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Equal Start Presents: The Extra Mile Run
For the last four years, Equal Start has given over $100,000 in goods and service to help Oak Ridge Elementary School thrive in their inner-city location. The challenges they face have stirred me. Despite the Equal Start efforts, test scores remain nearly unchanged.
I asked the Principal, Steve Lewis, what he thought the reason was for little academic increase. Without hesitation, he said “a child’s health and wellness.”
I paused and began to think . . .
“How can state mandated test scores go up when sickness and access to basic health care escapes them?” I needed to run to clear my mind.
What is The Extra Mile Run?
The Extra Mile Run is my way to bring awareness to the plight of inner city health care for children. Going “The Extra Mile” is what is needed to assist the children with basic health care.
What if I were to run 100 miles in 24 hours to raise awareness of the inner-city plight of children’s health care?
What if my run occurred at the same time kids were taking their California STAR exams?
What if I were able to get local businesses, doctors, and dentists, to partner to provide assistance in securing basic health care enrollment?
By addressing the lack of sufficient health care, we have indirectly raised the potential for academic progress. A child can’t focus on education and learning when distracted with sickness and illness that could easily be Along The Extra Mile Run route are businesses and individuals who want to help. Each has been asked to give toward sponsoring that stretch of the road.
What if I could secure $1,000 per mile? That funding would create a tipping point for the coming years and match the finances that Equal Start has been able to give over the last four years. The secured finances would assist the enrollment process for families and sponsor children’s needed co-pay. The best part of The Extra Mile Run creates systemic root-level community partnerships.
The greatest single need for inner-city children is health and dental care. If that can be secured, the kids will not only be healthier, but also be able to maximize the educational experience.
In addition to the funding, the awareness about The Extra Mile Run is creating a buzz. Great people and companies, churches and corporations have partnered with me. You can be a part of this unprecedented effort . . . a goal of getting every child health care. One hundred percent of funds raised goes to the needs of the children. Every dime!
The Aftermath
The Extra Mile Run will be brutal on my body. It will be a snapshot in struggle, pain, promise, and significance. I believe that my temporary pain for their permanent gain is an equitable exchange. The human body can accomplish extraordinary feats of endurance. On May 15, universal health care for an inner-city child will be on the backs of great pediatricians, dentist, businesses, individuals, and me...as I run The Extra Mile.
That is hope.
This is an audacious mountain ahead of me. Call it my Everest. Peering over the summit are children who didn’t get to choose where they were born and raised. In my mind’s eye, I can see them smile.
We will see a city loved.
We will see a community embraced.
We will see a child reached and cared for