Monday, July 2, 2018

Spark Gives Back

SPARK GIVES BACK

Sunday, July 22nd



Spark athletes, clients and friends are invited to give back to the running community on Sunday, July 22nd at  our first ever Spark Gives Back event. It will be our chance to help out our fellow runners through two events. Join us for one or both and invite your friends!

  • Volunteer at our aid station during the Chicago Rock 'N Roll Half Marathon from 5:30-10:30 am.  Our group will be at the 31st and Rhodes aid station from 5:30-10:30 am on Sun, July 22nd. Yes, this is early, but this is what happens behind the scenes at every race we do so let's take over the station and show our spirit! Please sign up at this link using code SPARK to join the team.
  • Join us for Brunch at Coach Angela's after volunteering from 11-2. A $20 suggested donation will be in place during the brunch to support fellow Sparkies who are racing for charities in upcoming events.  Didn't get the Facebook invite? Email angela@sparkmultisport.com for all details.
The represented Spark athletes and charities are:

MARY SHEA, PAN MASS CHALLENGE RASING MONEY FOR DANA FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE
My name is Mary Shea and I am a principal analyst at Forrester Research, a global market research company. When I have free time, I love to travel and spend time with family and friends. I like to work out, walk my doggies and do outdoor activities in the "way life should be" state. I am raising money for Dana-Farber in Boston, MA through the PanMass Challenge, a 200-mile bike ride across the state of Massachusetts. This will be my third and final time doing ride. One hundred percent of rider-raised donations will go directly to Dana Farber and each rider must raise $5K to participate. I am grateful for any support the Spark athletes can provide for my swan song ride for this amazing cause. 

ALICE SHEA, PAN MASS CHALLENGE RASING MONEY FOR DANA FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE
My name is Alice Shea and I am a middle school teacher at a public school in Portland, ME. In my free time I like to sew, read, spend time with family, eat, watch TV and reluctantly train for various physical challenges. I am raising money for Dana-Farber in Boston, MA through a 200 mile bike ride this summer. I decided to take on this challenge in honor of my dear friend’s daughter Addy who fought and won a rare form of cancer in 2015. 100% of rider-raised revenue goes directly to support the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s tireless commitment to finding a cure for cancer.

STEPHANIE COOPER, MONTREAL HALF MARATHON RAISING MONEY FOR AMERICAN TRANSPLANT FOUNDATION
About 2 years ago, I became a living kidney donor to my cousin, who has PKD and was in desperate need of a new kidney.  Fortunately, the hospital where this took place works with the American Transplant Foundation.  This incredible organization helps potential living donors financially, including travel expenses, housing stipends, etc.  I, personally, was able to take the necessary recovery time needed because of the financial support of this foundation.  I am raising money to support this important cause so more people can become living donors and more lives can be saved.  
Link to donate: https://www.classy.org/fundraiser/1513910

ANNA INABINET, CHICAGO MARATHON RAISING MONEY FOR GIRL SCOUTS OF AMERICA
I chose to run the Chicago Marathon with the Girls Scouts team because I believe in their mission and the important lessons they teach girls. My daughter is a Daisy Scout. She's five years old. It is so important for her to have a place where she's with other girls, learning to be a better person, a better friend, a better community member, and a better person in this world. I love that they learn they can do anything, and then they learn how to change the world. I was a Girl Scout when I was a little girl, as well, and it had a huge impact on me. So, basically, I'm running for Girl Power!, which seems to be more important more now than never.
Link to donate:  https://2018-girl-scout-go-getters-bank-of-america-chicago-mara.everydayhero.com/us/anna-s-a-girl-scout-go-getter-in-the-chicago-marathon