Track Friday is a community-driven initiative to raise awareness and funds for causes supporting others in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

Hurricane Sandy brought an unprecedented amount of damage to the Jersey Shore, Long Island, and the greater NYC area. Local and National charities have responded with relief efforts, but these charities need our help!

Earlier this week, I issued a challenge to my friends and family to help support charities in our community. If they could raise $5,000 for local charities by Thanksgiving, I would run a full marathon on the High School Track in our hometown of Middletown, NJ, the next day, November 23rd. That's 105.5 laps, for those counting...

As a result of the overwhelming positive response to not only support but actively participate, Track Friday was born! What started as a silly bet to encourage some donations to local charities is now becoming a movement across multiple communities in NJ, NY and beyond!

Track Friday is a grassroots way to mobilize people to support their communities. By simply making a commitment to support a relief-related charity and to hit a local track or jogging path on Black Friday, 11/23, each participant becomes a "personal fundraiser" for a good cause, and serves as an example to others of the true spirit that should characterize the day after Thanksgiving.

Being a part of Track Friday is simple; you can contribute to this effort in a number of ways, from anywhere!

• Join The Movement! - Select "Join this team" from the team homepage, above. Create an account and choose a cause to support. Then find a local track and create your own event (like I did) and raise money for your cause. Anything you raise for your cause goes towards the team total, and there's no commitment to raise a minimum or to run/walk any further than you are comfortable with.
• Donate to a team member! - If you cannot participate in an event, then make a donation to any one of the team members. Check out the individual pages to see which organization the participant is supporting, learn about their personal event, and find out where you can drop off contributions when applicable.
• Contribute other stuff! - Many participants, including myself, will create toy/food drops at the locations where they run their laps. Check out the individual participant pages to get more information.

As more participants get involved, I will do my best to list "OK" locations where you might find other participants. It is important that we do not add any burdens to our municipalities and services that are trying to coordinate direct relief efforts, and that we do not intrude on locations that do not have public access to their running tracks. CHECK FIRST!

Please contact Eric at ericr262@gmail.com with any questions!