a host site that provides all the essentials: bathrooms, shelter, and parking.  Runners are not a demanding bunch, but they do require restrooms that are plentiful and easily accessible.  Having indoor or covered facilities will insure that everyone can find a place to get comfortable before and after the event.  People will tolerate rain or chilly conditions while they are running, but not while they are waiting on an awards ceremony or a call to the start line.  Parking is certainly something to keep in consideration, but this is usually not a deal breaker.  If you are trying to get people to run your 5K, conversely, a mile-long walk from the car is not going to go over well.

Before making any final decisions, it is essential that you consider the municipality of the proposed race location/course.  Most, if not all, cities will require you to obtain a road race/parade permit months ahead of time and use their police officers to block the road. Be sure you check what the police will charge you for their services. I have personally seen cities quote from zero to over five thousand dollars.  Be sure to mention that the race is for charity and ask if a volunteer department can be used.  If the course crosses city lines, be sure to contact both municipalities.

Check back later in the week for more on how to put on a Successful Road Race.

DoGood!

Matt
Please Email me (matt@DoGoodedness.com) with any suggestions, comments, or thoughts!

The White House released a statement today that effectively announced a national emergency while also declaring war.   Our great tragedy is the physical health of our children and our foe is the lifestyle that has created such a problem.  If something is not done to change this trend, we could actually see the average lifespan decrease in the next generation.  Health care could turn into a nightmare as the incident rates for heart-related illness and diabetes skyrocket.

The first question we ask ourselves is, of course, “Why is this happening?”  In a world so intently focused on progress, how have we let this issue get out of hand?  As with all national matters, the answer isn’t exactly cut and dry.  A number of factors can be cited, and that is exactly why new efforts have to be unilateral.

What has been established in the wake of recent developments is an initiative known simply as “Let’s Move.”  Our First Lady, Michelle Obama, has become the national spokesperson.  Here’s the skinny:

It has been determined by the powers that be (which I agree with) that there should be four primary areas of focus in order for Let’s Move to really be effective:  Healthy Choices, Healthier Schools, Physical Activity, and Accessible & Affordable Healthy Food.

A large part of making better choices is having better information.  As you might have guessed, the consumer needs more than just a food pyramid these days.  Along with revamping this outdated system, there are plans by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to make product packaging more straightforward.  More importantly, though, is the aim to encourage education throughout households.  Everything starts with parents, and convincing them to change is priority one.

The war inside school cafeterias has been waged for years.  The debate, as always, is where is the line between what is good for the kids and what they actually want for lunch.  I, ashamedly, admit to subsisting on a diet of fries, pizza, and chicken fingers for the better part of my prep years.  Knowing what I know now, I would have done things differently, but a ramped up metabolism and a semi-active lifestyle is enough for most teenagers to be indifferent about such things.  If change is to take hold, a revamp of school menus will have to be accompanied by convincing information that communicates the “why” portion.  Once again, family endorsement is a key factor to success.

A lack of physical activity is plaguing more than just children.  With our hectic schedules and modern conveniences, we are moving less and less.  It now takes a trip to the gym or a specialized exercise routine to keep our bodies in check.  Why then, is it a surprise that the next generation is getting off to a bad start?  Physical Education needs to make a comeback in our schools.  Anything that gets everyone moving is a step in the right direction.  At home, video games and computers have to be balanced with some good old fashioned outside time.

This last part is a bit trickier than the rest.  There appears to be a direct link between low-income families and unhealthy diets.  In large part, this is due to the fact that fast food has become an affordable and convenient staple for many of these families.  Let’s Move refers to such communities as “food deserts.”  Space has been reserved in the President’s 2011 budget to provide healthy and convenient options in target areas.

So that about wraps it up.  If you want to learn more about this new campaign, please read The Official White House Statement and check out the Let’s Move site!

DoGood!

Matt

Please email me with any questions, comments, or stories on how you are doing good! matt@DoGoodedness.com

Of the most basic daily accoutrements, we often take our shoes for granted.  Undoubtedly, you have a handful in your closet right now.  All of them tailored for different applications and outfits.  As a dude, I claim to possess a minimal amount of footwear, but upon closer inspection my closet contains no fewer than eight pair.

