03 Apr 2009 2 Comments

Fundraiser spotlight: Mike Abare

Here at Team Firstgiving, we are continuously inspired by marathon fundraisers like Mike, who not only accomplish the amazing feat of training for and running a marathon, but also take on the challenge of fundraising several thousand dollars for charities like Doctors Without Borders.  Mike was kind enough to take a break from training to share some insights with us on both his running and fundraising:

Why are you running the Boston Marathon?

I have been inspired by marathon runners ever since my mom decided to train for one when I was in elementary school.  In junior high, I got into track and started running on my own for fun.  I found it was a great way to take in the world, to reflect and relax, and to get in shape for football.

I was on the crew team in college but kept running with friends once in a while.  Then I heard about two members of the women’s crew team that were training for Boston while doing crew.  I thought they were crazy, but it made me start thinking about training.  Eventually I decided to do it because I knew it would be a great challenge and experience.

Why are you fundraising for Doctors Without Borders?

I studied international relations in college and am particularly fascinated by economic development and globalization.  Through my study and travel experiences, I caught glimpses of how widespread the lack of basic necessities is in our world and how fortunate I am to have been born where I was.

Most importantly, I am fundraising because I admire Doctors Without Borders (MSF), and I want to raise awareness and inspire others to contribute to an amazing organization.  MSF operates in some of the most forgotten and dire global conflict zones by delivering emergency medical care to our brothers and sisters who are often without basic needs for survival or a voice.  The courage and determination of MSF’s volunteers and staff is a constant source of inspiration to me.  They assist in over 70 countries, dealing with some of the world’s most acute crises, while adhering to humanitarian principles of medical ethics and impartiality.

What is your best training tip?

Don’t stretch before you run; it’s a waste.  Do some calisthenics or push ups to get you going.  Eat lots of green vegetables and drop most of your fat intake a month before the race.

What is your best fundraising tip?

Don’t be afraid to ask for donations, and use your network.  It’s a great way to get in touch with old friends, and a great reason to have a party!

It is a great reason to have a party!  How has Firstgiving helped you fundraise?

Using Firstgiving has been much easier than what I did before: a mail campaign and a spreadsheet.  Having a page for people to donate online makes it a lot easier to ask for donations by email, Facebook messages, and word of mouth.

Is there anything Firstgiving could do better?

Have a matching gift program or incentives to reach higher fundraising goals.

Spoken like a true competitive athlete, Mike.  Since we work with so many non-profits and fundraisers on so many different types of initiatives and campaigns, this isn’t something we do on our end.  However, many non-profits provide incentives for their fundraisers, and many of the companies your donors work for have matching gift programs. You should definitely go after these, and if you need help, we have information on how to get matching gifts here.

Anything else you’d like to tell us?

This fundraising campaign has been a blast and I’m psyched to have raised so much for Doctors Without Borders in a short time.

Thanks Mike, we are thrilled for your success! We’ve made a donation to your page in support of your efforts.  See you on April 20th!

The 2009 Boston Marathon is only 2 weeks away, and we’ll be featuring a few more stories about marathon fundraisers here at Team Firstgiving.  Do you have a story you’d like us to highlight or know a runner we should know about?  Post a comment below.

by admin in Spotlights Tags: , , , ,