Greg Kalkwarf Is Dopey
Not a surprise to anyone who anyone who knows me, but I am a bit dopey. How many people do you who know run up and down a mountain to complete a marathon, walk 2 miles dressed in a penguin costume for a parade, or fly last-minute to watch their favorite team compete in the playoffs for the first time in 29 years?
I am adding to that list in early January by participating in the Disneyworld Dopey Challenge - a 5k, a 10k, a half marathon, and a full marathon on four consecutive days ... that's 48.6 miles! (oh, and I plan to spend each day at a Disneyworld park with my family)
I am excited for the challenge and have decided to add a fundraising component to the mix ... and for some motivation.
With your help, we can raise nearly $5,000 to help individuals who need assistance. Listed below are 48 not-for-profit organizations - would you be willing to "adopt" one of the charities with a $100 donation? I have intentionally picked organizations that provide services to individuals who have physical or mental challenges, give people an outlet from their troubles, or help people who are in difficult situations and need help (and with many of these, I know people at the organization and/or have personally contributed my time and money).
If we can get all 48 organizations adopted, we will have raised $4,800 ... and provided me with TONS inspiration to complete the 48.6 mile Challenge.
Check out this link for an interview I did with Fox 31 Good Day Colorado:
http://kdvr.com/2016/12/20/local-man-running-for-48-charities/
In return for your contribution, I will list the organization and your name on the shirt in which I will run the Disneyworld Marathon (the final leg of the Dopey Challenge), as well on this website. I understand that $100 can be a sizeable amount, so you are welcome to split the contribution with other individuals (like a family member or co-workers) - just be aware that I may need to abbreviate your names to fit them on the shirt. So, your listed name could like "The Johnson Family," "Employees of ABC Company" or "JSmith and TDoe." (or something like that)
Before you make your contribution, please check with me to confirm that your preferred organization is still available for "adoption." (Look for a "Contact Form" at the very bottom of this long page) After I confirmed the availability, I then ask that when you make the donation, you please do so in honor of "#GregKalkwarfIsDopey" - just a fun way to promote my participation in the Dopey Challenge. And, feel free to Tweet or post on Facebook about your donation - 'tis the season to be kind, so spreading word about these organizations may spark more kindness!
* For the organizations designated with a *, please contribute to your local chapter of that charity
Organization - Description - Website - Dopey Challenge Sponsor
* ALS Association - Dedicated solely to the fight against Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Lou Gehrigs Disease. http://www.alsa.org/ adopted by Travis Hudson
* Alzheimer's Association - Supports Alzheimer's research and care. http://www.alz.org/ adopted by Elizabeth Jumel / Jumel Public Relations
* American Council of the Blind of Colorado dba A3 - Strives to increase the independence, security and quality of life, for all blind and visually-impaired people. www.a3colorado.org adopted by Barbara Boyer
* American Red Cross - Responds to an emergency every 8 minutes. http://www.redcross.org/ adopted by Dennis Schouten
American Transplant Foundation - Strives to eliminate our country’s shortage of human transplant organs. http://www.americantransplantfoundation.org/ adopted by Ann King White
Arising Hope - Provides a safe place of love, healing and empowerment to victims of domestic violence. http://arisinghope.org/ adopted by Marla and Steve Webb
* Big Brothers Big Sisters - Mentoring organization in the United States, volunteers provide support and advice to youth. http://www.bbbs.org/ adopted by Steve Toomey
Bright by Three - Provides parents, soon-to-be parents, and caregivers with educational tools. http://brightbythree.org/ adopted by Marla and Steve Webb
Children's Hospital Colorado - Non-profit hospital for children. https://www.childrenscolorado.org/ adopted by Ann King White
ChildSafe Colorado - A comprehensive, community-based approach to the problem of child sexual abuse. http://childsafecolorado.org/ adopted by Duane Hopkins
Colorado Coalition for the Homeless - Works collaboratively toward the prevention of homelessness. http://www.coloradocoalition.org/ Doubly adopted by Reed Smith, CoBiz Insurance, and Rob MaCoy
Colorado Uplift - Building long-term, life-changing relationships with urban youth. https://www.coloradouplift.org/ adopted by Kate Carr
Denver Children's Home - Kids who have survived trauma, neglect and abuse confront serious mental health challenges. http://www.denverchildrenshome.org/ adopted by Jerry Laflen
Denver Police Activities League - Filling playgrounds, not prisons - sports for at-risk kids. http://www.denverpal.com/ adopted by Greiner Electric
Denver Rescue Mission - Provides food, shelter, clothing, education and Christian teaching. https://www.denverrescuemission.org/ adopted by Jeff Johnson
Family Tree - Provides a broad range of services and shelter to families and youth of metro Denver. https://www.thefamilytree.org/ adopted by John Dowling
