man’s efforts link runners with partners with special needs

by Kevin Bonham from the Grand Forks Herald:
CROOKSTON — When Tim Boyle started running less than 15 months ago, his goal simply was to get off the couch.

“I had quit smoking and I found that all I was doing was sitting around, getting fatter,” the 41-year-old Crookston resident said last week. “All I did was trade one bad habit for another.”

It worked. He got into shape and started running competitively, entering the 5K in Sunshine Foundation’s Walk and Fun Run in Grand Forks in January.

After finishing the run, he posted a photo on Facebook.

Among those commenting on his photo was someone named Michael Wasserman, a 52-year-old California resident who has Down syndrome and bilateral hip dysplasia.

Wasserman is an artist whose works were featured this fall in an online gallery sponsored by the International Down Syndrome Coalition.

Boyle praised Wasserman’s artwork and commented that he would think of him when he runs.

Wasserman’s mother posted his response: “You can run for me any time.”

That’s all it took.

Later that month, Boyle founded Who I Run 4, a non-profit organization matching athletes with special-needs children and adults.

Spread the word

The group, which spreads its message through Facebook.com/IRunFor and a new WhoIRun4.com website, has grown incredibly fast. Membership reached 10,000 last week, with members in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and 26 countries.

Who I Run 4 already has matched more than 3,000 athletes with special needs partners.

“We’ve got 1,600 runners waiting for a buddy,” Boyle said.

So far, about 80 percent of the special needs membership is made up of children. Boyle hopes it grows to include more adults.

The athletes do not raise money for their online buddies. Rather, they provide inspiration by posting pictures, reports on their progress or awards and messages. They also tag the parents, so they can monitor the exchanges.

For athletes, it provides a sense of purpose — training or competing on the child’s behalf.

“They can dedicate an event or a workout to their buddy,” Boyle said.

For the special needs children and their families, it’s a new kind of connection.

“Parents say this gives them a sense of freedom,” he said. “This allows an outsider in and promotes awareness. There’s somebody outside that cocoon thinking about their child.”

Inspiration

Boyle’s initial inspiration came from a quote he read on Google: “I run because I can. When I get tired, I remember those who can’t run, what they’d give to have this simple gift I take for granted, and I run harder for them. I know they would do the same for me.”

He modified the quote, to serve as the motto for Who I Run 4: “God gave us the gift of mobility; others aren’t as fortunate. I run for Michael. Who do you run for?”

“We’ve got beginners. We’ve got veteran Boston Marathon runners,” Boyle said.

Among the members is the USA Inline Speed Skating World Team.

Another is Renee Baio, wife of actor Scott Baio, who probably is best known for his role as Chachi in the 1970s sitcom “Happy Days.” Renee Baio is president of the Bailey Baio Angel Foundation, which raises money for special needs children. It is named for their daughter.

Who I Run 4 officially supports four different organizations: Special Olympics; Make-A-Wish Foundation; International Down Syndrome Coalition; and the Hands and Feet Coalition.

The group, which is run by volunteers, has conducted one fund-raising event, so far, raising nearly $12,000. It plans to be a major sponsor of the Sunshine Foundation’s 2014 Walk and Fun Run.

Setting a goal

Boyle, who grew up in Crookston, was a police officer in Montgomery, Ala., from 2003 to 2006. These days, he works at Digi-Key, the electronics components distributor in Thief River Falls.

He spends at least 40 hours a week working with the charity and runs nine to 12 miles a week. He also has a small staff of volunteers.

His goal is to raise enough money to start paying a staff and, perhaps, to work it full-time himself.

He’s set an initial goal of raising about $40,000 annually — perhaps $1,000 each from 40 corporate sponsors. That would allow the non-profit charity to expand its fund-raising efforts.

“If we could get to that point, it would be just great,” he said. “This sure beats life on the couch.”

breakfast & run fundraiser showcases its participants

WMDT 47 News - Delmarva's Choice

by Natalie Costello from WMDT 47 News:
Sunday, two Delaware organizations, the Boardwalk Buddy Walk and Best Buddies Delaware teamed up to host the first annual Dewey Beach 5K Run and Pancake Breakfast.

