Blog Action Day : Raise Your Voice for Congo

Since 2007 Blog Action Day has been bringing voices, simultaneously, together around one theme to share collective stories from around the world.

It's a global conversation, if you will.  This year's theme is Raise Your Voice. I think it's important to have global conversations, and further I think it's important to appreciate that in every corner of our world we are all connected in ways that are obvious and also not so obvious. 

Fall of 2011 is when I first felt compelled to Raise My Voice. Thankfully, living in the United States, I am free to do so.

2011 Solo Fundraiser

 

So, what exactly happened in 2011?  Well, it's simple really, I read a series of books. I've always had a special place in my heart with regard to understanding, well maybe understanding is not the correct word, but I've always been drawn to reading about not only the Holocaust, but genocide in general.  In 2011 I stumbled upon a book called Not on Our Watch by John Prendergast and Don Cheadle, which discussed their mission to end genocide in Darfur and beyond.  This lead me to read the Devil Came on Horseback by Brian Streidle, whose brave efforts led to the world even learning that the genocide in Darfur was taking place.  From there I then read Prendergast and Cheadle's second book, The Enough Moment, which outlines the worst human rights crimes in Africa.  

It was while reading The Enough Moment that I had my own personal enough moment.  When I read the chapter about conflict minerals sourced from eastern Congo where the world's largest death toll since WWII had been taking place, and yet not many have even heard of the conflict, that something awakened inside of me.  I was angry.  I was sad.  I was horrified.  I had to Raise My Voice. And Iv'e never stopped since.  

I then read A Thousand Sisters written by a local activist and author in my community, Lisa Shannon.  Like myself, she had a personal stirring inside and Raised Her Voice when she first learned of Conflict Minerals while watching an episode of Oprah. 

In the Fall of 2011 I decided to raise awareness about Conflict Minerals and our connection to them.  These are minerals sourced from Congo which are necessary for our electronic devices to function properly.  The problem is that Congo is the most mineral rich country in the world, and yet the poorest. And this is not an exaggeration.  It's a statistic and a fact.  Militias mine the minerals using local labor which they control through violence and sexual assault. It's a complex situation, which I will not go into here as that is not the focus, but upon learning of the situation in Eastern Congo, I immediately understood my connection.  I use electronic devices, and so I am inadvertently connected to the violence.  I felt with my entire being I had to do something, even if the issues seemed complex and daunting.  Indeed, I take the sentiment following WWII of Never Again to heart.  A death toll in one region of the world due to one conflict cannot ever, and never will, be acceptable. 

I started off Raising my Voice by telling my friends, family and colleagues about Congo. I posted social media.  I ran a solo 54 miles over 6 weeks to raise both awareness and funds to benefit the women of Congo through Women for Women International's Congo program.

This ballooned into planning my own local running charity event for three years and accepting the invitation to become an official volunteer ambassador for Women for Women International.

Equal Exchange team at 2014 charity running event

 
Over the past 4 years I have worked both within my community to raise funds, awareness, and to affect policy with regard to issues on the ground in Eastern Congo.  I reached out to Brian Streidle, Lisa Shannon, and the non-profit founded by John Prendergast, The Enough Project. And, to my initial surprise, I received responses. 

Before I knew it, I was knee deep working to propel forward a movement to help stop the violence in Congo. I  connected with like-minded individuals in my community and we worked together to educate others. 

Like-Minded Individuals at the Portland installation of One Million Bones
at PSU, 2013 (L-R: Clint Baldwin, Anna Canning, Alysha Atma, Me)

I mean how do 5 million people die in one region of the world due to violence fueled through greed over mineral wealth, and very little notice is paid?

What I have learned in the past 4 years is that I was not the only one who Raised My Voice surrounding this issue.  Thousands have worldwide, and it's quite amazing to be a part of a movement which is actually having impact on the ground in Congo.  No one single action was or is the solution, but together all of the actions that have been, and are being taken, by individual citizens, governments, industry, and public figures have and will affect change in Congo.  To be able to work in concert with those who live in Congo to Raise Our Voices is an honor.  

So, I encourage you to Raise Your Voice when you feel that passion well up inside of you.  Believe you me, I prefer a quiet existence, but sometimes you cannot keep quiet when your entire being propels you to Raise Your Voice to shine a light on a subject which deserves discussion, awareness and action.  Further, no action is too small.  There are countless ways to Raise Your Voice, and always hold on to the belief that no action is too small, or insignificant, because the truth is it's our collective Raised Voices which affect change in our world. 