Florence Crittenton Services - A single point of entry to accessing a wide range of educational and human services all year long. https://www.flocritco.org/ adopted by John Markovich
Free the Girls - Provides reintegration services for survivors of sex trafficking in developing countries. http://freethegirls.org/ adopted by Jennifer Finke
Great Plains Diabetes - Offers a wide range of services for health and wellbeing. http://www.greatplainsdiabetes.com/ adopted by The Packer Family
Judi's House - Bereavement support groups for grieving children and teens. http://www.judishouse.org/ adopted by Marla and Steve Webb
* Make-a-Wish Foundation - Grants the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses. http://wish.org/ adopted by Dr. Gary Pascoe
* March of Dimes - Funds lifesaving research and programs and works to end premature birth, birth defects and infant mortality. http://www.marchofdimes.org/ adopted by Stephanie Cox
Mental Health Center of Denver - Enriching lives and minds by focusing on strengths and well-being. https://mhcd.org adopted by Liz and Michael Tanji
Mercy Housing - Provides affordable housing & supportive services for low income families, seniors & people w/ special needs. https://www.mercyhousing.org/ adopted by Tad Goodenbour
* National Multiple Sclerosis Society - Supports scientific research and promotionf of education regarding MS. http://www.nationalmssociety.org/ adopted by Michele Warren
* National Parkinson Foundation - Makes life better for people with Parkinson's through expert care and research. http://www.parkinson.org/ adopted by Believe in Better; In Memory of Lavern Reetz
National Sports Center for the Disabled - Provides therapeutic recreation, competition and adaptive sports for children and adults with disabilities. http://nscd.org/ adopted by Michelle Friends
Open World Learning - Creating possibilities (for kids) through technology. http://www.openworldlearning.org/ adopted by Tony Giordano
Parent Possible - Equips parents with the tools and information to be their child's most valuable teacher, trainer, and mentor in life. http://www.cpcfonline.org/ adopted by Tara Rojas
Phoenix Multisport - Fosters a supportive, physically active community for individuals who are recovering from a substance use. https://phoenixmultisport.org/ adopted by Marla and Steve Webb
Project Angel Heart - Delivers nutritious meals to improve quality of life, at no cost, for those coping with life-threatening illnesses. https://www.projectangelheart.org/ adopted by Dan May
Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children - Committed to improving the overall health of children. https://rmchildren.org/ adopted by Ann King White
* Ronald McDonald House Charities - Provides comfort and care to children and their families. http://www.rmhc.org/ adopted by Vince Barry
Rowan Tree Foundation - Helps parents cope with the death of a child. http://www.rowantreefoundation.org/ adopted by Ron Fano
Stephen Siller Tunnel 2 Towers Foundation - Honors & supports our first responders and most catastrophically injured service members. http://tunnel2towers.org/ adopted by The Upton's
Team Jack Foundation - Pediatric brain cancer research. http://www.teamjackfoundation.org/ adopted by The Boekholder Family
Teammates - Provide the support and encouragement youth need to graduate from high school. http://teammates.org/ co-adopted by Richard Kalisek; Rhonda Plantenga
Tennyson Center for Children - Providing residential and therapeutic services for abused and neglected children. http://www.tennysoncenter.org/ adopted by Bud Hollenkamp
The Action Center - Provides basic human needs and pathways to self-sufficiency.
http://theactioncenterco.org/ adopted in honor of Larrell Bradley
The Difference Maker Movement - No matter your age or income, you can make a difference to someone. http://www.iamthedifferencemaker.org/ adopted by Heidi Hostetter
The Kyrie Foundation - Pediatric brain cancer research. http://kyriefoundation.org/ adopted anonymously For Brecken
The Resource Exchange - Builds independence for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. http://www.tre.org/ adopted by the TRE Board & Staff
The Someday Foundation - Strives to assist with the "every day" things for those facing life-threatening issues. http://www.thesomedayfoundation.org/ adopted by Travis Webb
Underwearness - Provides new underwear to children in need. http://www.underwearness.org/ adopted by Donna Driscoll
Veteran's Passport to Hope - Raises awareness within the Colorado area about the issues military veterans face. http://www.veteranspassport2hope.org/ adopted by Jimmy Golden
Warren Village - Exists so low income, single parent families can achieve sustainable personal and economic self-sufficiency. https://warrenvillage.org/ adopted by Barbara Walker
Wichita Children's Home - Offers emergency, temporary residential shelter for children. https://wch.org/ adopted by Marla and Steve Webb
* YMCA - Makes sure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. http://www.ymca.net/ adopted by Joe Nelson
I am adding to that list in early January by participating in the Disneyworld Dopey Challenge - a 5k, a 10k, a half marathon, and a full marathon on four consecutive days ... that's 48.6 miles! (oh, and I plan to spend each day at a Disneyworld park with my family)
I am excited for the challenge and have decided to add a fundraising component to the mix ... and for some motivation.
