Thank you for visiting my page.

I'm running in the Chicago Marathon to raise money for World Vision.  This year, some of the money raised will go to enhance sanitation and build wells in Zambia.

The idea here is, obviously, for you to donate money to World Vision because I'm running a marathon.  I've always been kind of puzzled by this arrangement - it's not like I'm going to run to Africa to bring your money there! 

But as long as you're still reading, let me tell you why you should want to donate to World Vision, even if no one ever runs another marathon:

World Vision gets over 85% of its donated funds to programs that help children and families.

They are honest, and don't try to hide the money they spend on fundraising (as discussed in this MSN article).

World Vision is rated well by online charity-rating services, including The Better Business Bureau, The American Institute of Philanthropy, and Charity Navigator.  Even more difficult to please than these sites, Steve (my husband, who has many years of experience with non-profits), feels that World Vision is a worthwhile charity with sound financial practices.

World Vision works with entire communities to fight sources of poverty.  This includes doing such basic things as making sure that there is clean drinking water available near the community, and more complex things such as vocational training and agricultural assistance.

So, the two buttons below are labeled "Sponsor me now" and "Sponsor a child".  If you "sponsor me", even though it sounds the same, no, I won't get money to help advance my education - I've had enough of that!  You'll give a one-time donation to World Vision.  If you "Sponsor a Child" you'll be volunteering to donate $35 per month to a child and his or her community.   (I'll still get credit towards my fundraising target, though.)

Thanks for visiting!

Anne

P.S. If you do decide to donate, please leave me your email address so I can thank you and let you know how our fundraising efforts are going!  - A

Thank you for cash donations and child sponsorships received from:

Charles and Gloria Schulze - child sponsorship

Hank's Service