Saving lives by running – Run Forrest Run!

I am running the Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicago marathon.  I can’t hardly believe it.  I have been training for about 2 months now and have 1 month to go.  After many years of pursuing things for my own benefit, I am finding that leaves a guy empty and I am now finding that life is more fulfilling by being a servant to others (who would have guessed!).

It all comes down to this: I am running to feed kids that are literally starving to death.  I have four of my own kids with the 5th on the way.  If I really stop and think about the reality of my kids dieing for lack of food it shakes the very foundation of my heart - I have to do something.  That’s where World Vision comes in…

World Vision works to tackle the root causes of poverty by working with children, families, and their communities to provide things like clean water, health care, nutritious food, education, and economic opportunities.

You can support my efforts through Team World Vision by making a one-time tax-deductible donation through the following URL: http://firstgiving.com/aaronbartell

To make the whole process more entertaining and eventful I am going to be incrementally shaving a portion of my body when different fund-raising levels have been met.  My end goal is to raise $10,000 and the following list is what I will shave at different levels.  Note that each shaving experience will be video recorded and published on my YouTube page.

• $1,000 Shave legs
• $2,000 Shave armpits
• $4,000 Hot wax the small patch of hair in the middle of my chest (oh don’t even pretend it doesn’t exist – it’s there)
• $7,000 Shave my eye brows (the wife says “no” to this one, but I say yes.  She is actively hiding all razors in our house.)
• $10,000 Give a hair buzzer to my 4 year old, Ethan, and let him do WHATEVER he wants to my hair a week before the race.  I have a feeling it will be some sort of a mohawk as that is what he has always wanted.  Hmmm… a curly hair mohawk – should be interesting!  I will sport the hair for the day of the race so everyone there can partake in the splendor :-)