Blog Action Day 2014

Well, here I am sitting before my computer screen on Blog Action Day, the day when bloggers around the world post blogs on one topic, and thereby use their voices to inspire action, thought and a sense of global community. 

This year's topic is inequality.  Honestly, it's sad given our plethora of knowledge and access to it that inequality even still exists.  But it does, and so we must continue to find ways to eliminate inequality, or at least counter-balance it. 

As a volunteer ambassador for Women for Women International, I am keenly aware of how marginalized women are, particularly in more under-developed nations.  This is not to suggest, however, that inequality does not exist in more developed countries such as the United States, because it does. 

So, this leaves one wondering what can be done?  Surely I, as one person cannot change such a large problem?

 And so this is what I have to offer on Blog Action Day: you, yes you, one person with worries and struggles all your own can indeed impact change.  Know this, no small action is too small, nor too grand.  Find nonprofits, or individuals in your community to support with your monetary contribution, or better yet, your time.  And most importantly, look around your immediate surroundings where you have the most impact to make a difference: your work place, community organizations you belong to, school, church, etc.

Margaret Mead said it best, 

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it's the only thing that ever has." 

~Amanda Ulrich
Volunteer Ambassador Women for Women International
Team Congo PDX Founder 

It's Not Goodbye, It's a New Chapter

It's not a secret to anyone close to me that just over 3 years ago a cause captured my heart and quite frankly changed the course of my life in terms of personal growth.

Gwen, Ann and I at my first Group Walk/Run in 2012!

 I've met some great people along my journey, and all of you have touched my heart in a way I cannot ever fully articulate, but I will nonetheless humbly attempt to do so in the words which follow.  

That cause is Run for Congo Women, a grassroots movement started by Portland's own Lisa Shannon several years prior to raise awareness about the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (read more about what inspired me to become involved here). Run for Congo Women eventually became an official project of Women for Women International (WfWI), and so when I came on scene I quickly got in touch with WfWI to coordinate efforts. I was proud to pick up the torch to carry on the good work Lisa started.  And, I did not do so alone.

Equal Exchange Team at our 2014 Group Walk/Run

 In fact, often over the past three years I've wondered who in the heck I think I am that I can possibly take on such a complex and large problem and effectively offer sustainable and real solutions to those who would be impacted most: the women, children and men in Congo. Well, if the past three years have taught me anything, it's that no action is too small, and if we collectively work together we can impact any issue no matter how massive and untouchable it appears. 

With that said, the time has come for me to shift my work for the cause I care so much about, and so on behalf of Team Congo PDX I would like to announce that we will not be hosting a group walk or run in 2015, but will instead organize a local awareness event in late Spring. The success of our group walk/runs over the past 3 years have only been possible with the support of our local runners/walkers, and for that I am forever grateful.  Team Congo PDX will continue to participate in Cause and Event Portland (Save the Date: 10.18.15)!  Stay tuned for details about both events in early 2015.

Let me take a moment to provide some background on Team Congo PDX's journey over the past three years.
As many of you know I founded Team Congo PDX in Fall of 2011 to help raise awareness about the atrocities in eastern Congo, and our inadvertent connection to them as consumers of electronic products.

Keeping track of my 54 miles in 2011

Team Congo PDX is run by me with the volunteer support of local community members, businesses and non-profits.  My efforts via Team Congo PDX have always benefited WfWI's Congo program.  WfWI's Congo program provides Congolese women with the tools and resources to move from crisis and poverty to stability and self-sufficiency, thereby promoting viable civil societies. Women who enroll in WfWI's one-year program learn job skills and receive business training so they can earn a living. They come to understand their rights and how to fight for those rights in their homes, their communities and their nations. They learn how to become leaders.  

I started off with a solo-fundraising campaign in late September 2011 wherein I ran 54 miles over 6 weeks.  With the support of friends, family, community members, local businesses, and Women for Women International Team Congo PDX has hosted a group walk/run on International Women's Day for the past three years (2012-2014).  Team Congo PDX has also participated in Cause and Event Portland for the past two years, bringing the second largest team in 2013!

