Day 311 - $17,688

We went out with some friends this weekend. We had a great time. As it seems to frequently happen these days... the topic of Give One Million came up. Our friends were very supportive and generous and donated to GOM. But of all the donations given that night - the biggest one came from our new 6 year old friend Alex (Our friend's daughter). She donated her hard earned lemonade stand money to help the kids of St. Jude. Her one dollar donation is an example to all of us!!

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Day 310 - $17,479

For all Give One Millionaires up in P-Town (Vancouver, WA to be exact), here's the news you've all been waiting for!

On Feb 5th we will be having a benefit workout for Give One Million for St. Jude. It is sponsored by The Workout Performance Cross training/Cascade Physical Therapy.

When:

Feb 5th at 8 A.M.

Where:

The Workout Performance Cross Training
2415 SE 165th Ave. Ste 105
Vancouver, WA 98683

What:

We will be doing a CrossFit Training Workout. <--- Click the link to see what that is. It's just a fun and different way to get in shape. The workout will last approximately an hour.

Contact Info:

A big thanks to Bob Cook for putting this together. If you have question on how to get there, or what exactly to expect for the workout - just contact him.

Bob Cook
Cascade Physical Therapy
www.cascadept.com
The Workout Performance Cross Training
www.theworkoutcf.com
360-253-4767
bcook@cascadept.net

Donations:

We will be raising money by encouraging donations to participate in the workout. So remember... everything raised is going to the kids of St. Jude and helping us reach one million in one year for St. Jude. So please be generous :)

If you live in the Portland, OR / Vancouver, WA area I hope you can make it. It will be a great way to get a fun workout overseen by a professional Physical Therapist.

Help me reach one million in one year. Donate now!

Day 308 - $17,413

OK... So now I'm thinking about what I can do as big event in February. A friend is planning a GOM event for Feb 5th up in Vancouver, WA. I don't have a ton of details yet - so everyone up there I'm not ignoring you - but as soon as I have them, I will let you know.

I think we also have a GOM benefit concert in the works as well. I think it will be up there in the Portland area

... I think. I'll have to check on that :)

I'll have more info on that later as well. I'm just trying to scramble and do everything I can these last couple months to get the word out, and get things organized.

So that's where you come in. Can everyone do me a couple favors...

1. Write emails to anyone and everyone that has any sort of following. News people, Radio people, Store owners, Etc, Etc.

2. FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK, and then INVITE ALL YOUR FRIENDS TO DO THE SAME. That means "suggest" the GOM page to all your FB friends. When we get a little closer to the end, I'm going to ask all our FB fans to donate. The more we have... the more we earn for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

3. Last, but definitely not least.... if you have not donated yet. Please do!

Help me reach one million in one year. Donate now!

Day 306 - $17,200



Thank you to all the sponsors that have donated so far for the walk-a-thon. About half of you have donated. I'll be following up with the rest of you to get the donations in. I can't let all those miles go to waste :)

So I mentioned it briefly in my last post, I met Paul Blart - MALL COP - on Saturday. Now that the issue is resolved, I'll give a few more details. I got kicked out of the mall when I was walking on Saturday. So here's how it all went down:

I had been walking for nearly 8 hours, without bothering anyone. I did have a couple people come up to me and give me some donations, but I was really trying to keep a pretty low profile (other than the sign on my back). But there wasn't very many people that came up to me. Maybe 3 or 4 in the whole 8 hours at the mall on a busy Saturday. For the most part people just ignored me. That's bad, because I would have liked people to take more interest in GOM, but good in the sense that if people had taken more interest, they probably would have kicked me out sooner. So anyway... back to the story...

A security guard came up to me and proceeded to explain that soliciting donations and displaying a sign was against their policy, and I needed to remove it. I agreed immediately and removed the sign. I had a feeling they might ask me to do that at some point, so I was more than happy to comply with their wishes. I explained that I had a box of belongings stored under the escalators by Sears and would carry my sign (not displaying it) until I reached my box, and would then place my sign in the box and continue walking. We then parted ways, and I thought the incident was over...

I had continued on my walk only 2 or 3 minutes when the security guard approached me again ( I haven't even made it back to Sears yet!) and said, "Sir, it's time for you to leave now." I was somewhat shocked. "Why???" I asked. He then went on to say that I was continuing to display my sign, after he had asked me not to, and must therefore leave. I told him that I was in no way displaying the sign - and didn't know what he was talking about (because I wasn't! I was just holding it down by my side as I walked back toward Sears... half the time with the words facing toward my leg!) I even told him I would throw the sign away right there - even though I wanted to keep it, but he wouldn't listen - and insisted I leave immediately. So I walked to Sears, gathered my belongings, and headed for the door.

However, at this point, I was somewhat upset with the situation. I understand the mall is technically private property, but I felt I was being unjustly forced to leave. So I called Melissa. I explained to her what was going on. If you remember - she and the kids had just left an hour or so earlier after having met me for lunch and to walk a couple laps. I told her I didn't think it was right how they were treating me, and asked her if I should make a scene or just forget about it and leave. We decided it would be best just to leave.

As I was walking out, the security guards trailed behind me about 10 feet the whole way. I turned around and asked the guard, "Did mall management ask you to have me leave?" He said no, so I asked again, "Then why are you making me leave?" He then went off saying something about how if I didn't leave, he would call the police and have me arrested for trespassing. So at that point I realized it was useless trying to speak with this gentleman, and I left.

