Thank you for visiting my fundraising page!

My name is Michael Strong, and I am currently an MPH student at Tufts University School of Medicine.  I am running in the Boston Marathon as a charity runner for an organization called Good Sports.  I have decided to run for Good Sports because of the strong influence sports has played in my life.  For additional information about Good Sports, please read the mission statement to the left as well as visiting their website at http://www.goodsports.org/.

There are several reasons as to why I want to run a marathon, especially the Boston Marathon.  My main reason for running in the Boston Marathon is my desire to overcome challenges.  In addition, I wanted to run as a charity runner for the Boston Marathon because of the great opportunity for me to foster a connection with the Boston community and provide a sense of purpose for me to run in a marathon.   My commitment to Good Sports and the children that it serves provides a reminder for me to overcome any challenges and complete the Boston Marathon.

In searching for a charity organization to represent, I sought out an organization that I believe have similar attributes and goals as me.  As an Eagle Scout and athlete, I have always been involved with my community.  Volunteering has become a part of who I am.  I remember one particular volunteering experience in which Kalamazoo College hosted a sports day for the children at Woodward Elementary.  Woodward Elementary is a local public school that does not have adequate funding for many extracurricular activities.   This sports day was especially fulfilling seeing the smiles on the children’s faces as they were given the opportunity to participate in sports.  The day was filled with friendly games of various sports, from basketball to volleyball.  In addition, numerous collegiate student-athletes and I played alongside the children and encouraged them to do their best.  The student-athletes and I acted as mentors and role models for the children.  Because of our efforts, I believe the children gained more than exercise and having fun that day.  I believe they learned valuable lessons about teamwork, discipline, and having a positive attitude in any situation.

Good Sports will enable me to continue my volunteering experiences and provide similar worthwhile experiences through sports that I had the privilege to engage in as a child.  I believe that Good Sports echoes this vision in their mission statement, and I believe that with your contributions we can all make a difference in a child’s life.

I realize the economy is currently in turmoil.  However, even a small donation will help tremendously.  Your donation will help Good Sports continue their mission, help me fulfill my fundraising goal, and ultimately, bring a positive influence on disadvantaged children living in low socioeconomic neighborhoods around Boston.  The positive impact sports can provide to these children is a goal all of us can accomplish.   

In order to have a better sense of whom I am and why sports is important to me.  I have included the following sections.

I graduated from Kalamazoo College cum laude with honors in Health Sciences.  During my time at Kalamazoo College, I was actively involved with a number of organizations.  One of the organizations that I was a part of was Kalamazoo College’s football program. 

One thing that I am passionate about is football.  The principals and practices of playing football have given me a purpose, sense of commitment, and determination.  Participating in a team sport is the ultimate testament of one's physical and mental abilities, pushing one to do what has been deemed impossible.  Waking at 5:00am for a physical workout, taking classes throughout the day, practicing in the afternoon, and finally, watching films and finishing class assignments only to repeat this process the next morning is daunting!  However, I played football, despite having sustained multiple injuries over the years because of the indescribable feeling of pride and camaraderie associated with team sports.  Being a student athlete has taught me the determination needed to succeed, the value of teamwork, the importance of time management, and the leadership skills needed to inspire others. 

Sports have always been a part of my life.  They have defined who I am today.  I am privileged to have had the opportunity to participate in sports throughout my life.  I realize, however, that many young children in our society are not given the opportunity to participate in sporting activities.  In addition, I understand the growing concern for childhood obesity as it affects numerous children and families everyday.  I appreciate how an organization, such as Good Sports, can provide an innovate approach for addressing both the childhood obesity epidemic as well as the decreasing participation in sports among children.  I consider this organization to have a great purpose for a great cause, since the organization helps children participate in sporting activities, a matter I am very passionate towards. 

Together, your contribution and my dedication to Good Sports will help numerous children in Boston and surrounding communities engage in sporting activities.  It is an honor to represent Good Sports as a charity runner in the Boston Marathon.

Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support my fundraising efforts.

If you would like any additional information about Good Sports or me, please contact me at Michael.Strong@tufts.edu.

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