Hello, and welcome to my fundraising page! I am running the Chicago Marathon on October 9 for RISE International, an extremely important and inspiring not for profit organization. RISE builds schools and trains teachers in war-torn rural Angola, where there is a need and hunger for education that we can't even begin to fathom here in America.

A 27-year-long civil war devastated every aspect of Angolan society, including its education infrastructure, leaving thousands of children without schools. Quality schooling is essential for future generations of Angolans to bring the country from its bloody past into a prosperous future. RISE is faithfully working towards the goal of an Angola in which every child has access to education. RISE only began building schools in 2003, and has already built over 100 schools since then!

I ran the Chicago Half-Marathon for RISE last year and it was a great experience. With the help of generous people like you, we raised $1,300 to help RISE build schools for Angolan children. Seeing as I'm running twice as far this year, I think we should be able to raise at least a few hundred more dollars, too!

Along with the dozens of other Chicagoans running in the marathon and half-marathons, team RISE has a goal of raising $200,000 this year to build 3 schools in Angola. That means an education for thousands of children for generations to come, and you can help make it happen! Just click on the "Sponsor Me Now" button at the top of this page, and donate any amount you can afford. Please consider donating $50, $100, $150, or whatever you are able. Any amount would be appreciated! Be sure to forward the link along to anyone you think would be interested in supporting me in this journey.