Mr. Parry's Endurance Challenge: July 2010

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

A letter from the Rochester Area Family Y

The following letter was recently sent out from the Rochester Area Family Y to all of its staff and members.

My name is Jim Parry and on August 3, I will be running on a treadmill in the lobby of the Rochester Area Family Y for 17 hours to raise funds for the Strong Kids Campaign. My family was able to take part in Y programs when I was a child because of this scholarship program. We would never have been able to afford those opportunities without the generosity of others. This event is called Mr. Parry’s Endurance Challenge for the YMCA and is one way I feel I can give back.

I take the responsibility of being a positive role model for children seriously and running is an easy way for me to do that. I also know that sometimes this just is not enough for some. The Strong Kids Campaign provides the resources to participate in Y programs for those who would not otherwise be able to afford to.

The idea for Mr. Parry’s Endurance Challenge came to me soon after I started teaching in my hometown of Stewartville and, before I knew it, became a reality with the first event happening in 2009. I ran/walked 96 miles during those 24 hours…this year, I ran and walked 100.68 miles over 24 hours from April 29-30. I have heard many stories about how individuals made big changes in their lives because of Mr. Parry’s Endurance Challenge. Those stories motivate and inspire me.

I need your help to fulfill this challenge. The Y is providing a 2nd treadmill for people to run or walk on with me. You can sign up for 15 minutes or an hour. It’s up to you. My run is from 5am – 10pm on Tuesday, August 3. It makes a HUGE difference for me to know that people are supporting me and this wonderful cause.

Please consider signing up on the bulletin board in the Y lobby. You do not need to be a member of the Y to join me that day. You can also call the Y at 287-2260 to sign up. Thank you!

Jim

To find out more about Jim Parry’s Endurance Run for the Y, talk to a fitness center staff today. You can also make a pledge to support Mr. Parry online at http://www.ymcastrongkids.org. More information about Mr. Parry’s Endurance Challenge for the YMCA can be found at http://www.rochfamy.org/ and http://mrparrysendurancechallenge.blogspot.com/.

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Flyer and Pledge Form

Here is the PDF of the flyer for Mr. Parry's Endurance Challenge for the YMCA.
https://docs.google.com/document/edit?id=1j2LW36hMjJCLrl1owxQ-kIfXppVx8WTAnrpd_hT-HnA&hl=en

Here is the Campaign Pledge Form
https://docs.google.com/document/edit?id=16NHtSqZhi8PvKO_7tGcaYeInOYeiP5NQ-GNfGsAZxls&hl=en

Come in to the Rochester Area Family Y to run with me for a bit if you can and donate to the campaign if you are able. You do not need to be a member of the Y to do this. A schedule/sign-up sheet is up at the Y. You can stop there to sign up for a time-slot or call 287-2260 to schedule a time. Also, there will be hourly prize drawings for those who contribute to the campaign.

See http://rochfamy.org/ for more information.

Monday, July 5, 2010

Mr. Parry's Endurance Challenge for YMCA

Come in and support Mr. Jim Parry on Tuesday, August 3rd. Jim will be running from 5AM-10PM (17 hours!!) on a treadmill in our lobby to raise money for our 2010 Strong Kids Campaign! You may have heard of Mr. Parry's Endurance Challenge in Stewartville a few months ago. Mr. Parry teaches 6th grade and he is interested in raising awareness about the importance of exercise for youth and everyone in the community. During his 24 hour run in Stewartville, he completed 100 miles. Jim used to work at the YMCA in Rochester and so did his father. Jim shared, "My family was able to take part in Y programs when I was a child because of the scholarship program. We would never have been able to afford those opportunities without the generosity of others." So Jim is giving back on Tuesday, August 3rd from 5AM-10PM at the Rochester Area Family YMCA: Visit http://www.rochfamy.org/ for more information.

You can help Jim out by:

1) Running along side Jim. We will have a schedule for people who can run with him on a 2nd treadmill in the lobby.

2) Pledge Jim's efforts with a donation to our Strong Kids Campaign at www.ymcastrongkids.org.

3) Spread the word. Share this information and invite others to participate by visit http://www.rochfamy.org/.

4) Volunteer to help organize this effort by emailing brendak@rochfamy.org.

My Story

I grew up in Stewartville, attended each of the schools here, and now teach 6th grade here. I was introduced to distance running in the Spring of my 9th grade year by my PE/Health teacher. Little did he know that he changed my life that day! I knew when I left his class that I would be a runner for the rest of my life! That is the power that we all have in the lives of children/youth. I have run in hundreds of races, including 39 marathons and 7 ultramarathons (longer than 26.2 miles). Now it is my turn to try to motivate others! The idea for Mr. Parry's Endurance Challenge came to me soon after I started teaching in Stewartville and, before I knew it, became a reality with the first event happening last spring. I ran/walked 96 miles during those 24 hours...this year, I ran and walked 100.68 miles over 24 hours from April 29-30. I have heard many stories about how individuals made big changes in their lives because of last year's challenge. Those stories motivate and inspire me!

2010 Photos. 100.68 miles in 24 hours