Please help provide humanitarian relief to orphaned children living in Armenia!

Thank you for visiting my Personal Fundraising Page for the Society for Orphaned Armenian Relief (SOAR), Inc.!

Those of you who know me, may know that I am training to run in ING'S Miami Half Marathon on January 31st, 2010.

A few weeks ago, while in my pilates class staring at the ceiling and trying to concentrate on my breathing, I was instead sidetracked by my aching calf muscles from the previous day's run.  I thought, if I am going to run 13.1 miles and stick to this awful training program (and for me it is truly awful), something seriously good better come of it.  Yes, of course, there is improved health and a sense of accomplishment which is nothing to scoff at, but it isn't enough.  It was during that class that I decided to give my Half Marathon race a greater purpose.

Some of you may remember when between my freshman and sophomore years at Union College, I spent the summer volunteering at an orphanage in Yeghegnadzor, Armenia.  Although I left kicking and screaming, I came back profoundly affected.  I always vowed to do more.  Although, to this day, 13 years later, ashamedly, I have not...until now.

I have chosen to run for the Society for Orphaned Armenian Relief (SOAR), Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing humanitarian relief to orphaned children living in Armenia.  Working with a loyal donor base and a trusted network of partners in Armenia, SOAR distributes much needed food, clothing, medicine, educational supplies, and other essential resources to orphanages throughout Armenia.  I encourage you to visit SOAR's website for detailed information on the orphanages, quality control, political climate in Armenia, stories from adoptive parents, etc.  And don't forget to visit their mouth-watering Armenian recipes link!

Thirteen years ago I handed out some chewing gum for treats.  Hours later the gum was long gone, but the shiny silver foil wrapper had morphed into a toy for a day.  I brought dozens of bathing suits thinking the children would need new ones, instead the bathing suits became everyday-wear considered too precious to wear in the water.  They lay in neatly folded piles alongside the river during swim time; needless to say the colorful and touching memory will forever be emblazoned in my mind.  What were banal items to us were like golden treasure coins to the children.  Everything and anything makes a difference. 

Please consider making a tax-deductible donation through this site.  It is simple, fast and totally secure.  It is also the most efficient way to make a contribution to my fundraising efforts.

And yes, your contribution will also inspire me to run with a just a little extra skip in my step!

Please email me at jenterzian@aol.com if you have any questions or if you prefer to send me donation directly!  Many thanks for your support - and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!

Thank you,
Jennifer

P.S.
Remember, it's not the dollar amount that matters, it's the gesture and loving support!