Back in Action for 2010! Join in and Support my ING NYC Marathon Run to Raise Money for the American Red Cross

It’s on! Last year I joined a small group of runners who raised more than $100,000 for the Red Cross by running the 2009 ING NYC Marathon (that’s me on the far right above). As the busiest chapter in the country, the Red Cross in NY needs our help, every little bit you contribute makes a difference. The group is back together again for this year so please support me in my run by making a contribution on my 2010 Donation Page.

Donate Here on my 2010 Donation Page:
http://american.redcross.org/site/TR/NYCMarathon/COGPNYGreaterNewYork-32500?px=5807805&pg=personal&fr_id=1259

On Twitter: I raised $3,400 last year partly through my $5 Red Cross Twitter Challenge (last year this type of thing was still new - not so much anymore). You can help by donating and also by helping spread the word by retweeting and mentioning @nealgorman $5 Red Cross Twitter Challenge. Check back here for results and see me @nealgorman (http://twitter.com/nealgorman) and share some tweets!

Here are a few neat little news articles from last year too!

PRWeek: October 19, 2009
http://www.prweekus.com/fundraising-for-the-red-cross-with-twitter/article/155736/

Oregon Red Cross Blog: May 6, 2010 (an update)
http://redcrosspdx.blogspot.com/2010/05/go-neal.html

Oregon Red Cross Blog: October 30, 2009
http://redcrosspdx.blogspot.com/2009/10/run-neal-run.html

Brooklyn Daily Eagle: October 15, 2009
http://www.brooklyneagle.com/categories/category.php?category_id=8&id=31324

Most importantly, Donate Here on my 2010 Donation Page: http://american.redcross.org/site/TR/NYCMarathon/COGPNYGreaterNewYork-32500?px=5807805&pg=personal&fr_id=1259

or use the Tiny URL at http://tinyurl.com/2wsxk5l

Want to support another runner? Visit the links at www.nyredcross.org for more information.

A Quote in Today's New York Times - Woo Hoo

I was quoted in today's New York Times, nice! They also plugged our new Lutheran HealthCare YouTube video, sweet! The video was quite a project but well worth it.

 

Video here: http://tinyurl.com/27nhfln

 

Times Article here: http://tinyurl.com/2cefpzm

NYC Alumni Volunteers needed at 2010 National Conference on Volunteering and Service

If you are attending the 2010, National Conference on Volunteering and Service in NYC AmeriCorps Alums could use your help. If you are interested in the opportunity noted below, please contact Greg Heinrich at gheinrich@americorpsalums.org.

AmeriCorps Alums and AmeriCorps VISTA will be covering the National Conference on Volunteering and Service (Monday, June 28 - Wednesday, June 30) from an AmeriCorps perspective. Four volunteer reporters per day will be capturing interviews of conference attendees with Flip Video cameras and uploading content to the CNCS and AmeriCorps Alums YouTube channels.

Volunteers Needed: 2 per shift x 2 shifts x 2.5 days = 10 total

Morning Shift: 9:30-12pm
Afternoon Shift: 1:00-4pm (no afternoon shift on Wednesday, June 30)

The reporters will be split into two shifts (morning & afternoon) with two reporters per shift. In each shift, there will be one reporter interviewing attendees specifically about the 45th anniversary of VISTA and the other will ask questions related to AmeriCorps Alums.

Please contact Greg Heinrich at gheinrich@americorpsalums.org.

Join WE SERVE - the first and only campaign to recognize and reward all national service alumni!

Join WE SERVE - the first and only campaign to recognize and reward all national service alumni!
According to the Corporation for National and Community Service, there are over 600,000 national service alumni... and we've only been able to reach about 1/5.

Just fill out the form here: http://www.didyouservewith.us/, even if you are already registered with americorpsalums.org, to join the WE SERVE campaign! (Subject to verification of your service.)

Once verified, you will be emailed a coupon code for 15% off the AmeriCorps Alums store and entered to win one of ten gift cards to Target worth $100 a piece. To be entered into the Grand Prize drawing we need you to tell people! Simply copy/paste the sample email, status or tweets here: http://www.americorpsalums.org/?weserveshare and send to your alum friends! At the conclusion of the contest, the top 25 alum referrals will be put in a drawing for the CELEBRITY GRAND PRIZE!

