Let's GIVE BIG on the Big Day of Giving!

I am honored to say that I am a member of Runnin’ for Rhett (R4R), a local non-profit in the Sacramento area.  Runnin’ for Rhett is focused on the vision to give every child the chance to live a healthy life.   Runnin’ for Rhett’s  mission is to inspire and enable our youth to Move Into Life through an after-school youth fitness program.  The youth fitness program trains and educates students on the value, benefits, and fun associated with adopting a healthy lifestyle. 

Runnin’ for Rhett also has an adult fitness program know as the Blue Crew.   This supportive community exercise group meets regularly to participate in a variety of workout activities, social events, and hosts a 9-week training program twice a year. Through the training program, adult members meet to run/walk targeted local races like the Shamrock’n and/or Urban Cow 5K or Half Marathon.  Often times, this training program enables a person to run their very first race or to try a distance that they would have never done on their own.  

Our adult members also help to fund our Youth Fitness Program through a monthly giving fee, and give so much of their valuable time to our organization because they are passionate about helping kids create a healthy future for themselves and their families.  They volunteer numerous hours of their time at our fundraisers, leading workout events, and acting as coaches or assistant coaches at our local schools teaching kids about exercise, nutrition, and hydration.  

I learned about Runnin’ for Rhett years ago because I would always see runners wearing blue with Runnin' for Rhett at the start line of many races around Sacramento.  In 2020, after I finished chemotherapy from a Leukemia diagnosis in 2019, I joined Runnin' for Rhett for a few months and met some amazing people.  Although I didn't remain a member, at the time, I knew who Runnin' for Rhett was and what the organization was all about. 

Thankfully, for me, Runnin' for Rhett had a job opening for their Director of Development position in January 2023.  I found out about the job from one of the current staff at Runnin' for Rhett when I posted on Facebook that I was looking for a job in the non-profit sector, which has been and is my true passion.  I had met that staff person in 2020. Anyway, I jumped on the opportunity to interview and I was offered the job.  Boy did I and do I feel grateful and blessed!

This organization truly changes lives, young and old alike, and I hope that you will consider donating to an amazing organization that makes a difference in someone's life every single day!  My personal goal is to raise $2,500 for the Big Day Of Giving, which will go directly to R4R in support of its Youth Fitness Program.  I am fundraising from Wednesday, April 20th – Thursday, May 4th, the Big Day of Giving.    

Now, more than ever, it is important that we give our community’s children the opportunity to be connected and stay fit.  During this season of our Youth Fitness Program, we will see over 3,000 students complete their training and cross the finish line of the Run Because You Can 5K on 4/30/23.  Twice each year Runnin’ for Rhett works with both boys and girls, and we fully fund the largest after-school youth fitness program in Northern California.

Each participating school takes part in a six week, twice-a-week after school training program that includes a coach, a program shirt, program “swag,” and a timed entry into our 5K race.  Upon completion of their race, the students are awarded with a special finisher’s medal.  During their training, our coaches and staff educate the youth on the value, benefits, and fun associated with adopting a healthy lifestyle, and we invite you to take part in their success.

Research has shown there is a direct correlation between the degree of fitness a child has and their cognitive ability and academic success.  At Runnin’ for Rhett we believe by introducing a child to fitness and educating them on nutrition and how to make healthy choices, we are setting them up for success in the classroom and in life.

Our goal is to LET RHETT’S STORY INSPIRE those who feel defeated, UPLIFT those who feel down and ENCOURAGE ALL TO take that first step and MOVE INTO LIFE.  The funds you offer as support will help us continue to grow and fund more children in our Youth Fitness Program.

I thank you in advance for supporting this incredible need. I’ll keep you posted on how my fundraising campaign goes.  For now, I am grateful for your friendship and support.

Love, Lindsay DaRosa

www.runninforrhett.org