Sadly enough, there are approximately 300 million people around the world who do not have this luxury.  Whether they are homeless, or merely the victims of an impoverished society, a good pair of shoes can be a welcomed asset.  Additionally, without the right protection on their feet, these individuals run a much higher risk of injury and infection from the littered streets they traverse.

To meet this need, a host of organizations and companies have stepped up to help distribute footwear to those less fortunate.

Soles4Souls

This Nashville based group began in 2006, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.  The founder and CEO, Wayne Elsey, saw an urgent need, and used his connections to collect shoes for victims.  He continues to carry out that same mission today through dedicated collection sites and large corporate donations.  Their mission is simple – to change the world one pair at a time.  Please visit Soles4Souls.com to find out how you can help their noble cause.

50000Shoes.com

Here’s a movement that has focused specifically on the need in Haiti.  They have set an ambitious goal of collecting 50,000 pairs in 50 days.  I am happy to report that they are well on their way, but could certainly use your donation.  Visit their website for more info and a few celebrity appeals for the cause.

TOM’S Shoes

With a growing fan base and expanding commercial success, there is a good chance you have heard of these folks.  Since the beginning, TOM’S “One for One” concept has won over many consumers.  After all, simply purchasing a pair provides shoes for a child in need.  How cool is that?  You have to love that kind of fashion statement.

The Trak Shak

If you are Birmingham resident, and a runner, then there is no better place to pick up a new pair of kicks.  This local chain keeps their prices competitive by offering a $10 discount when bring in your old pair of shoes.  If they are in decent shape (and don’t smell too bad) then your trade-in is donated to one of three local charities: The Jimmie Hale Mission, The Brother Bryan Mission, and Mega Missions.  Since 1995, the fine folks at the Trak Shak have given over 15,000 pairs to charity!

DoGood!

Matt

Please email me with any questions, comments, or stories on how you are doing good! matt@DoGoodedness.com

It has been a while since we have touched on the topic of personal health, so I wanted to share with you my new favorite way to battle a dormant winter.

Last year, Santa delivered a Wii to our house (and the houses of countless others).  Within a few months we had worn out the Tennis, Bowling, and Golf and thus became largely disinterested in the gaming system.   This time around, Christmas brought Wii Fit Plus.  Originally touted as a gift for my wife, I eventually gave it a try and have since become hooked.

Of course I will always encourage exercising outdoors when possible, but this is great when the elements prevent such measures.  With Birmingham hovering around the twenties for the past few weeks, I was more than happy to move indoors for a stint.  When riding my stationary bike gets old, it is great to have an alternative.

One of the biggest challenges with maintaining an active lifestyle is holding yourself accountable.  We are all human, of course, and more often than not, fall short of our ambitious goals.  Thankfully, Wii Fit can be your impetus to stay the course.  It will monitor your activity, keep you on a schedule, and assist in working towards a goal.

If you want to casually play some of the more entertaining games (while burning a few calories), this is a lot of fun.  For the serious folks, there are plenty of intense workouts that are quite challenging.   A virtual trainer ensures that you know how to do each exercise correctly.

Admittedly, if you happen to be getting ready for a marathon or competitive event, I would not rely too heavily on the Wii Fit for your preparation.  However, the strength and balance programs will serve as a wonderful supplement to your workouts.  As someone who considers himself a decent athlete, it was shocking to see how off-balance I really am.   Because of this, my “Wii Fit Age” had me pegged close to 40 (I am 26, btw).  The challenge of bettering myself in this area has been great motivation, and I can already feel a difference in daily activities.

So, whether you are the serious athlete, recreational gamer, or simply want a fun way to stay in shape, I highly recommend the Wii Fit (or Wii Fit Plus).  Whatever you do, be active and enjoy a healthy lifestyle.

DoGood!

Matt

Feel free to email me with any questions, comments, or thoughts (matt@DoGoodedness.com).

Photo by Kelvin255 via Flickr

Volunteer and get your spin on!

