Turning 50

 

My mom always made sure that birthdays were special.  Balloons, wearing hats, singing and getting to choose what type of cake you wanted, were all key components of our birthday celebrations. My favorite birthday cake wasn’t a cake at all, it was a banana cream pie from Poppin Fresh.  

But, for the first time in 50 years, I won’t get to hear my Mom sing Happy Birthday and tell me about the day I was born.  I won’t have the opportunity to share what I picked out for dinner, what my birthday “cake” will be, and what hat I’ll be wearing at the table.   All of the traditions will continue, but there will be a void in the day.  

To honor my mother, I chose to support Feeding America because she cared about hunger.  Volunteering at the Northfield Food Shelf was something we did together when I was growing up and supporting our local food shelf is something that I and my parents have continued throughout our lives.  

Her presence is going to be missed today, but I know she will be with me on my 50th birthday and on my #50for50 run in 4 weeks.  As an athlete and runner, she would have loved me supporting this adventure, but I know her “soul left this world to meander with the bear spirits” and somehow those spirits will be with me on my 50K trail run through the woods of Murphy-Hanrehan Park.

Did you know that your $50 donation to Feeding America provides 500 meals!!!  Please join me in supporting this great charity by giving at https://teamfeed.feedingamerica.org/participant/Chris-George-50for50

- Chris

Links to support my #50for50 challenge.:

Kyle Rudolph's End Zone: https://crowdfund.umn.edu/campaign/Chris-George-50for50

Feeding America: https://teamfeed.feedingamerica.org/participant/Chris-George-50for50

LifeSource: https://www.life-source.org/giving/make-a-gift/ 

Capstrong: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=V75CZQQVP44Z6
Make-A-Wish: http://site.wish.org/goto/ChrisGeorge50for50

Dancing Under the Stars

 

It was a clear, starry night atop the Disney Dream cruise ship.  Dressed like pirates, with fireworks exploding above us, Mason and I danced to Dynamite by Taio Cruz.  A smile as wide as the ocean crossed my face.  Mason didn't have a worry in the world at that moment.   He wasn't in pain, sick, or worried about the next doctor's appointment.   He was DANCING and loving every minute of our time aboard our Disney cruise made possible by Make-A-Wish Minnesota.  

Just a few months after Mason's liver transplant, Make-A-Wish granted his Wish for a once in a lifetime cruise and the magical Disney experience that we love.   We were able to relax, eat, swim, and dance!  We were able to swim with Dolphins, have a private meeting with Mickey, and enjoy a day at Castaway Cay.  

Make-A-Wish MN is one of my #50for50 charities because of the amazing opportunities they give to kids dealing with medical issues.  They funded our trip and just a year later, they made Cap's trip to Hawaii possible.  Please consider donating to my Make-A-Wish fundraiser to support more opportunities for kids to dance without worrying about their illness.  

Mason's Home Run

 

Mason was the inspiration for me to start running!  So it was easy to include LifeSource​ as one of the #50for50 organizations I wanted to support. Read about Mason's Home Run and consider supporting others in need of an organ transplant at LifeSource (include “Chris George 50 for 50” in the ‘What Inspired You’ section).  

Read about Mason's Home Run 

PS: Everyone can be an organ donor and it's easy to register.

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Giving is easy!  Just click on one of the links below to make a gift in honor of 

“Chris George’s 50 for 50 Challenge”.

• Capstrong (Paypal site, include “Chris George 50 for 50” in the notes section)

• LifeSource (include “Chris George 50 for 50” in the ‘What Inspired You’ section)

• Make-A-Wish Minnesota

• Kyle Rudolph’s End Zone Programming (University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital)

• Feeding America

THANK YOU!! 

A huge thanks to all who have already donated to my #50for50 challenge.  In 10 days, the 5 charities have received nearly $5,000 (100 gifts of $50).  