Our 2014 Cause and Event Team

 In total, through all of these efforts, we have raised nearly $13,000 to benefit women in Congo through Women for Women International.  This is something each and every one of you who have supported my work should be proud of for it is because of YOU that we were able to raise such a substantial amount! 

It has been my honor to serve as Women for Women International's Volunteer Ambassador since 2012, and it is with heartfelt gratitude that I thank each and every one of you for your support over the past three years.  It has been, and will continue to be, my honor to serve not only the women in Congo, but the women who live in all 8 countries WfWI operates (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Iraq, Kosovo, Nigeria, Rwanda, and South Sudan).

Team Congo PDX does have an online fundraising page through WfWI, and so please do not hesitate to organize your own teams at local running events to help raise funds, and feel free to set-up a profile on our page 
(http://wfwicongo.kintera.org/wfwi_pdx), or even set-up your own team using the site. Follow our Facebook page for announcements with regard to our 2015 Cause and Event team and Spring awareness event: https://www.facebook.com/RFCW.PDX).  You can also learn more about WfWI's programs and how to become involved here. 

With much gratitude,
Amanda Ulrich
Team Congo PDX Founder
WfWI Volunteer Ambassador
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A special thank you to the following individuals, organizations, and businesses (in no particular order): Joanna Valdivieso-Gonzales at WfWI, Jennifer Morabito, Ann and Lisa Shannon, Alysha Atma, Richa Sehgal, Kathy Cordell, Jeanne Sprague, Amy Little, everyone at Run Oregon, Laura Thomas, Sean Rivers, Jane and Tim Hartfield of the Great Harvest Bakery in Downtown Portland, Swanson, Thomas,Coon & Newton, Never Again Coalition, Kevin Putnam, Patrick Wahlen, Bonnie Wilson, Annette Vaughn, Maryalicia Verdecchia, Never Again Coalition, Robert Hadley, Equal Exchange Portland Co-op, Anna Canning, Foot Traffic, Starbucks, Auora Chorus, LA Fitness Tanasbourne, ProHealth Chiropractic, Sustainable Harvest Coffee Importers, Gwen Bradlee, Diversitech, Diane Koosed, Becky Bent, Dan Thornton, Kayla Smith, and last but not least my family. 

Sponsorship Journey

I am beyond thrilled that we raised enough funds at my March 8, 2014 charity run/walk to sponsor 14 women through Women for Women International's (WfWI) Congo program.

Our Equal Exchange Team at our 2014 Event

Simply by taking the time to come together, we are now supporting half a class through WfWI, and are able to be a part of a journey taking place half a world away for 14 remarkable women. 

Over three years ago when I first learned about the conflict in Congo, and how my use of electronics products gave me leverage to do something about it, I didn't yet fully understand that I would become a part of something which would actually have impact.

Dedicated Volunteers

 By impact, I mean human-to-human connection with women who live in Eastern Congo.  


And so, it is with a thankful heart that I embark on the sponsorship journey with all of you, my fellow supporters. Over the course of the next year I will send and post monthly snippets about the 14 women we are sponsoring. In order to protect their privacy photos will only be sent via my newsletter, and so should you wish to receive the more detailed newsletter updates, please subscribe via my webpage (click "subscribe" on the bottom right of the page).

You will also have the opportunity to correspond with the sisters.  To send a message of encouragement and support simply email me at: amandapdxrunforcongo@gmail.com.  

I encourage you to take the time to do so as Women for Women International has been told time and time again by their program participants that messages from their sponsors provide hope and encouragement beyond measure, and provide a sense of togetherness during times of loneliness. 

Some of our runners on 3.8.14

Should we receive responses from our sisters (it can take quite some time to receive responses due to the logistics involved on their end living in more rustic places), I will of course pass those along in my blog and monthly newsletter as well. 

Meet 2 of The Sisters
That said, please meet Sisters Maria & Kate.
Maria: is married with 6 children
Kate: is single with 1 child

Their Journey*
*(The following is from an update I received from Women for Women International)

Maria, Kate and our other 12 sisters are now finishing their fourth month of training.

In the last few months, the sisters have been in health and wellness classes.  We (WfWI) believe that women cannot be active members of their communities if they are not well, both physically and emotionally. Over the next several months, our sisters will continue to learn methods of prevention and treatment of key health issues for themselves and her family members.