My fellow Americans,

We are two playoff games away from deciding the participants of Super Bowl XLIV.   Are you excited?  I know I am.  Well, as long as the Jets are not involved.  But I digress…

Equally synonymous with the game itself, as you all know, are the commercials.  Companies pay a pretty penny to put their products on display and interrupt your bathroom breaks or beer runs.  Each year tends to bring out the usual players – a few beer companies, the soft drink conglomerates, cell phone carriers, financial institutions and the lot.  Last I checked, thirty-second spots were going for around two and a half million dollars, but there seems no shortage of takers, even in a down year.

Pepsi Refresh Project

That being said, the lineup in 2010 is devoid of one of its long-running contributors; Pepsi.  Instead, the corporate giant has decided on very different marketing campaign, one that I think is quite admirable of them.  Rather than battle it out with Coke on TV spots, Pepsico has turned their focus on a cause-centered campaign they call The Pepsi Refresh Project.  Each month, they will be accepting 1000 submissions from you (the general public) on how you can make a positive impact in your community with their financial assistance.  There are going to be millions of dollars given out, in increments from $5,000 to $250,000, the winners of each award being decided by online voters.  If you have ever wanted to dream big and make a difference, here is your chance for sponsorship!  Listed categories for submission include Health, Neighborhoods, The Planet, Education, Arts & Culture and Food & Shelter.

If you are up for the challenge and make a submission, please tell us here at DoGoodedness so we can let our readers know to vote for your idea!   Email me at Matt@DoGoodedness.com!

Disney’s “Give a Day, Get a Day”

Another idea that I am very pleased with is Disney’s “Give a Day, Get a Day” campaign.  If you have Kids, they probably are quite fond of Disney World.  Heck, I am quite fond of it myself.  It may very well be the happiest place on earth.

The process is simple – volunteer your time with a registered program participant and Disney will give you a free day to one of their theme parks.   One might think that the parameters of this would have to be quite specific, but a quick search near my area code turned up a bevy of qualifying service opportunities.

Click this Link to get started.  I highly recommend a visit to Epcot Center.  Where else can you have a margarita in Mexico, ride the log flume in Norway, and take a nap in the Hall of Presidents in a day?

After a year that had too many front-page stories featuring “corporate greed,” it is wonderful to see that doing good can be a marketable concept.

Have a great week!

Matt

Photo by beatnickside via Flickr

In the wake of the earthquake that destroyed Port-au-Prince, Haiti on Tuesday, there has been a massive outcry for aid.  In a town with an estimated population of two million, tens of thousands are presumed dead and many more are injured.  Those that survived are more than likely without a home.  There is obviously an immediate need for help in this area.  Disaster relief agencies are on the scene or en route, but will still require your support.  DoGooders, here are the things you can do to help.

Donate

This is the easiest and possibly most effective thing you can do to help in a crisis.  There are trained personnel and specialized goods being sent to Haiti, but they will be limited without ample funds to back their efforts.  In the past few days, there have been a host of social networking-based campaigns that have raised millions.  Even if you missed a chance to get involved with these, there are plenty more opportunities.

Props to former President Bill Clinton for establishing a Haitian relief fund with easy and quick giving options.  You can text “haiti” to 20222 to donate $10 to the cause (text message fees apply, obviously).  The Clinton foundation also has a webpage dedicated to collecting funds.

Red Cross has just released $10 Million to aid disaster victims, and is happily accepting donations on their site.  Additionally, you can check Google’s information page for other organizations that are accepting money.

Much more is needed, so please recruit others to join you in giving.  Take up money around the office or start an email chain to spread the word.

Give Blood

The American Red Cross is shipping a massive amount of blood and blood-related products to Hispaniola.  This increased demand can only be met if donors step up to the challenge.  If you live in or around Birmingham, here is a listing of the donation centers and upcoming drives.  Can’t find an event in your area?  Contact the Red Cross affiliate in your area to schedule one at your office, church, school, etc.

Start a Food Drive

Although this may seem insignificant when the current situation calls more for emergency and medical supplies, there will soon be an overwhelming need for food as well as drinking water in Port-au-Prince.  Collect non-perishables and drop them off at designated places in your town.  Check here for locations in Birmingham.

