Charity Fundraisers are Underway!

As the weather gets warmer, my motivation to get in shape increases. And this year, instead of my usual broken promises to exercise/go to the gym, I am commiting myself to a few charities that I support, and I am going to walk/run for a cause. The first two walks are coming up soon: Continentals Care Walk for Children is on April 28 (the day after my birthday), and March of Dimes March for Babies is on May 12.

Continentals Care 5K Walk/Run
On Saturday, April 28 at 8am, I will be walking/running for my Thrift Chapter Order of the Eastern Star Sister's fundraiser with the PG County Chapter of Continental Societies, Inc. and the City of Glenarden as they raise money for Education. I am reallye excited about this run because I am so worried that by the time T.J. is in school, the education system will be going downhill quickly. After reading the mission of The Continental Societies, Inc., I pledged my support to this endeavor in the hope that my small contribution may aid their goals to support our community's youth.

March for Babies
On Saturday, May 12 at 9am, I will be walking/running for the March of Dimes "March for Babies", along with my Sorors from Beta Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. March for Babies is a fundraiser that supports prenatal care for underpriviledged women in order to reduce premature birth. I may have not mentioned it here, but T.J. was born a month early, and he was a week shy of "full term". He stayed in the NICU for five days after his birth, and thankfully never had to be in an incubator. T.J. was a strong baby, despite being on 5lbs 9ozs. And I could not imagine what the other parents were going through as they sat next to their tiny newborns. So I decided to take on this charity to help prevent other mothers from having to sit in a NICU with a premature baby.

Left: TJ in the NICU at two hours old (5lbs, 9oz) Right: T.J. at 3 and 1/2 months old (13lbs)

Right now, I am trying to prepare myself for these walks with some early morning jogging. It hasn't been easy, let me tell you. I have gotten lazy in my pregnancy/maternity leave. So now I need to really push myself, because April 28 is three weeks away! I just hope I don't eat too much birthday cake the night before, because then l wil REALLY have a hard time getting up to go running! I will update you as to how it goes... :-)