Youngster Runs to Help the Homeless in Georgia
Eleven years old Malav Chakravorty has a goal to run 300 miles over a year in order to raise money for the homeless in Georgia. Talking about the inspiration that lead him to take on such a feat, Malav said, "Going to India and seeing the poverty there made me realize how fortunate I was." Having decided on wanting to do something to help others, he soon realized that there were age restrictions and other considerations for children who wanted to help. However, he really wanted to make a difference.
That's when Malav, inspired by Mr. Ben Lazar, an "Odyssey of the Mind" coach, decided to ?give of himself' by running for a cause. "When we give out toys and clothes that we've outgrown or don't need, we aren't really sacrificing to help." By running formally for a cause he thought he was really ?giving of himself.'
So he started running on his last birthday, and now hopes to accomplish his goal by his next birthday. "Whenever I had time besides school and homework I ran and clocked my distance. I was in India last summer and took a pedometer with me to clock my distance. Typically I ran about 9 miles per week." He stays inspired knowing that his running is generating contributions that will help people in Atlanta who struggle to find shelter and enough to eat on a daily basis. So far he has raised $3000; and checks are still coming in.
In the past year, twenty-seven major U.S. cities have seen an average increase of 23 percent in the need for services. Others, too, can make a difference. Please make a per-mile or fixed dollar pledge by sending an e-mail to . All the collected money will be donated to the Georgia Coalition to End Homelessness (GCEH). It's a nonprofit 501c3 organization that is dedicated to helping homeless people. All donations are tax deductible and should be payable to GCEH. For more information about homelessness in Georgia, please visit www.gahomeless.org.
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