Each one of us makes decisions daily on where we will be eating, how much we spend on food, clothing, etc. Some of us are just eeking by on a check to check basis, while others are comfortable and not having to worry about how to make the food and gas stretch to the next check, where they are getting the money for the electric/water/gas/phone bill.
One Marine has already spent nearly $5,000 as he trains for the upcoming Marine Corps Marathon. Crazy you say? Perhaps some might think so. If you look beyond the actual marathon, if you read back on the reason he runs then perhaps you might understand a bit better.
This Marine, MGySgt White, walked out the door one day on his way to a training jump. Little did he dream that just a few hours later, one doctor would tell him he was paralyzed and that was the reason he couldn't feel his wife's hand squeezing his as he lay in the emergency room.
When another Doctor went into the MRI with him, holding his head still for a better image, White demanded that the Doc promise him he would walk again. They were nose to nose in the tube!
“ ‘Promise me I will walk again,’” Rosenbaum said. “It’s a good rule for physicians not to make promises and Jon really caught me off-guard. He got me emotional to the point where I promised him he would.”
At that time, June 23, 2003, this Marine was an active duty Gunnery Sergeant in the Corps.
Lt. Cmdr. Rosenbaum, the GySgt's wife, his family and his fellow Marines all supported him.
3 years, 3 months and 3 days later......he ran his first ever marathon, the 2008 Marine Corps Marathon. I honestly thought the man was crazy when he informed me he was going to run in the 2009 Marine Corps Marathon.
Wasn't it enough that he proved to himself, and many others, that he had overcome that debilitating injury? That he refused to live in a wheelchair?
I never sat down and put two and two together way back in 2008 when we (War On Terror News) first began helping him to fundraise.
That year his expenses were astronomical ( in my opinion)......he flew his wife and his son in from Germany to run in the marathon. His wife refused to let him run without her. His son was his running partner throughout his training, and ran beside him in that marathon. They (his wife and son) landed stateside on Thursday night before the race, I believe, and flew home again that Sunday after having run a marathon. First off, imagine running for 4+ hours, then later that day, stuffing yourself into an airplane seat for another 14+ hours to fly back home.....talk about STIFF!!!!!
When you sign up to run in the Marine Corps Marathon, you also agree to fundraise for the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund (IMSFF). So in addition to his expenses, he needed to raise more funds!
In 2008 Jon's goal was $5,000 for the IMSFF. Let's see, how much do round-trip plane tickets for 3 adults cost between Germany and the states? Shoes, food, hotels, rental car......yeah you get the picture. I think he spent more of his own personal money than he asked for in donations.
In 2009, his goal was slightly lower, it was a tough year for all of us, and he realized that. He made his goal that year also.
In January 2010 Jon decided to try and raise enough to offset the cost of one running leg, called a "cheetah leg" and set his goal at $15,000. Little did he realize, that come this summer, someone close to him would be in need of not one, but two such legs.
I know for a fact because we discussed it, I have seen the individual breakdown of the expenses, that so far this year his expenses are running nearly $5,000. The marathon is on October 31, 2010.
I mention his expenses, because Jon will continue to run, even though he doesn't receive any reimbursement (he is looking for a sponsor for 2011) for his expenses. When Jon was injured back in 2003, the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund didn't exist.
I will tell you this about the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund, it is one of the best small charities you will find! Don't take my word for it check them out here and see why they received an A+ rating. They are down under the category of Veterans & Military - alphabetical listing puts them near the bottom of the page.
Jon is only asking because he "knows" how vital support is when you are injured. Don't be thinking that the military won't take care of its wounded, because they do. They do an extremely good job of it. However, there are always going to be gaps that aren't covered, filled in and these gaps are what the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund helps to take care of.
Specially modified vehicles, travel costs, food, lodging, specialized equipment and more. These are the kinds of things that Jons' fundraising is being used for.
The Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund spent on average a whopping $94 out of every $100 raised to help the injured and their families.
"The Semper Fi Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit set up to provide immediate financial support for injured members of U.S. Armed Forces and their families. We direct urgently needed resources to Marines and Sailors, as well as members of the Army, Air Force or Coast Guard who serve in support of Marine forces."
Check out their financials.
My question to you is this.....
I know you CAN but more importantly WILL you help Jon reach his goal this year? Simply put, Jon asks
"No more than you can afford and no less than you desire. Every dollar counts, so if you can only afford a few dollars, we are grateful. If you or your business can afford hundreds or thousands, that will get us all to the goal quicker."
In 2008, NAPA Auto Parts came across one of my articles and contacted Jon. If you can only help by spreading the word about his fundraiser, PLEASE do so! If you can afford $10 or $20 we thank you!!
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