People came from near and far to show their support for The Best Buddies Delaware. The event was held to raise funds and educate others about the importance of providing enriching programs for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

"I truly believe in the organization of Best Buddies, it's brought so many kids at the High School together. It's friendships that last a lifetime," says Pam Johnson. Johnson is the advisor for Dover High School's Best Buddy Program.

Dennis Diehl, founder of Boardwalk Buddy Walk, works closely with students at Chimes, a Delaware organization that provides vocational and other types opportunities for people with disabilities.

Dennis is proud of all his students, especially Eddie Drake who is studying culinary arts.

"It makes my day, I come and watch these guys come in and out of the kitchen, it gives them such an appreciation that they are doing something meaningful... and watching Eddie smile. He makes me laugh all the time. It's a great day when Eddie shows up to work," says Dennis.

And Dennis was right, you can't help but smile when you are around Eddie. When asked what his favorite part was about cooking, he quickly replied, "Um...Spaghetti!"

And for high school senior Andrew Granda, a Best Buddies participant and avid cross country runner, it was today's 5K event that brings a smile to his face. ""I've been in a lot of 5K's, in fact, I've done cross county for three years and I am going to do it for my last year."

Sunday's fundraiser was more than just a 5K and pancake breakfast, it was a chance for Best Buddies Delaware to showcase some of the amazing talents and personalities of their participants.

the 5K Fun Run and Dash for Down Syndrome

from BarringtonPatch:

When Nancy Gianni, the founder of Down Syndrome awareness center Gigi’s Playhouse and her busy team of volunteers first organized the 5k Fun Run and Dash for Down Syndrome in 2003, they had no idea of the success it would lead to.

“This keeps getting bigger every year,” an energized and excited Gianni said over the microphone from the main stage to the cheering volunteers, walkers, runners and dashers that packed the parking lots of the South Barrington’s Arboretum on Sunday, June 12..  “We have more than 2,200 participants this year, and that is awesome; but let’s try for 3,000 (participants) next year!”

If the cheering from the audience was any indication, than three thousand walkers and runners in next year’s event sounds about right.

“We are incorporating five different Playhouses from all around the Chicagoland area into this event,” Jenni Von Tobel executive director for Gigi’s Playhouse said of just some of the different walking teams that came out in support of Down syndrome awareness.  “And all the money we raise goes straight into programming.”  

The funds from the eighth annual event will not only help support the continued growth of the different Playhouses in operation, but also the 26 different therapeutic and educational programs that is offered to children with Down Syndrome at each Playhouse location.

“The proceeds will help our reading program and the newly piloted math program,” Gianni said.  “We provide one-on-one tutoring in reading and math, our two biggest programs, and that really helps the kids in school.”

Gigi’s Playhouse, which first began in Hoffman Estates, has seen some exciting growth since its inception in Gianni’s basement eight years ago.  Not only did they begin an annual event that brings tremendous support from the community and local businesses to help the center’s fight for awareness of Down Syndrome, but the Playhouse has grown to nine locations scattered throughout the Illinois and even the United States. Gianni says there is even more growth on the horizon.

“We are going international this year,” Gianni said.  “Our tenth location will open in Mexico.”
Both Gianni and Von Tobel credit the growth of the event, and the various Gigi’s Playhouses, to the amazing effort from the community.

“Volunteers are at the heart of what we do,” Von Tobel said of the more than 200 volunteers that work with the different programs in the Chicagoland area.  “We had about 125 volunteers that have been here since 5:30 this morning.”

“The volunteers have done everything, and we couldn’t have done this event without them,” Gianni said agreeing with Von Tobel.  “This event has been fantastic and everything went off without any issues.”
The inspiration for the 5k Fun Run came from a mother that hoped to enter a marathon race with her daughter, who is afflicted with Down Syndrome.  but was unsure if she would be able to.  Gigi’s Playhouse helped make that dream come true for the mother by instilling self-esteem and easing some of the fears associated with Down Syndrome.  Gianni and Gigi’s Playhouse decided to host the 5k run that has now become an annual event.  

“Our kids can walk; they can run; they can do anything,” says Gianni, who knows a little something about being inspired; after all her daughter Gigi has the genetic disease and is the inspiration behind the Playhouse.  “So we decided to have this walk to show people that our kids can do everything other kids can do.”

Perhaps it seems that one of the most important things children with Down Syndrome can do, is inspire.  They have inspired a Playhouse, an event and now a community to action.