I'm completely overwhelmed by your generosity and support.   The gifts were a great motivation on my 15 mile training run through Lebanon Hills last Saturday.  Its only six weeks until I Surf the Murph and am looking to receive

400 more gifts of $50 to achieve the goal of raising $25,000.  

Giving is easy!  Just click on one of the links below to make a gift in honor of 

“Chris George’s 50 for 50 Challenge”.

• Capstrong (Paypal site, include “Chris George 50 for 50” in the notes section)

• LifeSource (include “Chris George 50 for 50” in the ‘What Inspired You’ section)

• Make-A-Wish Minnesota

• Kyle Rudolph’s End Zone Programming (University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital)

• Feeding America

Each week, starting this Sunday, I'm going to highlight one of organizations I'm running to support. I'll share personal stories on why I've chosen to support them and the impact your gift will make.  

Enjoy your weekend!!!  

#capstrong #50for50

@lifesourcemndak @makeawishmn  @MHFChildrens @FeedingAmerica 

@surfthemurph 

 ,

#50for50

Hello family, friends, and colleagues!!

In just a few weeks, I’ll be celebrating my 50th birthday! Over the past year and a half, I’ve put a lot of thought into how to celebrate this milestone.  Over the past few years, so much has changed in my life:  my amazing nephew, Cap George, and my mother, Katie (Tete) George, both became angels after battling cancer; my son, Mason received the gift of life and a Wish; and we have all been living through the pandemic. One constant during this time has been running.  

On Memorial Day, fifteen years ago, I watched the Bolder Boulder 10K from my couch with Mason on my lap and made a commitment to change my lifestyle to be healthier.  I made a commitment to run the Bolder Boulder and did my first mile “run” - which consisted of jogging a block and walking a block.  I think I finished a mile in a blistering 13 minutes.  🤪, but the next year I ran my first 10K, the Bolder Boulder, and haven’t looked back.  Since that first run I’ve completed numerous 5Ks, 10Ks, 10Ms, a handful of half-marathons, and the DisneyWorld marathon.  During the pandemic, I’ve averaged 50 miles of running a month and am ready to do something special to celebrate my 50th birthday.   

I’m going to run my first ultramarathon, a 50K on October 23, 2021 and am hoping to also complete the January 2023 RunDisney Dopey Challenge.  The Dopey Challenge consists of running 50 miles over 4 days:  a 5K, 10K, Half-Marathon, and Marathon. But I’m not done... 

...and here is where you come in.  I want to raise $25,000 for 5 charities ($5,000 each) that are near and dear to me. 

The charities that I’m supporting are:

• Capstrong

• LifeSource

• Make-A-Wish Minnesota

• Kyle Rudolph’s End Zone (Univ. of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital)

• Feeding America

I see $25,000 as a BHAG (Big, Hairy, Audacious Goal), but when you break it down, it is only 500 gifts of $50 to celebrate my 50 for 50 challenge.  Together I believe that it can be done.  

To kick things off, I’ve made a gift of $100 to each of the five charities, so I’m looking to my family, friends, and colleagues for an additional 490 gifts of $50.  Will you join me on my 50 for 50 challenge and make a $50 gift to one of the charities? If you are inspired and walk to make more than one gift, please do so!!! 😁   I’ll do all the running and keep you in the loop on my progress to raise $25,000 over the next year.  

Giving is easy!  Just click on one of the links below to make a gift in honor of 

“Chris George’s 50 for 50 Challenge”.

• Capstrong (Paypal site, include “Chris George 50 for 50” in the notes section)

• LifeSource (include “Chris George 50 for 50” in the ‘What Inspired You’ section)

• Make-A-Wish Minnesota

• Kyle Rudolph’s End Zone Programming (University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital)

• Feeding America

If you are still not sure about giving, be on the lookout for additional posts/emails as I’m going to share the story on why each of these charities are important to me.  I hope that my stories will resonate and inspire you to give in support of my 50 for 50 challenge.  

Thank you!! Chris