Two of my favorite pursuits in life are running distances and providing support to those in need. I am very excited to be given the opportunity to combine those two pursuits in one great event this October 8^th! I will be running in the 2017 Bank of America Chicago Marathon in support of the Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association (GLASA).

About GLASA

Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association (GLASA) promotes and supports the optimal development and well-being for youth, adults and injured military veterans who have a primary physical or visual disability through the provision of inclusive recreational, fitness and competitive sports activities. GLASA offers opportunities for empowerment through education, leadership and training in collaboration with community-based organizations.

Additional information can be found at www.glasa.org

Why am I partnering with GLASA?

• GLASA serves over 625 youth, adults and injured military veterans with physical or visual disabilities each year.

• 3,000 youth and adults are impacted through education and outreach programs

• 50% growth in program participation over the last three years

• 250 days of programming are offered each year, providing 1,100 program hours

• 60 different locations around Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin are used for GLASA programs

• GLASA is committed to never turning away an individual due to an inability to pay program registration fees. Over 63% of GLASA athletes receive free or reduced fee programs.

• GLASA is the only agency in Lake County that is solely committed to providing adaptive sport, health and wellness programs to individuals with physical and visual disabilities. Program participants also come from Cook County and Southern Wisconsin to access GLASA’s innovative services.

• GLASA offers over 25 different sports, including: archery, boccia, cycling, goalball, golf, judo, kayaking, power soccer, softball, scuba diving, sled hockey, snow skiing, swimming, table tennis, tennis, track and field, water skiing, weight lifting, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair football, yoga and others.

• Each program features customized adaptive equipment and specialized coaching to allow individuals of every ability to participate and succeed.  Programs are offered over 250 days each year so individuals are able to meet national guidelines which encourage youth to be active 60 minutes per day and adults to engage in 150 minutes of aerobic activity each week.

What can your donation do for GLASA members?

• 95% of program participants increase overall health and wellbeing

• 93% of program participants increase self-confidence

• 85% of program participants reduce their social isolation

• 89% of program participants engage in nationally recommended amounts of physical activity

• 91% of program participants improve overall strength and endurance

• 91% of program participants increase their desire to participate in adapted sport programs

• 63% of program participants improve their knowledge of nutrition and make better food choices

91 cents of every dollar raised goes directly into GLASA programs!

Please consider contributing to my effort toward upholding GLASA’s motto: “Let No One Sit on the Sidelines”. Any donation amount is greatly appreciated and will be directly applied to this great cause.

Thanks for your support!

Mike