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I have a special young man. Thank God he is healthy. My wife and I are nurses and we did rotations at St Jude's when we were in school. We have seen sick kids, and there is no one on this planet more brave than a terminally ill child. For some reason my young boy has taken an interest in St Jude's as his own choice for helping other people. He did a can collection last year, and we sent his money to Doug so that it could be included in our Tradgang totals.
This year his mom put up with me training and completing a half marathon. When I discussed training for another one we thought of St Jude and my old stomping ground of Memphis (I grew up near there and played ball/went to college near there.) When my son heard the words "St Jude" his ears perked up. He said "Dad, we could raise money for the kids". I had to leave the room for a little bit to compose myself. My kid, always thinking about others...
So instead of ME training for a marathon, he'd train for one. The St Jude Marathon has a family race. The kids do their runs one or two days a week and log their miles. When they have 12.1 of the 13.1 banked, they do the last mile to get their medal the day of the race. Well his sister couldn't let him out-do her and they both have set out to get their miles in. Both have been working hard, and we have an added bonus to help us raise funds here locally.
Talondale (Chuck) did the St Jude's Tshirt for Tradgang this year again. It is a great thing he organized and the shirts are top shelf. After contacting him about some shirts for a project he sold me 20 or so "seconds" for a great deal. After emailing Terry about my idea and getting the green light, we had our way to raise a little money for the kids of St Jude.
Taking the "seconds" and adding a little stuff to the back, then going around to different stores and a few personal friends, all of the shirts are spoken for. We have a couple of runners lined up for their marathon, and a check for $500 to give to the hospital.
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So, we will have a couple of future gangers running for you guys, along with my lovely wife and myself. Tradgang is full of special folks, and it will be an honor to wear the Tradgang St Jude shirts that day. Thank you Talondale, thank you Terry, and thank you Tradgang for all you guys do for those kids.
Way to go!! :thumbsup:
Awesome.
:thumbsup: :clapper:
Outstanding, Mike! When do you run?
Hey Mike, that is a wonderful thing you and your kids are doing! Thanks for sharing it with us! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Thanks fellas! Rick the race is December 4th. It will be shotgun time here in I'll and a perfect time to get away. I am gonna do the family run too as I have developed some knee issues the last month. It is gonna be fun and most of all we will be supporting the kids :)
St. Judes is the first contribution I make every new year.
The race is this weekend :goldtooth:
My children have raised almost $1000 for St Jude and Tradgang T-shirts with St Jude Marathon on the back are being worn by my office, and many others in our a little community as support tomorrow. It is a blessing to be a traditional bowhunter and part of this group of folks here on Tradgang!!!
We will run Saturday morning in Memphis and plan to partake in all the fun the day of the race.
My future bowhunters have grown into fine little people who are healthy future Tradgangers.
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Such a heartwarming story. Thanks for bringing us along.
:bigsmyl:
Excellent, what great kids you have Mike.
:clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
How cool is this? Way!!! I'm saying.... :clapper:
God bless,Mudd
Hey Mike, as a Stalker Recurve Support Group member I would like to send you a donation to include. Shoot me a PM so I can get something in the mail.
That is cool stuff Mike - warms my heart and brings a smile to my face. Great job on helping out the kids at St.Jude as well as raising a couple of fine ones yourself! :notworthy:
Great stuff Mike! :clapper: :clapper:
Good stuff Mike!
Running a half marathon in Charlotte the following weekend. Wish I had a T shirt....I'd wear it for sure!
Thanks fellas!!! Seth and Ava read the thread and smiled so much I can't even tell ya. We have a few days to go before our trip. I might even squeeze a bowhunt or two in before we go :)
You have such a wonderful family Mike a I loved the idea when you told me about it. Good luck this weekend buddy wish I could join you guys.
:wavey:
The race went great...got some before and after pics for you guys! We raised almost $1000 for the kids. My son (the organizer) ran his mile really fast. It was in the afternoon after I had done the 5k that morning. He told me that he was gonna "run for the kids who couldn't". I had to run beside him and he ran like somebody was chasin' him. I thought I was in elk hunting shape...nope. We all wore our modified Tradgang Tshirts. Thanks to everyone that helped!!!
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Absolutely awesome! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
That is an awesome thing that you guys are doing.Congrats to you and your family. :notworthy: :clapper:
hey Mike thank you for the pics of your two special kids you are Blessed sir. :notworthy: :clapper: :clapper:
Wow, missed this thread earlier. Looks great Mike. Glad everything went well. Thanks for the effort! "Good job" to your kids too!
Have we got a smilicon somewhere with a tear in his eyes????
Thanks for sharing...... :campfire:
I don't have words at this moment for how COOL this is!
Thank you and your family for all your effort.
:thumbsup:
Got your tears right here Terry, wish I could attach them. My this is so awesome. I am quilty for taking granted so often what God has blessed me with.... things like this sure make you thank him for it. A great thing you did Mike & family !!
Froggy
Thanks again everyone! I tell ya, we had tons of folks ask about those shirts and I got to tell them about Tradgang. The lady that took our collections knew all about what it does yearly for St Jude :notworthy:
So, next year maybe I could recruit some of my brothers here to run and raise money in Elvisland...think about it. Bunch of arra slingers from Tradgang mixin' in with elite runners and raisin' a little money. Every pot of gumbo needs a little flavor :)
One last pick of my elite runners...and once again I am proud to be a part of such fine folks as you!
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I missed the thread earlier too. Awesome!!
Good on ya Mike! What a great family :)