You all know how passionate I am about running - it is my freedom, it is my
sanity, it is my community. This year, my passion for running and my faith in the running community was severely shaken due to some anonymous bullying. It made me question what I truly loved about this sport, and why I did it in the first place. I am fortunate that my local community embraced me, showed me non-judgmental support, and helped me find the passion again.
Again this year, I am trying to bring a larger impact with my running - through
running the Hot Chocolate Run and fundraising for Safe Passage. Safe
Passage is a local organization that supports victims of domestic
violence. This is not a fundraising race where the funds disappear into
some national account; they stay local and provide neighbors with the support
and counseling they need in times of crisis. This is an opportunity for
me to use my passion to create positive change in my community, to hope that my running can improve the life of someone else.
This will be my 13th time running the Hot Chocolate Run, and
I hope to fundraise $1,000 for Safe Passage. And, as with past years...if I meet my fundraising goal, I will allow folks to dress me up in a tutu, or a sparkly outfit (see below), or whatever folks can cook up for me.
It's crazy to think that we even need to fundraise for a cause like this, as I wish that domestic abuse didn't even happen - but victims of domestic abuse need all the help and support that Safe Passage can give them. So, if you're reading this and are so inspired, I appreciate anything that
folks can give ($5, $10, whatever!). Either way, especially coming
into the holidays, I would challenge everyone to try to find a way for your
running to support change in your community!
Here is the link to my personal fundraising page: https://hotchocolaterun.greatfeats.com/amy-rusiecki
(If I raise over
$1,000, y'all can get me to run in another awesome outfit like this!)
