| Fundraiser Spotlight "My Inspiration is Emmanuel and that man in Kenya" |
Fresh from her success in completing the recent Las Vegas half-marathon, Cindy Yankee will be strapping on her sneakers again this February as a fundraiser with a purpose – not to become a great runner, but to use her hard work and dedication to inspire others to donate wheelchairs. A former swim coach, Cindy has the mental game she needs to push herself and stay focused, but it is her unique history that has encouraged her in this particular direction.
“There are many stories in my life that have led me to this place,” Cindy said. “My father was a tremendous influence, always encouraging me to do my best, to try harder.” Cindy recalled being overweight as a kid. “People picked on me,” she said, “but I went on to become a strong athlete. I owe that determination to my dad.” Later, as a swim coach, Cindy herself became the encourager. “I looked for kids who were perhaps not the athletic type, and I tried to re-define ‘winning’ for them,” she said. “It’s amazing what happens when kids come to believe in themselves!” An experience in Africa intensified Cindy’s global concern for the welfare of others. “My sister lived in Kenya,” she said,” so I was fortunate enough to be able to travel there. I remember being in the marketplace, surrounded by beggars, and I had my purse out and I was just overwhelmed, and handing out money as fast as I could.” Cindy recalls her emotion as the coins ran out, yet one man remained before her, waiting. “As the others left, I saw in front of me a man with no legs,” she said. His arms were misshapen, and he had a hair-lip and one white eye. He just stared up at me, until finally he lifted his chin and turned away from me and struggled off. I felt so utterly hopeless.” Cindy added, “That was in 1990. I have never forgotten him.” “My All-American days as a swimmer are over,” Cindy said. “I’m fat and out of shape, and people may look at me in Huntington Beach and think I’ll never make it,” she said, “but I know I won’t quit, because my inspiration is Emmanuel and that man in Kenya that lives on in my memory.” “I have an opportunity here, and I want to make a difference.” Check out Cindy’s page at http://www.firstgiving.com/cindyyankee. For more information on setting up your own fundraising page for the Run, Walk and Roll for Mobility 2007, contact Vanessa Ryan, Marathon Coordinator, at (949) 273-8470, x213, or e-mail her at vryan@freewheelchairmission.org. |
| 101 FUNDRAISERS! | ||
| $120,259.78 (5 CONTAINERS) 2709 Wheelchairs
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| Who are the Top Teams & Fundraisers? |
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Bookmark THIS PAGE to keep track of the top fundraisers and teams to date. |
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| What are OFFLINE DONATIONS and why should I care? |
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| IMPORTANT! Your help is needed for accurate records. |
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| 1. An OFFLINE DONATION is a donation that is made by someone who is not using a credit card online. They may have sent a check to you or FWM on your behalf.
2. OFFLINE DONATIONS (checks) are NOT automatically added to the total on your own fundraising page. 3. You must manually add any OFFLINE DONATIONS that you are aware of to your account. 4. How to add OFFLINE DONATION amounts to your account? DETAILS HERE |
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| DON'T FORGET THE DINNER! | ||
Yes, on Saturday, February 4, we will |
and ask for Vanessa Ryan, our Marathon Coordinator
a SIGN UP TO BE A FUNDRAISER TODAY!
