Stomping for Solidarity in 2020
Click here or scroll down to see photos from our virtual run!
“Dad, does Rocky [our dog] have a fitbit?”
“No. Humans have fitbits.”
“He has a fitbit in his heart though, right?”
(I began justifying in my head that the dog doesn’t have an actual fitbit, but his heart, in a way, is keeping track of all his steps, so...)
“Uhh...sure!”
My six year old, Blake, is never lacking in questions. And on mile six of a 7+ mile hike, I’ll say whatever I need to keep him moving.
He and I, with my wife, older son, and dog, took part in Neema’s first ever Solidarity Stomp. 7.248 miles - one mile for every thousand between Neema’s home base in West Chester, PA and the Neema School in Kitale, Kenya. Convincing Blake to give up a morning of Xbox and participate in a virtual run/walk/hike of that magnitude in order to “support a good cause” takes more than cognitive reasoning - it takes bribing. And that’s what we did - wear mom’s fitbit (miles 1-7), walk alone with Papa (mile 2 - while social distancing of course), drink gatorade (mile 3), ride your scooter (mile 4), and so on. But guess what? He finished. Six year old Blake joined 100+ other runners, walkers, hikers, and bikers from nine different states and five different countries by standing in solidarity for the students of Neema and raising over $7500!
When other staff members began throwing around the idea of a virtual run, my first question was, “What’s a virtual run?” I had visions of all four family members running together on our one treadmill while staring at an iPad displaying a Tuscan-esque countryside. (Okay, not entirely true, but the thought makes me laugh). Turns out, it’s a run (or walk or hike) done at one’s own pace, in one’s own way, during an allotted time frame. What better way to come together for something we love when we can’t actually come together?
And that’s exactly what we did! All weekend long I watched with delight as people posted pictures and times of their “virtual runs.” Families, friends, dogs - runners, walkers, hikers - from Kenya to the U.S. to Canada and beyond - all “moving together” to support the young women of Neema. Even non-racers participated by donating to the cause. Everyone joined in solidarity for our students and staff in Kenya, and in the end, we met our goal of 100 participants and $7500 raised!
While the Neema students are trying to stay healthy at home, we’re continuing to support them and their families by delivering food and providing counseling by phone. And this past weekend’s Solidarity Stomp goes a long way in making that happen. So THANK YOU to all who participated. Your support keeps us going.
And if you didn’t run this year, but want to run next year, we’ll do it again. And you can be sure Blake will be out there with you.
