Dear friends,

I have been named a 2013 Shambala Foundation fellow. The Norway- / Hong Kong-registered charity works to lift west China's neediest orphans out of poverty through education. On childrenofshambala.org, you can read the story of Tsomo, an eight-year old girl whose family of four struggles to survive on just over $100 a year. Children like Tsomo are at high risk of dropping out of primary school--thereby forfeiting any chance to improve their social condition--and being sold into labor or the sex trade.

Excited as I am to work for the Shambala Foundation, the fellowship offer is contingent upon my raising at least $10,000 over the next seven months.

This is a formidable amount. I am exploring multiple funding options, but it is unlikely I will reach $10,000 without your generosity. In order to better "earn" donations, I will train for and run the Genghis Khan Extreme Grasslands Marathon on July 6, 2013. I am asking you to sponsor me for a few dollars for each mile of the 26-mile race.

This will be a serious challenge for an "occasional" runner such as myself. I hope my efforts, the plight of the orphans, or some combination, will inspire you to donate. Your gift will make an incalculable difference to the kids and, at the same time, help me gain a foothold in the ultra-competitive charity sector.

I thank you in advance.

Thomas Stevenson

 

PLEASE NOTE:  All donations will go to the the Shambala Foundation.  The Tibet Relief Fund--whose name appears on this page--is generously acting as a proxy, because only U.K.-registered organizations can use justgiving.com.