Team Congo PDX Cause + Event Rundown

On Saturday, November 16, 2013 Team Congo PDX participated in Cause + Event Portland, a local running/walking event which benefits the charity of the particpant's choice.  Team Congo PDX brought 47 team members to the event, and had participant's entered into both the 10K and 5K run, as well as the 5K walk and virtual walk/run.

Group photo!

$10 of each Team Congo PDX member's registration fee was a direct donation to Women for Women International's Congo program.  In total we raised$545, which is enough to sponsor one woman for one year, plus 40% toward a second one year sponsorship.  This amount represents each team member's registration fee and donations ($470 fees / $75 donations).  

Women for Women International's one year program in Congo provides women (mainly from the east) with job training skills, as well as trauma counseling as most women have been victims of sexual assault/violence, and upon graduation are given a micro loan in order to put their newly learned job skills to use.  (Team Fundraising Page).

It was truly a fun day, and the event was well planned. About 5 months prior to the event Team Congo PDX entered into a friendly side-challenge with Team Angel MS Warriors to see who could bring the largest team.

Team Angel MS Warrior Captain Charlie & Team Congo PDX Captain Amanda

The losing team was to complete an exercise of the winning team's choice. Although Team Congo PDX lost the challenge, The Angel's were great sports & did the 80 some-odd jumping jacks with us pre-race (a great way to get warmed up)!  Rumor has it the challenge is on again for next year (Save the date: 9.13.14 Cause + Event!)

The race course itself was brilliant in that it consisted of several out & backs and so you got to pass by & high five your fellow team mates as you passed by them.  A great way to recharge your running/walking spirit! 

The after-race celebration was also upbeat & much fun.

Team Congo PDX members warming by the heater pre-race

 I enjoyed being able to say hi and thank you to as many Team Congo PDX members as possible, and was inspired at the cross section of our team: co-workers, running friends, fellow activists, high school classmates...

A special thank you to the Never Again Coalition for helping to recruit Team Congo PDX members, and of course the the Cause + Event volunteer race committee, and in particular Race Director Amy Little.

If you'd like to support Team Congo PDX, you can join us for our annual charity group walk/run on International Women's Day (3.8.14): Click here to register.