Team Jade's run in the 2010 Twin Cities and Kansas City Marathons

When young people with disabilities have access to all the nurturing and supportive resources they need to develop their potential, they flourish! Imagine the following:

• a child with autism or cerebral palsy, who moves and talks more easily than she ever could after therapeutic horseback riding
• a boy with an emotional/behavioral disorder who improves his social skills so much at a special preschool that he can attend regular kindergarten, and make friends with his classmates
• a young patient at a children's hospital whose parents are able to stay with her in a comfortable, cheerful room with many of the comforts of home
• a boy whose sister has a mental illness, and he receives support and understanding in a group with other siblings of children with mental illness
• a teen with very difficult personal and family circumstances who is able to attend college, due to a special scholarship

These are a few actual examples of how Jade grants have helped MN's young people with special needs since 1999...and there are many, many more! As a volunteer for the Jade Foundation, one of my jobs has been to follow up with organizations that receive our grants, to learn how the funds have helped their clients. Staff from these nonprofits have shared so many beautiful, heartwarming reports about the tremendous difference our grants have made in the lives of these young people!

THIS is what has motivated me and my spouse to run the Twin Cities Marathon to raise money for the Jade Foundation for the past 2 years: knowing that we, and our friends and family, are helping to make it possible for the Foundation to continue its work. And in 2010, we've decided to extend our fundraising over TWO October marathons, adding Kansas City's to our usual Twin Cities run! We would be so honored to have you sponsor us for one of these runs...your donation WILL make a big difference in the lives of Minnesota's special young people!