This morning, my mom and I volunteered for AIDS Project LA in support of their runners who raised (I found out this morning) $500,000 dollars during this year’s marathon. Because they changed the route to cut clear across LA, they got to set up a major event and PowerAde/water station. We started at 6:30AM making balloon towers, setting up tables and stations, then pouring 12,000 cups of beverages for the runners. Half of the volunteers didn’t even show up, but something wonderful happened. People walking down Santa Monica Blvd stopped and asked if they could help. Some stayed 30 minutes, one guy and his dog stayed a few hours. He didn’t even talk to anyone; he just saw what we were doing and jumped in. They pretty much doubled the volunteer sign up as the morning progressed. It was amazing!
During the race, I noticed that there were a HUGE amount of kids running. You can see them in the pic above, they're all in bright green tank tops. Most of the kids were in Junior High or High School, though I saw some that may have been as young as 5. The really small kids were running with their families but most were running with Students Run LA, an organization that trains at-risk (read: HOOD) kids from LA Unified to run after school and on weekends. The program was started by a teacher in East LA. 90% of their kids finish all 26.2 miles. I suggest you check them out. Donate, volunteer, do something! These kids are changing their lives and their outlook by facing a challenge most of us could never do and we, as a community should support them!
Also participating today was Felipe Antonio from Homeboy Industries. People in LA know that they’ve been one of the biggest programs to ever make a dent in the gang culture of LA thanks to Father Greg Boyle. When my mom was working with Great Beginnings for Black Babies, they were a new organization that everyone was really excited about. Look at them now! They’ve got programs for jobs, legal assistance, mental health counseling, tattoo removal (for gang ID tats), the list is endless.
Peep this story about Felipe Antonio, who was the Homeboy of the Year for 2009 and announced at the ceremony that he was training for the Marathon. He ran right by me today with his 5 homeboys who were taking turns assisting him the 26.2 miles to Santa Monica.
For all the fake, attention seeking, shallow craziness there is in this City, it felt amazing to spend the morning with people who worked for something bigger than fame, better than money. People that make a real impact and a real difference. I plan to go back next year, and find other ways to volunteer in 2010. I hope some of you do the same!
*PLEASE CHECK OUT THE ORGANIZATIONS MENTIONED IN THIS POST TO FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN HELP!*
i want to help next year!
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