Sunday, November 20, 2005
The 28-Day Curver for Choice Challenge
Background
I joined my local Curves gym a few weeks ago. I then found about about this whole broo-ha-ha about the money donated by founder Gary Heavin to anti-choice organizations (see "Curvers for Choice" for a full background).
Then I got the idea to do a 28-day challenge, which will both get me to the gym 3 times per week, AND help support the great work done by Planned Parenthood, specifically in Waco Texas, where Mr. Heavin's substantial finances are working against them.
The 28-Day Challenge
Here's the idea - it's quite simple:
- I'll pick a 28-day timeframe for the current round of the challenge
- For every week of the 28-day challenge that I go to the gym 3 or more times, my sponsors will pledge some amount (anything from $1 up)
- I will post weekly updates on my progress - both in terms of gym-going, and in terms of fundraising
- At the end of the 28-day challenge, I will collect the funds, and send them all off to Planned Parenthood of Waco, Texas
Sponsor Me
If you would like to both support me in trying out this new strategy for getting in shape, and you want a unique way to finally make that donation to a worthy cause you've been meaning to do for a while now - then sponsor me!
The process is very simple! There are three things you need to do:
- Email me your sponsorship info to iniren88-cfcc@yahoo.com with the following information: (a) Your name, (b) the amount you'd like to pledge per week (so, for example, if you pledge $5 per week, and if I fulfill my obligation, then at the end of the challenge you'd send me $20)
- Wait for my final update, where I will let you know whether I've met my challenge, and how much you owe
- Mail to me a chek, made out to Planned Parenthood, for the total amount. Make sure to put "Curver for Choice Challenge" in the "memo" field
You can sponsor me for a challenge up until the end date of that challenge - the first one ends on December 24th, but don't wait that long - sponsor me today! Every dollar counts...
Other Ways You Can Help
- Tell your friends about this site, and ask them to sponsor me, even if it's just for a small amount
- Create your own Curver for Choice Challenge!
Why 28 days?
This really has more to do with my own motivation and preferences. 28 days, or one 4-week period, feels like a reasonable time for which to make a commitment. Anything more feels too overwhelming to me right now, and anything less feels just too ineffectual. So - 28 days it is.
Why Planned Parenthood?
Aside from the direct Curves connection, I personally strongly support the availability of accurate and freely-available sex education information to everyone. Much of what is going on today, with blatant misinformation being taught in schools is quite offensive and frightening to me. And, sadly, I am one of those people who keeps meaning to give money to good causes, and just never gets around to it. This seemed like a perfect opportunity.
Can I pay on-line with a credit card?
Not yet. I may look into setting up a Paypal account, or some other way to fund the challenge. But for starters lets just stick to simple 'ol US Mail and checks.
What's next?
My intention is to run a 28-day challenge at least several times a year. My hope is that word will spread, and the donations will flow in. This is a great cause, and a fun way to support it.