Volunteer Your Services

Currently, getting to Haiti would be quite difficult (as well as dangerous), but the more ambitious of you may want to consider making a trip there in the coming years to assist with whatever rebuilding effort may come next.  As seen with Hurricane Katrina’s aftermath, a massive cleanup effort awaits, and there should be no shortage of organizations looking to fill spots on such crews.  Anticipate this need for years to come.

Consider adoption

I know.  This is a big one.  As far as commitments go, there are few that are as heavily vested as adopting a child.  There have already been reports of an overwhelming number of orphaned children in the Port-au-Prince region.  They are going to need good homes, and some may be relocated to the United States.  If you are looking to add to your family, then please give this some consideration.

Please keep your thoughts and prayers with the victims of this terrible tragedy.  If you want the slightest understanding of what Haiti was like BEFORE the earthquake, then I highly recommend reading Mountains Beyond Mountains about Dr. Paul Farmer and his work there.  Sitting in our cozy houses, it is tough to imagine…

DoGood!

Matt

Email any comments, suggestions, or ideas to Matt@DoGoodedness.com

Greetings!  I hope everyone celebrated the New Year in style.

Aside from a spike in calendar purchases, the one thing synonymous with January 1st is the New Years resolution.  Admittedly, we all make at least one.  Embedded in our less-than-perfect nature is the inherent love of a fresh start.  Whatever you did last year, here is your chance to do it better.  We love the opportunity to have a clean slate.

Along with this idea, I wanted to offer up a little support to keep you on track and motivated as the year progresses – because nothing sucks more than failing to keep a promise to yourself.  From my experience, here are the best ways to stay in the groove and accomplish those goals.

Read This

If books are your outlet, then here are a few of my favorites by category:

Environment: If you want to lessen your environmental impact and put in the extra effort to do good this year, I suggest “The Lazy Environmentalist on a Budget.”  This handy work will keep everything in perspective while holding you accountable.  All credit to Santa Claus for delivering this one to the Chapman house.

Health: As most of our resolutions fall into the “getting into shape” realm, I have a few to get the blood pumping.  If you find that keeping up the regular exercise as easy at is used to be, then pick up “Every Second Counts”  by Lance Armstrong (with Sally Jenkins).  Whatever difficulties you are going through, they probably isn’t as stifling as a bout with multiple forms of cancer.  Leave it to the seven-time Tour De France champion and Cancer activist to get you off your butt.

If running is your passion, I highly recommend “Born To Run” by Christopher McDougall.  It will definitely help you find joy in putting one foot in front of the other.  This helped me get ready for a 200 mile relay, and the highly entertaining romp is enough to get anyone moving.

Community: If you want to feel like your altruistic self is lacking, then pick up “Mountains Beyond Mountains.”  In this revealing account, Tracy Kidder details the life and efforts of Paul Farmer, an M.D. who has done more good for the world than any of us can imagine.  Mad props to my buddy Ben Wilson for this one; it completely changed my perspective on what one person can accomplish.

Watch This

Maybe I’m just a goob, but Rocky IV gets the job done, regardless of what type of motivation I require.  Once you see Sly running up snow covered mountains, chasing chickens, and carrying logs, you might just want to get things together.  Unless you are taking on the Communist regime and a juiced up Giant, then whatever you have in the works will seem much more doable.  (ps – this is just a movie, but you and I both know it rocks your face off).

“Without Limits” will get you signing up for every road race on the calendar…guaranteed.  This mini-bio of Steve Prefontaine is the stuff of legends.

My wife highly recommends “Pay it Forward” if things are looking down for your non-profit efforts.  This will give you the inspiration necessary to keep going and do as much good as possible.

If All Else Fails…

Nothing will keep you going like a buddy.  I have trained for several marathons by myself, and the outcome for both was regrettable.  Make things easier on yourself and find a partner to corroborate your efforts.  Whether it be an athletic goal, a fundraising effort, or a resolve to detach from the grid, it always helps to have someone on your side. 

DoGood!

chappy

Please feel free to email me with any comments, suggestions, or ideas: Matt@DoGoodedness.com.