Memorial for Meri: Move & Make a Difference

First Annual Memorial for Meri: Movement Challenge and Make a Difference Day -- Saturday, June 6, 2020

In honor of my mother, Meri Apfel, I invite you to join me on June 6, 2020 (her birthday) for a First Annual Memorial for Meri: Movement Challenge and Make a Difference Day.

For those of you who knew my mom, you know that she was a mover and a shaker. From as far back as I can remember, my mom dedicated her time and talent to making a difference in the lives of others.  It started with her time on the PTA and the school board, where she spearheaded the construction of the first-ever tire playground at our elementary school and created a teen center program for our middle school, and created so many other programs and projects for our community. She instilled in us at a young age the importance of giving back to others and caring for our community. She then devoted years to the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, where she put together some of the most impressive auctions I have ever seen, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars so that critically ill children could spend a summer being kids. And while giving tirelessly to these causes, she always had time for her family, driving us wherever we needed to be, cheering at our games, celebrating our victories, and always making us laugh and feel loved.

She continued to give back throughout her life, working with Make a Wish Foundation to visit wish kids, working at People for the American Way, volunteering for a local theater group, and most recently, working for a local camp for ill children.  She gave so much to so many.

To honor her generosity of spirit, her playfulness, and her ability to make things happen, please join me in celebrating her incredibly moving life by participating in the first annual Memorial for Meri: Movement Challenge and Make a Difference Day on Saturday June 6, 2020.

While in ordinary times I would have tried to organize a Fun Run in her memory, these are far from ordinary times. So instead I invite each of you to find some kind of movement to do wherever you are, with whomever you are with, for at least 30 minutes. Run, walk, bike, dance, do whatever makes you happy!!  Get up, get moving, get shaking, make something happen -- have fun, smile, and laugh!! Feel free to send or post pics of your chosen movement!

No fee to participate! Join if you can.  If you feel so moved and would like to, please consider making a contribution to RunningBrooke.

RunningBrooke is a nonprofit in Alexandria, Virginia, whose Board of Directors I have been on for a number of years. The organization focuses on sparking a movement revolution in classrooms and schools, integrating creative and sustainable movement practices and programs in schools to help enhance academic performance. To learn more, visit runningbrooke.org.

To donate to RunningBrooke, please click the donation button above. Thanks to a generous donation from the UPS Store of Old Town Alexandria, all donations will be matched, dollar-for-dollar, up to $500.

Thank you for joining in this memorial and celebration!