Dashing Dad fundraising for Running with the Bears

When my mom remarried, she and my step dad couldn't have kids, so they turned to foster care and adoption.  We had several foster babies go through our home, and I was sad everytime they had to leave. Eventually we got to keep one, and I had a baby sister. 

Another sister of mine began taking in foster kids who had been abused.  She eventually took in 5 kids from all walks of life and adopted them.  They span the gambit of color, but don't try to tell them they aren't family. 

These kids wouldn't have stood a chance in life if somebody hadn't reached out and cared for them.  This is why I am raising money (and running 26.2 miles) for Running with the Bears and Mountain Circle Family Services, Inc.  You can read their story below and where they money will go.  Thanks.

Running with the Bears is specifically a fundraiser for our 'PowderQuest Program," an outdoor leadership adventure for older foster teens and their mentors. This trip provides opportunities to build self-confidence, self-reflection, and leadership skills- beyond the front door and into the real world. Up to 30 older foster youth are invited to attend each year, and alongside their adult mentors, every participant learns important values in becoming healthy adults such as trust, integrity and self-confidence. A small investment in these teens provides a trip they’ll never forget. For foster youth who are facing unparalleled challenges and disadvantages, the PowderQuest Program provides a lifeline to a healthy form of play and entertainment while deepening their connection with their adult mentor. This year, we welcomed 25 youth, half of whom had done the trip with us the year before. Several of these mentors are now grown up, with their own children, and therefore in a unique position to provide guideance and support. Please watch the video above to the learn the impact of the PowderQuest Program.

Each trip we provide costs over $11,000, not including staff time, and our goal is to offer at least two trips per year. Additional funds raised by Running with the Bears support other Mountain Circle program's- including ensuring that foster children have new school clothes, Christmas gifts, access to children's counseling, the provision of additional medical costs, and the training of foster parents.

 

• $20 Provides a gift certificate to a foster family in order to take their children to ice cream or the movies
• $40 Helps a foster parent pay for a Saturday of family fun- museums, mini-golf, and other activities to help children feel 'normal'
• $50 Pays the fees for a child to participate in extracurricular activities (cleats, uniforms, registration fees)
• $100 A new carseat for a foster family caring for a baby
• $200 Provides an older youth with an outdoor leadership adventure weekend through the PowderQuest Program