Impromptu Opportunity!

I have been "cold-calling" local organizations that i though M4M would be a great fit for. This past week, i called Misericoridia. "Misericordia is proud to support 550 children and adults with mild to profound developmental disabilities from all racial, religious and socio-economic backgrounds. Misericordia has a wide range of programs on our campus and in the community at-large to meet the diverse needs of persons with developmental disabilities."

They called me the following day and said they were hosting a swim meet and didn't really have any recognition items to give out after the race. Last year, they went to the dollar store (due to budget) and got little paper medals. I was so excited and went down the following day and delivered medals to them. The director informed me that all of the participates in the swim meet were wheelchair bound. Even the paper medals they got last year, they wore for weeks as trophies are too hard to transport with. She was so excited and thought they would be wearing our M4M medals for months.

I felt like this was a great organization to team up with b/c individuals with mental health issues are so many times overlooked and made fun of without people realizing it. The "R" word is used too easily in our society and that word hurts. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with Misericorida and look forward to teaming up with them during the Special Olympics.

Medal for Logan

Logan's mother heard about Medals4Mettle and contacted me about Logan receiving one. He is battling Leukemia while still trying to remain as active as possible (baseball, soccer) while balancing that between treatments. Although he had an up and down summer, he is doing great now and calls the medal he received from M4M " his super hero medal!!" Stay Strong Logan!!

Adam Carter is first Medals4Mettle Central Illinois Recipient

On September 14, 2009 Adam Carter was presented with the first medal from the newly formed Medals4Mettle (M4M) Central Illinios chapter. Adam is an 11 year old boy from Decatur, IL battling cancer. His story is chronicled online at http://www.helpadamfightcancer.com/.

The entire Carter family, Springfield Running Center, several media outlets and St. John's Children's Hosptial staff attended the presentation.

Thanks to everyone involved including the State Journal Register and WAND 17 for covering the presentation. M4M Central Illinois is off and running! Thanks Again!! scott

Joining Forces

This will now be the blog for both Illinois Chapters (Chicago and Central Illinois). I am excited for more people to post on the site... and hopefully have some more traffic in the process!

Welcome Scott and Central Illinois

Some Feedback from our Legacy Cards

Question:
Why did you decide to donate medals to M4M?

- I think the program is amazing and what these people go through is far more challenging thank anything I have gone through. They inspire me to be a better person!

-Although i worked hard to earn them, those who will ultimately receive them through M4M deserve them much more for their hard work through their challenges.

- The article in Runners World inspired me. As much as I like these medals, they will happily be even more appreciated by someone else whose earned them in a different way... and who deserve them more than i