What can the marathon teach us about living united?
| By Megan - Oct 20, 2008 11:51:39 PM ET |
| Also listed in: I'm Living United at the Detroit Free Press/Flagstar marathon! |
Sunday was the Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Marathon. About 16,000 people were expected to participate in the events, which included a full marathon, half marathon, relay race, and 5K. In addition, thousands of spectators flooded downtown to cheer on the runners.
As I stood on the corner of Lafayette and McDougal, watching the runners eke out the last 2 miles of a 26.2 mile odyssey, I realized how perfectly the marathon represents what it means to Live United. Running a marathon takes perseverance and commitment to a goal. It takes support from the community and team work. It takes these same qualities to change community conditions for future generations - something we at United Way have staked our reputation on.
Alongside the thousands of people who were running to achieve their personal goals, 35 people participated in the marathon in support of United Way. To me, our group further exemplifies the perseverance and team work that is at the heart of living united. From the runners who competed to the staff who worked behind the scenes, perseverance and teamwork were key components. Our group understood what it meant to Live United and brought those qualities to the table, making the event a huge success.
I hope we can apply this example to all of the work we do at United Way. It shows that collective action and perseverance can go a long way to accomplishing a goal - whether it's running a marathon or ensuring individuals and families have all of the tools they need to lead thriving and independent lives.
As I stood on the corner of Lafayette and McDougal, watching the runners eke out the last 2 miles of a 26.2 mile odyssey, I realized how perfectly the marathon represents what it means to Live United. Running a marathon takes perseverance and commitment to a goal. It takes support from the community and team work. It takes these same qualities to change community conditions for future generations - something we at United Way have staked our reputation on.
Alongside the thousands of people who were running to achieve their personal goals, 35 people participated in the marathon in support of United Way. To me, our group further exemplifies the perseverance and team work that is at the heart of living united. From the runners who competed to the staff who worked behind the scenes, perseverance and teamwork were key components. Our group understood what it meant to Live United and brought those qualities to the table, making the event a huge success.
I hope we can apply this example to all of the work we do at United Way. It shows that collective action and perseverance can go a long way to accomplishing a goal - whether it's running a marathon or ensuring individuals and families have all of the tools they need to lead thriving and independent lives.
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