Thank you for visiting my Personal Fundraising Page. I am raising money for American Indian Youth as a member of Team Running Strong in the 33rd annual Marine Corps Marathon.  This will be a year of firsts for me: My first year on Team Running Strong; my first Marine Corps Marathon; and my very first marathon ever. However, it won't be my first time supporting a very worthwhile cause while attempting a challenging physical feat.

In 2000, I spent 7 weeks cycling from Bar Harbor, ME to Key West, FL (3,000 miles) with 9 other Five Points of Life team members to raise awareness for the critical need for blood, tisssue, and organ donation in the U.S. I trained long and hard for over 9 months to get ready for the rigors of the road and was proud to have been a part of an amazing, successful campaign that continues to this day.

In 2002, I followed up on my U.S. cycling tour with a 9 day, 700 mile ride across South Africa for the South African National Blood Service, raising awareness about their own desperate need for blood donations and educating people about AIDS.

Since 2000, I have continued cycling and running. Only recently have I taken up races longer than 5K, with my first (and only) Half Marathon completed last November (2:12:43).

This year, I wanted to do something for a cause that has long been very near and dear to my heart. My husband and I are both Marines (he retired after 30 years). My husband, Chuck Charles, is also an American Indian (Chippewa / Brotherton) and his father, Harry Charles, attended Carlisle Indian School with one of the greatest athletes of all time, and American Indian (Sac and Fox), Jim Thorpe. From my associations with my husband and his family I have a very special love for American Indians and deep concern for past and current circumstances. I have long wanted to find some way to raise awareness, and after visiting the Billy Mills website (another great American Indian (Oglala Lakota [Sioux]) athlete, Marine, and Olympic Gold Medalist) and reading about the work he and others were doing, I decided to join Team Running Strong and run the Marine Corps Marathon for American Indian Youth.

I have seen the conditions on the Reservations in this country, and can say as a first-hand witness that this ongoing struggle of the American Indian people needs to be remedied. It is long overdue. No American, much less the original Americans, should be living in some of the conditions that they are still living in. It's time we as a society live up to our obligations and pledges made by our ancestors and do what is right to help these and future generations of American Indians. To see exactly what I'm talking about, please watch the video: 30 Days - Life on An Indian Reservation courtesy of AOL Video and the FX Channel. It is VERY worth your time.

I hope that you will donate whatever you can. Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to make a contribution to our fundraising efforts. However, if you would prefer to write a check or make a cash donation, you can contact Cheryl Charles at Cheryl@ChippewaMarine.com. And you can rest assured that your gift will be used responsibly. Running Strong meets the Better Business Bureau’s standards of charitable accountability. In 2005, over 97% of the budget was spent on programs and services, and less than 3% went towards management, fundraising, and administration.

Many thanks for your time in reading this and for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!

~Cheryl