And So It Begins....

Yesterday, I signed up for the 2009 LOST 118-Mile Endurance Run at Lake Okeechobee, Florida. I have been running for about a decade now, and I'm looking for my next challenge. I have done the marathons, the ultras, the tri's, so I knew that the one of the only things left for me was to go to the triple-digits. I will be commissioning into the Army in May 2009, and don't know what I'll be doing once that happens. So, the stars seemed to be aligned for me to do this now.

Simultaneously, I have always wanted to raise money and awareness for charities in my races. I have wanted people to use my ability to run to help others. I did this in 2006 when I raised more than $2,000 for The Jimmy Fund while I did the Lake Placid Ironman Triathlon. I'm not a doctor, so I can't cure illness, and the billions of dollars I will eventually make are not here yet, so I can't build a hospital all by myself. But I figure that any money I can raise will be money that might not have been given otherwise.

Last December, the Washington Post published an article citing a new study by the American Institute of Philanthropy, which rated various Veteran's charities for their efficient use of donations and how much actually goes to the veterans themselves (Read the report here).
AIP's report gave the Fisher House Foundation an "A+" for its ability to turn over donations straight to the actual charity itself, while minimizing the use of funds for administrative expenses. Overall, for every dollar donated, 97.5 cents goes directly to the construction of new centers, with only 2.5 cents going to "overhead costs."

I chose the Fisher House Foundation not only because of how efficient they are, but also because of what they do. The Fisher House Foundation builds "comfort homes" at military compounds and near major VA medical centers. These homes are for military families and members whose loved ones are hospitalized for surgery, illness, or other medical procedures. This is especially necessary in times of military involvement and economic turmoil that exist today. Families should have concern for their loved one's health, not where they will stay at night, or whether or not they can afford it for an extended period of time.

The Fisher House Foundation's sister charity, the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, was also one of the few charities given an "A+" by AIP. Initially, from 2000-2005 IFHF provided direct benefits to the family members of fallen US Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, and Marines who made the ultimate sacrifice overseas. They provided a large financial benefit to the spouse, children, and parents in an effort to provide some economic relief to them up until a 2005 law improved the financial benefits and allowed IFHF to refocus its energies.

Since 2005, IFHF and the Fisher House have worked together, most recently completing the "Center for the Intrepid" near Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas in 2007. The $40 million "world class, state-of-the-art center" serves veterans who have been disabled in operations and performance of duty (view the center here). Future donations will help to continue to construct and improve centers like these around the country for our nation's heroes.

I have set a $5,000 goal for raising funds to be split between the two charities. If I hit this mark, however, I am going to consistently 'raise the bar' to try to gain more and more. Please visit my other website, http://www.active.com/donate/teamfisherhouse/BrandonCariusIsLOST, to donate, and feel free to e-mail me with any questions about my sanity.