With your help, we can raise nearly $5,000 to help individuals who need assistance. Listed below are 48 not-for-profit organizations - would you be willing to "adopt" one of the charities with a $100 donation? I have intentionally picked organizations that provide services to individuals who have physical or mental challenges, give people an outlet from their troubles, or help people who are in difficult situations and need help (and with many of these, I know people at the organization and/or have personally contributed my time and money).
If we can get all 48 organizations adopted, we will have raised $4,800 ... and provided me with TONS inspiration to complete the 48.6 mile Challenge.
Check out this link for an interview I did with Fox 31 Good Day Colorado:
http://kdvr.com/2016/12/20/local-man-running-for-48-charities/
In return for your contribution, I will list the organization and your name on the shirt in which I will run the Disneyworld Marathon (the final leg of the Dopey Challenge), as well on this website. I understand that $100 can be a sizeable amount, so you are welcome to split the contribution with other individuals (like a family member or co-workers) - just be aware that I may need to abbreviate your names to fit them on the shirt. So, your listed name could like "The Johnson Family," "Employees of ABC Company" or "JSmith and TDoe." (or something like that)
Before you make your contribution, please check with me to confirm that your preferred organization is still available for "adoption." (Look for a "Contact Form" at the very bottom of this long page) After I confirmed the availability, I then ask that when you make the donation, you please do so in honor of "#GregKalkwarfIsDopey" - just a fun way to promote my participation in the Dopey Challenge. And, feel free to Tweet or post on Facebook about your donation - 'tis the season to be kind, so spreading word about these organizations may spark more kindness!
* For the organizations designated with a *, please contribute to your local chapter of that charity
Organization - Description - Website - Dopey Challenge Sponsor
* ALS Association - Dedicated solely to the fight against Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Lou Gehrigs Disease. http://www.alsa.org/ adopted by Travis Hudson
* Alzheimer's Association - Supports Alzheimer's research and care. http://www.alz.org/ adopted by Elizabeth Jumel / Jumel Public Relations
* American Council of the Blind of Colorado dba A3 - Strives to increase the independence, security and quality of life, for all blind and visually-impaired people. www.a3colorado.org adopted by Barbara Boyer
* American Red Cross - Responds to an emergency every 8 minutes. http://www.redcross.org/ adopted by Dennis Schouten
American Transplant Foundation - Strives to eliminate our country’s shortage of human transplant organs. http://www.americantransplantfoundation.org/ adopted by Ann King White
Arising Hope - Provides a safe place of love, healing and empowerment to victims of domestic violence. http://arisinghope.org/ adopted by Marla and Steve Webb
* Big Brothers Big Sisters - Mentoring organization in the United States, volunteers provide support and advice to youth. http://www.bbbs.org/ adopted by Steve Toomey
Bright by Three - Provides parents, soon-to-be parents, and caregivers with educational tools. http://brightbythree.org/ adopted by Marla and Steve Webb
Children's Hospital Colorado - Non-profit hospital for children. https://www.childrenscolorado.org/ adopted by Ann King White
ChildSafe Colorado - A comprehensive, community-based approach to the problem of child sexual abuse. http://childsafecolorado.org/ adopted by Duane Hopkins
Colorado Coalition for the Homeless - Works collaboratively toward the prevention of homelessness. http://www.coloradocoalition.org/ Doubly adopted by Reed Smith, CoBiz Insurance, and Rob MaCoy
Colorado Uplift - Building long-term, life-changing relationships with urban youth. https://www.coloradouplift.org/ adopted by Kate Carr
Denver Children's Home - Kids who have survived trauma, neglect and abuse confront serious mental health challenges. http://www.denverchildrenshome.org/ adopted by Jerry Laflen
Denver Police Activities League - Filling playgrounds, not prisons - sports for at-risk kids. http://www.denverpal.com/ adopted by Greiner Electric
Denver Rescue Mission - Provides food, shelter, clothing, education and Christian teaching. https://www.denverrescuemission.org/ adopted by Jeff Johnson
Family Tree - Provides a broad range of services and shelter to families and youth of metro Denver. https://www.thefamilytree.org/ adopted by John Dowling
Florence Crittenton Services - A single point of entry to accessing a wide range of educational and human services all year long. https://www.flocritco.org/ adopted by John Markovich
