Adrian’s Birthday Challenge

As of press time, we’ve currently raised $566.24 (thanks mom for adding the $0.24!).

Wow. Three weeks have flown by since launching Adrian’s Birthday Challenge and it’s already been a fulfilling experience. My training is on track, I think…and the fundraising is picking up.

Considering the retracting economy, it’s overwhelming, inspiring, and humbling to see others chip in and donate $24. Most of the donations have come from family and friends, but several donors are people who don’t even know me.

More so, friends, family, and strangers have taken the fundraising upon themselves!

For some, giving hasn’t been enough. They’ve helped spread the word about the Challenge and fundraiser by sending personal emails to their networks, posting it to their facebook profiles, and even mentioning it in a blog post (thanks again, Sam!). Those who are not in a position to donate have done the same. Equally inspiring, others have even stepped up by offering something unique to them - burning CDs, compiling Chinese phrases, offering to bake cupcakes, and even be a human megaphone (God knows I’ll need one). At this point, I think the entire day is covered.

I’m not selling it short, but…

In all honesty, I don’t foresee hitting the $2,400 goal with 10 days to go. One of the few things I despise - I mean despise - is asking for money. It’s never been easy. And to ask people to offer their hard-earned money to a cause they may or may not truly care about has been even harder. But the goal was to challenge myself - and fundraising has certainly done that. When I set the goal of $2,400, I attempted to balance ambition and reality. When I converted it to 100 people giving $24 it became much more realistic. As the donations continue to roll in, I’m becoming more excited about the possibility of getting close.

As a result, I’m learning that sometimes it’s not hitting the goal that counts. Goals should not be an absolute - that is, “if we don’t hit point A, then we fail.” Instead, we succeed in so many ways by simply endeavoring to reach that goal.

Not to worry though- I won’t let you (or myself) down on challenge day.