For This We Give Thanks

We would like to take a moment to thank everyone who contributed to the ROAD TO PARIS MARATHON PROJECT benefitting the ROTARY FOUNDATION POLIOPLUS FOUNDATION. With the help of lots of people, we were able to raise over $5,000 (an accurate count is impossible, unfortuneately, as not all funds came directly through us, but went instead directly to Rotary District 7120 in our name).  These funds, however, were matched in order to help district 7120 reach their goal of raising $100,000 to go towards the $100 million challenge grant by the Gates foundation. So the little sum we worked so hard to raise, when all is said and done, will become $20,000 to help eradicate polio. Awesome.

OUR FOLLWERS ON THE BLOG:

Ed, Keb, Beck, Bep, Kris, Calsma, Jenn, Minken, Bad Hippie, Jennifer S., Mag, Nenetta, Archaobrain, Baby's Mama, Kim, Gapanz, Aloha Rob, Lucky Begonia, QueenB, rUntoNaAste, Rachel, Beemoosie, KIC,  A Girl Running, Justin, Fabia, Derec, Tom C., Roberto S., Em, Bowerm, Cami C.,  Judester, TP, Tamara, LimaRuss, Bonster, the folks at Rotary International in Evanston, and the others who read but don't comment  - we know you are out there- and you are all over the world. Thank you.

TRAINING:

You helped us invent long routes, came with us on bikes or ran with us, took pictures, gave us food, kept us going with your support. Thank you.

Trieste: Marko, Marzio, Trieste Fiamma running team, Luna, Cristian, Bavisela Saturday morning gang.

LeRoy: Heather and Dan (oranges and water), Steven, Jill, Julie, Lauren, Anika, Byron-Bergen-Elba Track team.

Atalanta - you provided us the motivation day-in-and-day-out to keep putting one foot in front of the other. We slayed 'em thanks to you.

NUTRITION: 

You kept the famous "wall" away from us. Thank you!

Christine "Pooky" "Queen B" Turnberg Volinsky

Jelly-Belly Sports Beans

FELLOW BLOGGERS:

Thank you for your advice and support throughout training, the marathon, and beyond. You are our virtual running club. How would we have made it without you?

Michael B.

Ms. Fool

Simon

Minken

A girl running

Bad Hippie

FUNDRAISING:

Thank you everyone!

Rotary Club Monfalcone-Grado, special thanks to Roberto, Lima Rotary Club, LeRoy Rotary Club - special thanks Loren Wetzel, Rochester Rotary Club, Caledonia Rotary Club, District 7120 and Foundation - Governor Michael Leone, Busy Beaver Buttons, Elba Central School Charity Dodgeball Tournament, Cookie-Lee Jewelry, Elks Club of Webster, Lady Elks of Webster, Rotary Exchange Students in Belgium 1990-91.

CONTRIBUTORS: (in no order - and we are sorry if we have left anyone off - truly!!!)

Glen and Mary Adams, Nancy and Bruce Baker, Lynne Belluscio, Larry and Sherye Boylan, Ken and Linda Capwell, David and Marny Cleere, Frand and Martha Davis, Brian and Kris DeWaters, Carol and David Frost, Chris and Tammy Gamble, Bill and Sandi Haggett, Bob and Katrina Hatch, Keb and Steve Mayer, Bill and Sue Remley, John and Cathy Skivington, Janet and Loren Wetzel, Vicki Shrontz, Brian and Kris DeWaters, Don and Bonnie Williams, Mike Cintorino, Heather and Dan Cote, Paul and Betty Lou Tilly, Joe and Sylvia Schepisi, Malchoff family, Preston Pierce, Harry Blaeser, Hant and Nancy Ralston, Tom and MaryLou Coene, Jim and Jane Holden, Mahandra Shah, Mr. and Mrs. William Pethick, Val and Greg Connor, Amy Connor Stivers, Dan and Susan Roczyka, Lisa and Steve Reese, The Teorema gang, esp. Apo, the Sistemisti and the Developers, Catia, Flavia, Grazia, Fabia, Daria, Vico etc  .... and numerous people who donated by purchasing a shirt or by donating anonymously.

PARIS CREW:

Travel and Lodging: Don and Bonnie, Valérie

Logistics: Joshua, Nikolai, Valérie

Pacers: Christine, Giorgia, Marco (and the Beaujolais Wine Cart)

Escorts to start line: Justin and Cristian

Fans: bands along the way, cute Parisian police/firemen

Morale/advice: Minken & Jewelz

Eiffel Tower pique-nique: Meghan, Renee, and Renate

After party: Joshua, Christine

We are grateful to all of you for your love and support. We are thankful for our reunion after 18 years, for the opportunity to give back, for running, and blogging.