WE SERVE kicks off now and will end at 5pm EST, June 30th following the close of the National Conference on Volunteering and Service in New York City. You only need to fill out the form once, as duplicate entries will be discarded. Contest rules are here: <http://www.americorpsalums.org/?weserverules

Also, Join us at the Conference in New York City!
On Sunday, June 27th AmeriCorps Alums will host a party at Connolly's Pub at 121 West 45th St. The festivities go from 4-10pm and we'll have some local entertainment, food, drink and giveaways. Get your ticket(s) here: http://www.americorpsalums.org/?prepartynyc

And if you are sticking around the city for the 2010 National Conference Volunteering and Service ( http://www.volunteeringandservice.org/ ) be sure to keep an eye out for alums! You can follow us on twitter @americorpsalums (also watch #ncvs for ALL conference news) to be the first to know about special offers, freebies and events.

Looking to help out? Email wsoenksen@americorpsalums.org... we need registration volunteers, bloggers, picture takers and a couple of locals interested in scouting spots for alums to gather on Monday and Tuesday evening.

Thanks!

AMERICORPS ALUMS LEAD CELEBRATION OF NATIONAL SERVICE

May 8-15, Events and service projects nationwide highlight success of AmeriCorps programs

AmeriCorps alumni across the country are leading the nationwide celebration of AmeriCorps Week, May 8-15, spotlighting the vital work done by AmeriCorps members in communities since the national service program began 16 years ago. Alumni of AmeriCorps are planning events, projects and gatherings to highlight and celebrate the effect that national service has had on their life and the communities in which they live and work.

AmeriCorps Week, celebrated each 2nd week in May, recognizes and celebrates those who have served in, staffed or managed an AmeriCorps program and the organizations and communities who support National Service.

“We are proud to have been a part of AmeriCorps and grateful for all the AmeriCorps alumni who continue to get things done for America,” said Amity Tripp Executive Director of AmeriCorps Alums. “Current AmeriCorps members and alums have made a significant impact on many lives and countless local needs, and AmeriCorps Week is a perfect opportunity to celebrate and recognize their great work.”

There are more than 30,000 active AmeriCorps alumni engaging through more than 100 chapters throughout the nation. Chapters stay active locally by helping students learn to read, mentoring at-risk youth, providing health services, building homes for low-income families, and helping nonprofits recruit volunteers and achieve their mission.

Since 1994, there are more than a half a million AmeriCorps alumni who have given more than 770 million hours of service to their country while in the program.

To mark AmeriCorps Week, over 200 events in all 50 states are scheduled, including an AmeriCorps Rally at City Hall in Philadelphia, an all AmeriCorps Community Clean-Up in Washington, DC, an AmeriCorps Flash Mob in Austin, TX, Community Outreach events in Portland, Maine, and a Humboldt Park Gardening Project in Chicago. Plus there are over 15 AmeriCorps Nights planned at baseball stadiums including the Texas Rangers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Arizona Diamondbacks and Washington Nationals. These events will allow community residents to easily learn and ask questions about AmeriCorps and national service. To search for events in your area go to: www.americorpsweekevents.org.

AmeriCorps alums typically remain actively engaged in their communities once their service is complete. They not only can be counted on as volunteers, but they also run nonprofits, marshal resources within their communities to address difficult issues and frequently pursue public service careers.

2010 American Red Cross Fundraising Breakfast

Benefiting the American Red Cross in Greater New York

Are You In?

Registration - 8:00 am,

Breakfast - 8:30 to 9:30 am

Mandarin Oriental New York

80 Columbus Circle,

60th Street

For more info e-mail me at nrg1998 at hotmail.com

ING NYC Marathon Success - $3,343 Raised for Red Cross!

On November 1st, 2009, I joined more than 40,000 runners from around the world in the 40th running of the ING NYC Marathon. Like them, I trained for months and surprisingly, conquered the distance and self-doubt. Some call it the Mt. Everest of running races, a grueling 26.2-mile race through all five boroughs of New York City. I am not sure I will ever run it again, but I am very glad to have had the privilege, especially knowing that I was running for a good cause too - the American Red Cross.

The race is over but the fundraising goes on and so do all the fires, disasters and emergencies in New York - which is why we ran. Please continue to help if you can. My fundraising page will be active and online through mid December. Every little bit you contribute helps.

Contribute Here:
http://american.redcross.org/goto/ngorman

I didn't break any records but achieved a personal milestone in the race, finishing at 4:53:02. I wanted to give up plenty of times, especially at mile 8 when I was only a few blocks from my apartment (photo above, that's me on the left of the 4:45 pace setter), but I was surrounded by so many inspiring people who helped keep the momentum going.