Health is a human right. Our sisters class will focus on the concept of health as an essential human right. This is a crucial starting point for women who live in areas where poor nutrition and preventable diseases are a part of everyday life. She will learn basic skills, nutritional information, sanitation and disease prevention.

Coping with post-traumatic stress disorder. Many of the women we work with are survivors of great violence, suffering and loss.

In DRC, at least 5.4 million people have died as a result of conflict and its consequences since 1998. With rape used as a weapon of war, an estimated 48 women are raped every hour in the DRC, resulting in about 1.8 million women having been raped.

This may be the first time they are able to discuss and deal with the trauma that they have been living with. Your sister will learn to recognize stress as a normal reaction to the events she has experienced, develop tools for coping with her symptoms, and be given access to resources for additional help if needed.


Protect yourself and your family. Your sisters will learn about communicable diseases, sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS, sexual reproductive health, mental health and environmental health. In addition, they will learn about pregnancy, infant care, family planning and hygiene. When a woman is healthy, she can focus on healing and learning as she moves forward in our program.

**************

Thank you again for your support, and please take the time to send a message of support to Maria and Kate as they go through their journey with Women for Women International.

Amanda Ulrich
Team Congo PDX Founder
Women for Women International Volunteer Ambassador
amandapdxrunforcongo@gmail.com

Team Congo PDX Pairs with The Fitness Studio for @ Cause + Event Portland

This is the official blog post from your Portland, Oregon Volunteer Women for Women International Ambassador, and I am pleased to remind you all that Team Congo PDX will once again be participating at Cause + Event Portland on September 13, 2014 in Bethany Village.

Team Congo PDX from the 2013 Cause + Event Portland

We've teamed up this year with The Fitness Studio.The lovely Annette Vaughn will be working with me to recruit team members, and before the race will lead you all through a pre-race warm-up.

When you join Team Congo PDX at Cause + Event Portland half of your registration fee (Half Marathon, 10K, 5K & free kids fun run), will be a donation to Women for Women International.  Our team is multi-distance as each person will run/walk individually.  The team is about raising awareness & funds for one cause.  You can also join our team & run or walk virtually (meaning you run or walk on your own).  The event will fill, and so you should register in the next few weeks.

Part of this year's 10K course

 Child care is available on race day, and each team member will receive a free Run for Congo Women pedestrian pin to wear on race day so that we can identify each other on the race course! Also, if you don't already have a Run for Congo women t-shirt, contact me and I'll get you one (see below for email).

Registration Link: https://www.raceit.com/Register/?event=25465

*In the "Charity" field select: "Women for Women International" 


*In the "joining a team field" select: "Team Congo PDX"!

Team Fundraising Page: http://bit.ly/1jzKDvd 
*The team member who raises the most funds via this page will receive a prize!

Thank you all for your continued support!  Together we can impact lives half a world away.


Amanda Ulrich
Team Congo PDX Founder
Women for Women International Volunteer Ambassador
amandapdxrunforcongo@gmail.com

Team Congo PDX 2014 Supports 14 Women in the Democratic Republic of Congo

On International Women's Day 2014 (3.8.14), 132 runners and walkers gathered in Downtown Portland to support Women for Women International's program in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).  In all, the event raised more than $5,000 which was enough to sponsor 14 women

Photo taken by Alexa Brandt Photography

in Congo, who have recently been enrolled in Women for Women's one year program.  As a part of the program, sponsors can send letters of encouragement and support to their sisters throughout the year-long program.  

Here is where you come in, Team Congo PDX supporters. Over the course of the next year (May 2014 - May 2015), you will have the opportunity to send letters to our 14 sisters. Please submit your letters, no matter how long or short, as follows:

1) email: amandapdxrunforcongo@gmail.com & title your email: "Letter to WfWI Sister"

2) Or you may submit your letter(s) via our website "Contact Us" page.

We will make sure to send your letters to our sisters, and will share their responses on our Facebook page, and via email. 

Thank you to all who came out to support us this past March. Without your support we would not be able to impact the lives of 14 women in DRC, and we are proud to be able to support these wonderful 14 women! 

In order to protect the identity of our sisters, personal information such as photos, etc. will only be shared with supporters via email.  

