Raising money by running a marathon

Less than a year ago Amazing Guy weighed over 310 pounds. While he is 6'3", he was big. Gut hanging over the belt, several chins big.

Last spring he decided to do something about it. Now he weighs around 230 pounds and looks as amazing as he is. And the terrific thing is he owned this effort - I did not nag him (right honey?) because I'm not that type (except the kids and their homework but that's different). To just add more awe to this awesome effort, he's decided to run the Boston Marathon to raise money for a terrific organization.

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The Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership (MBHP) is a stellar non-profit that offers programs and supports which works to prevent homelessness, foster economic self-sufficiency, and ensure housing stability for everyone in the region. They provide help for homeless, elderly, disabled, and low- and moderate-income residents of Boston and 29 surrounding communities. As their materials say "we believe that everyone deserves a place to call home."

I've stood in their offices and watched young mothers searching for rental housing in a clean computer center with books lying around for their children. And the kids get to take the books home. They have inspectors who go out to make sure the housing their clients are in are safe. Perhaps most exciting is the initiative to help families who receive government rental assistance to create long-term goals to eventually become homeowners.

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When I first met Amazing Guy he was working as a residential counselor at a boys' home. Eventually he went to graduate school to get his Masters in Social Work. Before all the breakthroughs in AIDS treatment, AG ran a house for persons with AIDS in a run-down second tier city north of the state capitol. Then he ran a statewide housing voucher program for persons with AIDS. And while he left the non-profit housing field to attend law school and eventually joined a firm, he hasn't forgotten the importance of safe and stable housing for vulnerable populations.

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Amazing Guy is now up to running 17 miles on Saturday mornings. He runs 6-7 miles several times during the week on a treadmill but on Saturdays he runs along a part of the Marathon route, in the snow, cold and other lovely winter elements.

One of the ways MBHP raises money to support their work is by sponsoring runners in the Boston Marathon. That little 26 mile 385 yard race which includes a small incline called Heartbreak Hill. Runners agree to raise funds for the sponsoring organization in return for a shirt number in one of the most famous and difficult marathons in the world.

Amazing Guy's goal is to finish the race and raise $3000. His times are improving weekly and today he is 1/3 of the way to raising the funds. If you can, please consider supporting his run and a terrific organization working to make safe housing available to all in the Boston area. And while it isn't a prerequisite to continue reading my blog, it sure would endear me to you. Small amounts, medium size and big grand figures are all welcomed at www.firstgiving.com/craigtodaro.

There is one problem though with his new weight. His rugby nickname has been "Big Daddy". Only he isn't so big now. Teammates often yell at him "get that man a hamburger!" And he just smiles.