Free the Girls - Provides reintegration services for survivors of sex trafficking in developing countries. http://freethegirls.org/ adopted by Jennifer Finke
Great Plains Diabetes - Offers a wide range of services for health and wellbeing. http://www.greatplainsdiabetes.com/ adopted by The Packer Family
Judi's House - Bereavement support groups for grieving children and teens. http://www.judishouse.org/ adopted by Marla and Steve Webb
* Make-a-Wish Foundation - Grants the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses. http://wish.org/ adopted by Dr. Gary Pascoe
* March of Dimes - Funds lifesaving research and programs and works to end premature birth, birth defects and infant mortality. http://www.marchofdimes.org/ adopted by Stephanie Cox
Mental Health Center of Denver - Enriching lives and minds by focusing on strengths and well-being. https://mhcd.org adopted by Liz and Michael Tanji
Mercy Housing - Provides affordable housing & supportive services for low income families, seniors & people w/ special needs. https://www.mercyhousing.org/ adopted by Tad Goodenbour
* National Multiple Sclerosis Society - Supports scientific research and promotionf of education regarding MS. http://www.nationalmssociety.org/ adopted by Michele Warren
* National Parkinson Foundation - Makes life better for people with Parkinson's through expert care and research. http://www.parkinson.org/ adopted by Believe in Better; In Memory of Lavern Reetz
National Sports Center for the Disabled - Provides therapeutic recreation, competition and adaptive sports for children and adults with disabilities. http://nscd.org/ adopted by Michelle Friends
Open World Learning - Creating possibilities (for kids) through technology. http://www.openworldlearning.org/ adopted by Tony Giordano
Parent Possible - Equips parents with the tools and information to be their child's most valuable teacher, trainer, and mentor in life. http://www.cpcfonline.org/ adopted by Tara Rojas
Phoenix Multisport - Fosters a supportive, physically active community for individuals who are recovering from a substance use. https://phoenixmultisport.org/ adopted by Marla and Steve Webb
Project Angel Heart - Delivers nutritious meals to improve quality of life, at no cost, for those coping with life-threatening illnesses. https://www.projectangelheart.org/ adopted by Dan May
Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children - Committed to improving the overall health of children. https://rmchildren.org/ adopted by Ann King White
* Ronald McDonald House Charities - Provides comfort and care to children and their families. http://www.rmhc.org/ adopted by Vince Barry
Rowan Tree Foundation - Helps parents cope with the death of a child. http://www.rowantreefoundation.org/ adopted by Ron Fano
Stephen Siller Tunnel 2 Towers Foundation - Honors & supports our first responders and most catastrophically injured service members. http://tunnel2towers.org/ adopted by The Upton's
Team Jack Foundation - Pediatric brain cancer research. http://www.teamjackfoundation.org/ adopted by The Boekholder Family
Teammates - Provide the support and encouragement youth need to graduate from high school. http://teammates.org/ co-adopted by Richard Kalisek; Rhonda Plantenga
Tennyson Center for Children - Providing residential and therapeutic services for abused and neglected children. http://www.tennysoncenter.org/ adopted by Bud Hollenkamp
The Action Center - Provides basic human needs and pathways to self-sufficiency.
http://theactioncenterco.org/ adopted in honor of Larrell Bradley
The Difference Maker Movement - No matter your age or income, you can make a difference to someone. http://www.iamthedifferencemaker.org/ adopted by Heidi Hostetter
The Kyrie Foundation - Pediatric brain cancer research. http://kyriefoundation.org/ adopted anonymously For Brecken
The Resource Exchange - Builds independence for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. http://www.tre.org/ adopted by the TRE Board & Staff
The Someday Foundation - Strives to assist with the "every day" things for those facing life-threatening issues. http://www.thesomedayfoundation.org/ adopted by Travis Webb
Underwearness - Provides new underwear to children in need. http://www.underwearness.org/ adopted by Donna Driscoll
Veteran's Passport to Hope - Raises awareness within the Colorado area about the issues military veterans face. http://www.veteranspassport2hope.org/ adopted by Jimmy Golden
Warren Village - Exists so low income, single parent families can achieve sustainable personal and economic self-sufficiency. https://warrenvillage.org/ adopted by Barbara Walker
Wichita Children's Home - Offers emergency, temporary residential shelter for children. https://wch.org/ adopted by Marla and Steve Webb
* YMCA - Makes sure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. http://www.ymca.net/ adopted by Joe Nelson