Day-of Raffle Items for Team Congo PDX's Group Walk/Run

RAFFLE, RAFFLE, RAFFLE

Each participant who registers for our charity event, which takes place on International Women's Day and benefits Women for Women International's Congo program, will automatically receive 2 raffle tickets so that they can enter to win one of the below day-of-event raffle prizes donated by our generous supporters and sponsors.  Participants may purchase additional raffle tickets for $2.00 each, 3 tickets for $5 or 10 tickets for $10 & all raffle proceeds will be credited to our event online fundraising page: 

Foot Traffic Gift Cards 
(4 available)

Print of Alpine Meadows by local photographer Joshua Johnston

Equal Exchange Congo Coffee
(Congo Coffee Project)

Women for Women International Lunch Tote (2 available)

Women for Women International pen & pen holder set (2 available)

Women for Women umbrella with logo & key chain 

(2 of each available)

Handmade Quilt by local quilter Becky Bent

(Ms. Bent's work will be on display all through May 2014 

at Common Grounds Coffee in Portland, OR)

1 Hour Aromatherapy - Spiritual Healing Session with event sponsor Kevin Putnam

Make sure to check back as we will add items as they are donated. See you on March 8th! 

Team Congo PDX's Group 10K & 5K Walk/Run - 3.8.14 Top Tier Raffle

We are just over a month out to Team Congo PDX's Group 10K & 5K Walk/Run, and we are excited to announce that this year we have 5 awesome incentive items (we have 2 of each item) donated by Women for Women International (WfWI) to offer to 10 supporters to raise $100 or more via our online fundraising page with (WfWI).  All proceeds will benefit their Congo program. We also have 1 special item donated by the local Portland Equal Exchange Co-Op, as well as free entry from Foot Traffic for their all women's training program. 

Here's how it works:

• To enter the raffle, set-up an online fundraising page here: http://wfwicongo.kintera.org/teamcongopdx (if you set-up your own team, please email the event organizer by 3.7.14 with the url to your team page: amandapdxrunforcongo@gmail.com);

• Raise $100 or more by 3.5.14 from family, friends, colleagues (funds raised must be posted to online fundraising page);

• Then, on event day (3.8.14) we will draw 10 winners, and each will win one of the following items donated by Women for Women International: 

Yes, it's that simple! 

Gem Stone bracelets made by Afghan women enrolled in WfWI's program.






If you Knew Me You Would Care by WfWI founder Zainab Salbi.

Run for Congo Women 

Stainless Steel Water Bottle

            Half the Sky DVD 

Bracelet & Necklace made by 

Rwandan Women enrolled in 

WfWI's program:

African Gift Box from Equal Exchange 

(This gift box supports Panzi Hospital in Eastern Congo)

Comp entry to Foot Traffic Women's Academy 

(begins 3.8.14, but okay to miss the first session)

Well, what are you waiting for?  Get out there & fundraise!

Team Congo PDX & Cause + Event Portand

We are now less than a month out to Cause + Event Portland's charity walk/run, and as of today's date, Team Congo PDX has 43 members, which means that simply by joining our team, our members have raised $430 for Women for Women International's Congo program (half of each team member's registration fee is a donation to our cause)! 

Our team is multi-distance: 10K or 5K run or 5K walk. The race starts at 9:00 am (individual event start times TBA).  Our team members need not worry about their individual pace affecting our team, as each team member will run or walk their own race—it’s just about numbers and raising funds & awareness for good causes (over 40 charities, including Women for Women International, will benefit from this event). 

Why Congo?  Over the past 12 years just under 6 million people have died due to violence fueled over who controls the mineral mines in eastern Congo, leaving women & children vulnerable.  There are 4 main minerals which are sourced from eastern Congo which are necessary for our every-day electronics to function properly: cell phones, computers, digital cameras, etc.  It the goal of Team Congo PDX to educate others about the conflict in the region, their inadvertent connection to the conflict, and provide positive & proactive ways to affect change. 

Perks of joining our team?  Each member of Team Congo PDX will receive a free Run for Congo Women t-shirt (if they don't already have one), and will receive an invite to our Facebook group so that we can better coordinate for race day. Also, doesn't everyone want to be in the group photo on race day with our Run for Congo Women banner?

Photo taken by Alexa Brandt of Fatman Productions

Team Congo PDX members will also have an opportunity to win a free entry into our 2014 Group Walk/Run which is held on International Women's Day. The team member who raises the most funds for our cause via our official team fundraising page will win the free entry!

