Photos: two Central Bolivian women with child; Ethiopian child in shoes from GGRF website
Congratulations! Thanks to all your generous donations, we've reached both Goals!!
Race Results Comming Soon!
Running for a Reason...
On June 1, 2008, six young amateur runners will be racing toward the finish line at the end of 26.2 miles in the San Diego Rock n’ Roll Marathon. Why? Because they’re a little bit crazy and because they want to raise money for grassroots development and the empowerment of women in three third world countries. They call themselves SDMT, the unofficial San Diego Marathon Team. Granted it’s not original, but it stuck nonetheless. They include Erin Kordis, Chuck Sitkoff, Jessica Franck, Nicole Sacco, Cristina Perez and her brother Dave.
I. Amigos de Bolivia y Peru (Amigos) (i.e. Friends of Bolivia and Peru) is a global non-profit organizaton based localy in Maryland made up primarily of former Peace Corps (PC) Volunteers committed to the promotion of development support, education, and cultural exchange for the purpose of encouraging a better understanding between the peoples of Bolivia & Peru and the United States of America. In addition to keeping Americans informed about current issues in Bolivia and Peru, as well as maintaining a network of communication among returned PC Volunteers and others interested in Bolivia & Peru, Amigos is dedicated to supporting the over 300 American volunteers in Bolivia & Peru by providing a source of
funding, the Kantuta Fund, for their community based, grass roots, and sustainable projects.
SDMT is raising money specifically for Amigos' Kantuta Fund because they know through first hand experience that 100% of the money Kantuta receives goes directly to funding a PC Volunteer's project. SDMT encourages you to visit the Kantuta Fund website to read about these important projects.
Photo: A pensive Peace Corps Volunteer in the Altiplano of Bolivia. Photo taken by Bolivia PCV Erin Shown.
II.The Girls Gotta Run Foundation(GGRF) is an organization made up entirely of volunteers that strives to provide underprivileged girls in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with athletic shoes for professional training and competition. SDMT knows that running is empowering and wants to share that feeling through GGRF. After all, an empowered person is more prepared to meet life’s challenges, commit to a mentally and physically healthy lifestyle, and strive to improve their lot in life. Because GGRF is an all volunteer non-profit organization, most of their funds go for direct goods and services for the girls they support.
Photo: Team Girls Gotta Run from the GGRF website.
ALL NEW VIDEO ON GGRF and Team Tesfa!! See the Art, see the Team Run, Help the Running Club Grow!
These Girls Rock!
(Click the Link Below:)
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7331068598938052644&hl=en
It took a lot of motivation and determination to run 26.2 miles, and much more to train. So thanks so much for keeping SDMT pumped up and running hard for Amigo’s Kantuta Fund and Girls Gotta Run! You helped us finish strong!
SDMT "Bios" in Brief...
Erin Kordis is a 2005 graduate of Virginia Tech, currently living in Washington, DC. She works for Booz Allen Hamilton where she supports the Department of the Navy. Her true passion lies in health and fitness so she is extremely enthusiastic about training for her first marathon in San Diego this summer. She's even more excited about raising money for the Amigo's Kantuta Fund and the Girls Gotta Run Foundation.Erin believes that a balanced life is one that includes regular exercise and that exercise leads to an improved sense of well being and happiness. Her motto is "any day I am too busy to run is a day that I am too busy.
Cristina Perez graduated with Erin from Virginina Tech in 2005 and has recently joined Price Waterhouse Coopers. She has been in the consulting practice for about two and half years, supporting the US Department of State in various capacities.Cristina enjoys a challenge and is definitely getting one while training for her first marathon.When she is not running, Cristina enjoys spending time with family and friends, listening to music, working hard, and taking weekend trips.
Dave Perez is a recently returned Peace Corps Bolivia Volunteer (2005-2007). He worked in a small, rural, and isolated community in the Gran Chaco of Southern Bolivia, near the Argentine border. His community projects addressed various local needs including nutrition, food preservation, organic garden pest management, and sustainable cooking practices. “I really dig the everyday motivational challenge of getting out and hitting the road. Knowing that by running I’m still supporting Bolivia and also helping motivate girls in Ethiopia helps keep me out there day after day after day.”
Charles Sitkoff from Atlanta, GA and currently lives in Washington, DC after spending a number of years in Berkeley, CA. When not running, his interests include red wine, Cold War history, baseball, and rap music.
Nicole Sacco graduated from Virginia Tech in 2005 with Cristina and Erin. They have been friends since the first day of Freshman year and look forward to sharing the marathon experience together. Nicole is originally from New Jersey but currently lives downtown Washington, DC where she does fundraising for the Chamber of Commerce.
Jessica Franck is a 2004 Virginia Tech Graduate. She currently works for Deliotte Consulting and is roommates with Erin living in Arlington, VA. When she isn't running, Jessica enjoys playing golf, soccer and cheering on the HOKIES!!!! The training has been a pleasurable experience thus far and she is looking forward to race day on June 1.
*Please Note:
- SDMT will send 50% of all donations to each organization, Amigos and GGRF.
- PayPal charges aproximately $1.05 for every $26 donated.
- Payments made via PayPal or Personal Check may not be tax deductible.