Palos Expo Raffle Winners Are…

Yesterday was the Palos Area Chamber Expo and Health Fair and packet pick up for almost 2000 runners of the First Midwest Bank Southwest Half Marathon and we had a table there to raise awareness for Neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder that affects over 2 million people.

Let me start with a brief history. I decided to run the Chicago Marathon again this October and I wanted to run for a charity, because I realized that through my running I could make a difference in the lives of others. It really puts a purpose to my running. I chose Neurofibromatosis for two reasons. 1.) I know someone who has had Neurofibromatosis since birth and 2.) Neurofibromatosis is a charity that is not well known. It does not have a big name spokesperson or a big budget. I then decided to go far beyond the extra mile to raise awareness for Neurofibromatosis; in fact, I am running an additional 157.2 miles to raise awareness for Neurofibromatosis. I am running 12 half marathons, in 12 states in 2012, or as I like to call it 2012Run12.

Now if we were just standing at a table at the Palos Area Chamber Expo and Health Fair passersby might not even stop. So I called on a few friends and strangers and got some really great donations. First came the raffle prizes:

Running for Kicks – Palos Heights, IL

$50 Gift Certificate

New Day Spa Salon – Oak Lawn, IL

Gift Certificate for a Sports Massage with Liz

Coach Kennihan Personal Trainer & Run Coach

30 min. Run Specific Strength Training Session

The executive planning committee (meaning my wife) decided we still needed more to get strangers to listen for a brief moment. So she called a friend at the Walmart in Hodgkins, Illinois and got some candy. Then my wife contacted someone who works for Gordon Flesch Co, one of the largest independent providers of office equipment solutions and they donated handouts to put into the runners packets. This would give the First Midwest Bank Southwest Half Marathon runners a chance to make donations online and still be entered into the drawing. We did our best to make our table stand out in the room. I could go on and on about our attempts to sell a $1 raffle ticket to attendees at the Palos Area Chamber Expo and Health Fair and offering them a chance to win a great prize and to benefit a charity. It’s actually shocking to think that with almost 2,000 runners of the First Midwest Bank Southwest Half Marathon and only 80 people cared enough to contribute.

So to all of you, who purchased a raffle ticket, from the bottom of our hearts thank you. All proceeds from the raffle go to Neurofibromatosis Midwest. Neurofibromatosis Midwest offers support to families who are affected by Neurofibromatosis.

So here are the winning tickets.

Click to Enlarge Tickets 857148, 857058, 857059

Palos Area Chamber Expo and Health Fair

Stop by and see us at the Palos Area Chamber Expo and Health Fair on Saturday, May 5, 2012!  This free community event will be held at the Moraine Valley Church at 6300 West 127^th Street in Palos Heights, IL.  Hours for the fair are from 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.  The Palos Area Chamber Expo and Health Fair will feature fitness experts, injury prevention advice, health screenings and more.  Kids are welcome to come and enjoy the magician that will be wandering thru the fair.  The fair is open to the public and is the packet pickup for runners of the First Midwest Bank Southwest Half Marathon.  We will be there raising awareness for Neurofibromatosis.  Look for us; we will be at table 48.  We will also be collection donations for Neurofibromatosis and all monetary donations received before midnight on May 5^th, 2012 will be entered into a drawing to win one of three great prizes!  They are:

Running for Kicks – Palos Heights, IL

$50 Gift Certificate

New Day Spa Salon – Oak Lawn, IL

Gift Certificate for a Sports Massage

Coach Kennihan Personal Trainer & Run Coach

30 min. Run Specific Strength Training Session

 On Sunday, May 6^th, I will be running the First Midwest Bank Southwest Half Marathon as part of my 2012Run12 campaign to raise awareness for Neurofibromatosis.  It is my 5^th half marathon this year! I feel fortunate that I can run and there are many people in this world that are unable to run because of physical limitations like Neurofibromatosis.  I used to be unaware of the genetic disorder until about a year ago.  I found out that a former student of mine has had Neurofibromatosis since birth.  He has overcome many of life’s challenges that are often taken for granted.  He is my inspiration.

All donations collected at the Palos Area Chamber Expo and Health Fair and thru www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/michaelblaha/nf-midwest-run4nf will benefit Neurofibromatosis Midwest, a 501 (c)3 non-profit, which supports families affected by Neurofibromatosis.  Donations are tax deductable to the amount allowable by law. 

The Palos Area Chamber Expo and Health Fair is going to be a great event.  We are looking forward to seeing you there!

I would like to thank Neurofibromatosis Midwest for their constant support and guidance, Running for Kicks, New Day Spa Salon and Coach Kennihan for their generous donations and John and his family for inspiring me.