Also, this past June Team Congo PDX entered into a friendly challenge with the Angel's MS Warriors team & whichever team brings the most members will get to select which exercise the losing team has to complete on race day & our friendly challenge has caught the attention of the race organizers & so it should be a fun spectacle in front of everyone! And, the largest team will receive $250 for their charity.  

To date Angel MS Warriors have 70 on their team, but we haven't given up yet!  So, please ask your friends and family to join Team Congo PDX on 11.16.13 to support women in eastern Congo! 

Pertinent links:

Team Congo PDX Facebook Page

Team Congo PDX Website

Team Congo PDX Fundraising Page

Join Team Congo PDX @ Cause + Event

Cause + Event Facebook Page

Cause + Event Website

Support Women for Women International via Foot Traffic Women's Academy!

Attention: Women for Women International supporters! 

Help Women Half a World Away!

Here's your chance to do something good for a fantastic non-profit AND for yourself! Run or walk with hundreds of other women as you train together with Foot Traffic Women's Academy this fall! This all-women's running and walking training program prepares members to complete a 10K (6.2 miles) or a half marathon (13.1 miles). Professional coaching, pace mentors for ALL abilities (many at the beginner level for walkers and runners), weekly group workouts and emails to keep you motivated and on task, guest speakers, technical fabric member shirts, and more await you. Program starts Sept. 14th.

Visit www.foottraffic.us/academy or email laura@foottraffic.us for more information.

PLUS, Foot Traffic will donate $40 of every half program registration and $20 of every 10k program registration to Women for Women International (WfWI)! Simply use code "WfWI" when registering!

LAST, during session I of FTWA (Spring 2013) we raised $60 for WfWI's program in Democratic Republic of Congo via FTWA registrations using our charity code. The $60 was transferred to our online Congo fundraising page last week, which means that the $60 was doubled to $120, because between now and September 30, 2013 all donations are being doubled by one of WfWI's generous group of supporters!

Please spread the word that registration is open for FTWA's Session II (Fall Session): www.foottraffic.us/academy. This go around any funds raised via our charity code ("WfWI") will benefit WfWI's work around the world (8 countries in all).  You can also make a donation directly to our online WfWI fundraising page.

Tabling at Pamper for a Purpose

     On Sunday, July 28th Team Congo PDX was privileged to table at the 3rd annual Pamper for a Purpose, which is a local benefit for Jewish World Watch's (JWW) programs in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).  For $20 you could purchase a service (make-over, acupuncture, hairstylist, massage, etc.), and pamper yourself, but for a purpose! 

Team Congo PDX's table @ Pamper for a Purpose

It was a beautiful sunny day, and afforded the opportunity to meet many inspiring activists, policy makers, & Congolese and Sudanese nationals. 

   

Diana & myself

I started my day by meeting Diana Buckhantz, a JWW Board Member, who had just returned home from a trip to DRC (Read Diana's Huffington Post blog here).  Diana and I spent a bit of time chatting about her recent trip to Congo, JWW's work with Women for Women International. Diana even donated to Team Congo PDX's online fundraising page, and in return I made sure to give her a Run for Congo Women t-shirt!

Rudwan and I

Later in the day I was honored to meet Rudwan Dawod Cis, who one year ago was unjustly detained by the Northern Sudanese Government for advocating for peace in Sudan (you can read more about Rudwan's incredible story here).  Rudwan lives south of Portland with his beautiful wife and daughter, and I was tickled to meet Rudwan, his wife and daughter in person as like so many others across Oregon, and in fact the country, I was able to take part in the campaign to help bring Rudwan home.  Rudwan's story is incredible, and yet he is one of the most humble, compassionate human beings I have ever met.  

     I was able to talk to a around 150 -200 people about my upcoming Run for Congo Women events, and collected $52 in donations which has been applied to our online fundraising page for Women for Women International's DRC program.  All-in-all a wonderfully inspiring day!

Donations!

Final Stats: Team Congo PDX's Group 10K & 5K Walk/Run - 3.9.13

The final stats are now in for my 2nd Annual Team Congo PDX's Group 10K/5K Walk Run, which was held on Saturday, March 9, 2013 to coincide with International Women's Day.


