Kids and Charity

It was terrific to see Karen Pearl this morning. She was in Central Park presiding over more than 6,000 runners who got up early (and in the cold!) to run for her great current cause: those with HIV/AIDS, cancer, and other serious illnesses. Most of you will remember Karen from her days as national President of Planned Parenthood. These days she oversees God’s Love We Deliver, a charity that provides food to some of the most needy residents in New York.

My kids ran in the junior races - which started with 2-year-old’s running 50 meters. The pre-teen categories (a half-mile race) included both impressive track stars and amateurs engaging in their first organized race (that’s where my kids fit in). The event was classic Karen Pearl: organized, upbeat, feel-good, touching.

I was surprised by the reaction of both my kids and their friends. They all were 100% engaged, even when they were swiftly outrun. They immediately began planning to form a team next year - and asked if we could make this an annual tradition. Given that they had competed in yoga gear and street clothes, they asked if next year we could even prepare by practicing on the weekends and saving up for sweatpants and running shoes. And, of course, by fundraising.

I share this because I take my kids to lots of fundraisers and political events - but this was the first time they walked away so motivated. So any of you with kids, of any age, are invited to join our team next year. With Karen at the helm you can feel great about how your donations are spent, and its an ideal lead-in to Thanksgiving week. As much as I respect the adult runners, my speed is to fundraise for the kiddo team, hold all the coats and hot chocolate, and cheer them on.

Congratulations Karen on an inspiring and successful event!