On Monday, October 23, I'll turn 70. On Sunday, the day before, I'm running the Marine Corps Marathon 10K for the Organization for Autism Research or OAR. I'm at the age where my knees, back, and brain are yelling, "Noooooo, Mikey, don't do it!" But my heart, especially on the heels of our Encore Prize success in Boston this past week, says, "It's for a great purpose, old boy. You've still got one left in you." I'm not sure about the latter, but I'm in.
For those who don't know about the Encore Prize, we just won the People's Choice Prize and $50,000 for our Hire Autism initiative to help young people wiht autism find work that matches their skills. It is our major program initiative currently in test mode here in No. Virginia. I'm pleased to report we just helped our first person with autism find a job. We plan to repeat that many times over in the years to come.
No big mystery as to why I'm running. OAR will be 16 years in December. As I told one media person at the Encore Prize finals in Boston last week, "I didn't have a personal connection to autism when I started way back when, but after 16 years the many personal connections I have are better described as valued friendships." So, I run in admiration for and honor of these new friends in my later life and the persons with autism in their lives for whom they give so much each day.
To put that in perspective, in August, Elaine and I welcomed the birth of our third grandchild. We have been blessed that our children and grandchildren enjoy good health. Any challenges we as a family have faced pale in comparison to those my friends who have children with autism face. So, this run's for them and their families. I will move slowly, I'm sure. But the longer I'm out there on the course, the more time it gives me to think of all my friends, especially those impacted by autism, enjoy the great atmosphere of the race, and for a short while be in and among Marines! Sounds like a great day to me. I'm not too old for one more like that! OOOHRAH! Semper Fidelis
| Supporters | |||
| Name | Date | Amount | Comments |
| Robert Segal | 10/25/2017 | $100.00 | Scott McKenzie | 10/23/2017 | $50.00 | Mike - I'm with donations like you are with Christmas Cards - they always get sent eventually. Glad you had a successful campaign and run. All the best, Dog. | Marie Johnson | 10/23/2017 | $100.00 | Richard Maxwell | 10/22/2017 | $100.00 | Mike, from both Bev and I. Congrats onbyour wins... | James M. Sack | 10/22/2017 | $250.00 | Mike, As promised! Warm regards, Jim and Suzanne | Sandy & Doug Marocco | 10/21/2017 | $50.00 | Your leadership is an outstanding example and OAR is a success because of your hard work. Best of Luck on your 10K and Semper Fi #43035 - Sandy & Doug Marocco | Joe David Robinson | 10/21/2017 | $200.00 | Good luck Mike! Proud of you! | Burton Quist | 10/21/2017 | $50.00 | Mike, BZ for even starting, let alone finishing! Semper Fidelis, Burt | Mary Bonislawski | 10/21/2017 | $100.00 | Madeline Millman | 10/21/2017 | $100.00 | Congrats on your 70th birthday Mike, and your 16 years with OAR! We're making progress! | Stephen McCartney | 10/20/2017 | $100.00 | Good luck, Mike. | Steven Peterson | 10/20/2017 | $100.00 | Keep up the great work. Semper Fi, Steve | Richard and Rosemary Wissing | 10/20/2017 | $50.00 | We will be watching the local news to see you cross the finish line | Rita & Chris Foss | 10/20/2017 | $100.00 | What an inspiration! Have a great run! | Anonymous Friend | 10/19/2017 | $250.00 | Let's get this party started! | Pamela Maloney | 10/19/2017 | $50.00 | Good luck with the run, Uncle Mike! Oooh rah! | Vincent Ialenti | 10/19/2017 | $100.00 | 10K? That's impressive and 9.5K more than most 70 year olds can do | Glen Finland | 10/19/2017 | $100.00 | You totally charmed me, Mikey! Great mission letter! | Keith and Kathy Duhe | 10/19/2017 | $50.00 | Go, Mikey, go!!! | Paul Atanasio | 10/19/2017 | $200.00 | As always, good job Mike | Artie Kempner | 10/19/2017 | $500.00 | Way to Go Mike! Semper Fi! | James Magee | 10/19/2017 | $50.00 | Go Mike, Go! | Edward O'Neil | 10/19/2017 | $100.00 | Try to finish before dark! | Dennis McConaghy | 10/19/2017 | $50.00 | Proud of you, Mike. | Lori Lapin Jones | 10/19/2017 | $200.00 | You don't look a day over 50!! Go Mike. And Happy Birthday. | Lisa Hussman | 10/19/2017 | $250.00 | Good Luck, Mike! | John C. Campbell | 10/19/2017 | $50.00 | Go Mike Go! |
| Total | $3,400.00 | ||