Participants running (sisters Ann & Carrie)
Photo taken by Alexa Brandt of Fatman Productions: http://fatmanproductions.com/

Participants: 148 (10K:66 / 5K:82)

5Kers starting their route
Photo taken by Alexa Brandt of Fatman Productions: http://fatmanproductions.com/

Funds Raised: $4,806

(Team Congo PDX Page, Rock Creek Multi-Cultural Center & Brenna Kutch)

100% of each participant's registration fee was a donation to Women for Women International's DR Congo program, and the amount above is comprised not only of the registration fees collected, but also of the funds collected the day of the event for the purchase of raffle tickets, as well as donations collected in the months and weeks leading up to the event.

The funds raised are enough sponsor 12 women for one year via Women for Women International's DR Congo Program.  These women will be enrolled in a year-long training program which will give them the skills needed to support themselves and their families.  They will also receive trauma counseling, and at the end of the program will be given a micro loan so that they can begin to support themselves using their newly learned skills.

Volunteer Hours: 

88.5 hours / 21 Volunteers

Volunteers Patrick & Scott check-in participants at Foot Traffic
Photo taken by Alexa Brandt of Fatman Productions: http://fatmanproductions.com/

Volunteer hours were donated in order to ensure that the event went as smoothly as possible, and for that I thank all volunteers!  Volunteers set-up the after-event reception areas, set-up the registration area, ran-registration, directed participants out on the route and helped to clean-up afterwards. 

A special thank you to Patrick Whalen, Starbucks Manager extraordinaire, who worked hard to recruit route volunteers via the Starbucks Community Service Site.

A local massage therapist from Raven Healing Therapies donated her services by offering a 15 minute massage for the participants free-of-charge.  Photographer Alexa Brandt of Fatman Productions donated her services by capturing the day in photos.  I thank them both for the generous donation of their talents.

I also thank the following volunteers: Kayla Smith (event co-coordinator), Kevin Putnam (sponsor), Craig Moore, Ann Shannon, Richa Sehgal, Alysha Atma, Allison (Foot Traffic), Dan, Anna & Hannah and Starbucks volunteers: Scott, Monica, Ramona, Susan, Anna, Sharon & Joseph.

SPONSORS: 5

($3,000 value)

I owe a BIG thank you to all of the event sponsors for without their support, my event would not have been the success it was: Swanson, Thomas, Coon & Newton, Foot Traffic, Diversitech, Starbucks & Great Harvest Bakery. 

My sponsors made it possible to advertise the event, print promotional materials, manage off-line registrations, provide the before and after event gathering spaces, and of course yummy treats to enjoy at the after-event reception. 

Most importantly, however, their sponsorship conveys their commitment to the cause, and for that I am grateful.  

RAFFLE PRIZES: 30+

($500 value)

Over 30 raffle prizes were donated to the event by the following supporters:

Thank you!

Community Support: 8 Groups

At the event were the following community groups: Oregon Coalition for Humanity, Portland's Equal Exchange Co-op, Never Again Coalition, Atma Foundation, Arise for Congo, The Embrace Necklace, & One Million Bones, all of whom sent representatives to table at the event in order to share with participants information about their work related to issues in DR Congo, and to provide information about other ways to become involved in the cause.

Also present in order to lend her support was Sarah Adkins from the Oregon Student Nurses' Association.



Participants making bones for One Million Bones
Photo taken by Alexa Brandt of Fatman Productions: http://fatmanproductions.com/

MORE THANK YOUS

Thank you to all of the participants who came out in support of Run for Congo Women. It was an amazing day, which would not have been possible without your support!  I hope to see you all next year (Save the date: 3.8.14).

I would also like to thank Bonnie Wilson from Run Oregon for taking time out of her busy schedule to participate in the event, and then write an event recap for the Run Oregon blog. Thank you Bonnie!

Bonnie Wilson finishing up the 10K
Photo taken by Alexa Brandt of Fatman Productions: http://fatmanproductions.com/

Thank you to Kayla Smith for helping me with the event--you are an amazing friend and co-event organizer!  Thank you to Kevin Putnam for running the show at the after-event reception, and for your continued support of Run for Congo Women.  Thank you also to Laura Thomas, Downtown manager of Foot Traffic, for your guidance and support. Thank you Jeanne Kraje for your support and reassurance.  And last, but far from least, thank you to my family and coworkers who patiently put up with my over-the-top stress level in the weeks and days leading up to the event.  I will not ever forget your reassuring words and support!

Happy 5K finisher
Photo taken by Alexa Brandt of Fatman Productions: http://fatmanproductions.com