I went to the park that I trained at, and finished the last three miles walking in the snow. While I was finishing up the walk, Melissa called mall management - but there was only a receptionist in. The manager wouldn't be in until Monday. We got the number of the security guard on duty, and mad plans to call and file a complaint on with the mall manager on Monday.

I wanted to go in and talk to the manager face to face. I called to make the appointment, but he just wanted to speak over the phone. So I told him the whole story, explained that I was disappointed with the way I was treated, and asked that he speak with the guard regarding the incident. He agreed, and said he would call me back.

When my phone rang today at work - I was sitting with a co-worker going over some work stuff. I recognized the number and told him I had to take the call :) The manager said that he spoke with the guard and he basically had the exact same story I did - except he said that after I had removed the sign and was walking, I held it up and flashed it to someone as I walked by them. "WHAT!?!?" I said! That is 100%, absolutely FALSE!

We talked about it further. (The mall manager was actually quite a pleasant man) After I heard what the guard had said - I could only remember one slightly possible action that could have been mistaken for me holding up the sign. As I was walking back to Sears I brought the sign up in front of me so I could read it. I'm guessing it was at maybe a 45 degree angle with the bottom of the sign touching my stomach and the words FACING IN TOWARD ME. I'm not sure why I held it up to read because obviously I knew what was on my sign - other than it was in my hand, and I just wanted to look at it. I mean it was just subconscious. Anyway... that is the only thing I can think of that could remotely be mistaken as "holding my sign up for people to see". It basically came down to a he said/she said situation. I agreed with him on that, but said that the guard didn't even tell me what he saw, or give me a chance to explain the misunderstanding... he just started threatening to have me arrested! He agreed and said he would speak with the guard about how to properly treat people in similar situations going forward. He said I was more than welcome to come back to the mall, and even continue walking there... So we agreed it was just a big misunderstanding, and that's basically how it ended.

So that's the story of how I got kicked out of the mall while trying to raise money for kids with cancer :)

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Day 303 - $16,272





Well I did it. 26 miles. I started at 7:30 AM and walked until 5 PM. I had a little run in with mall security at mile 23. I ended up having to move my walk-a-thon to a local track for the last 3 miles, but it all ended OK.
Melissa, J, and Tiny came to visit me for lunch (see pic above of me eating pear.)
Everyone walked with me for a little while. It was nice to have some company! Walking for 9 hours can get a little boring. Even with an ipod :)
So according to my calculations we earned the following today
$70 x 26 miles = $1,820
+ $120 in pledges for the walk
+ $14 in donations from mall goers
--------------------------------------
= $1,954 total raised today!!
(Anyone want to donate $46 to make it an even $2,000???)
So my legs are extremely sore. I'm tired. It's time to get a good nights rest.
Good Night!
p.s. For those of you that sponsored the walk. I'll be sending out an email in the next day or so with details on how to donate. THANKS EVERYONE!

Help me reach one million in one year. Donate now!

Day 302 - $16,258


OK. So we have a little change of plans. I was going to walk the Little Blue Trace Trail here in Independence for the walk-a-thon tomorrow. And I was planning on doing that no matter the temperature. Well... It's not the cold that is changing the plans... it's the foot of snow on the ground/trail that changed it. I would walk through it... but since I'm raising money for the kids of St. Jude, I don't want that to limit the number of miles I can walk. Sooooo....

I'm going to walk at the Independence Center Mall in Independence, MO. They open the mall for walkers at 7 AM, and that's when I plan to be there. Or shortly there after. This change of plans is actually turning out to be good for a couple reasons. 1. I'll be walking inside, so it won't be cold. That will be nice. I've been training for the walk-a-thon outside in the cold the last couple weeks anticipating low temps for the walk. (I mean... It is Jan 22nd!!!) But I won't have to walk in the cold anymore :) Nice warm inside temp! 2. I will probably generate a lot more attention walking in a mall than I would had I walked the trail. I plan to tape a sign to the back of my shirt telling everyone what I'm doing. That wouldn't have been so embarrassing if I was outside on a trail.... but doing that inside... while I walk around the mall for 9 hours... will be putting me somewhat (way beyond) out of my comfort zone. Oh Well... It's for the kids right??

You may have noticed that fine looking picture above. That's me about 2 hours ago carb loading for the walk. I'm going to try and walk 26 miles so I'm going to need all the energy I can get. I'm basically walking a marathon with one 5 mile, one 10 mile, and one 13 mile walk as preparation. Wish me luck on that. :)

I tried to hit everyone I know to get sponsors for my walk. And As of now. I have $70 a mile in sponsors. Pretty good right?!?! SO if I walk the 26 miles, I will earn $1,820. Plus I have two other people that are just donating a flat amount for the walk ($20 & $100). So if I go the distance, the total should be $1,940. That's almost $2,000!!!

I sent the following email to 3 local news stations and the major KC newspaper in hopes of generating a little more attention for GOM:

I will be attempting to walk 26 miles at the Independence Center Mall on January 22, 2011to raise money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. I am currently at $67 a mile in sponsors. I will be walking inside the mall. I will begin between 7:30 and 8:00 A.M. I believe it will take approximately 8-9 hours to complete 26 miles. I am attempting to raise one million dollars in one year for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. You can see more details at www.giveonemillion.blogspot.com. I have not informed the mall that I’m planning to walk for 8-9 hours so I hope all goes well.

Contact Information:
David Feldman
giveonemillion@hotmail.com
Give One Million for St. Jude Walk-a-thon
Saturday, January 22nd
Independence Center Mall – Independence, MO

You may have noticed, that I mention that I haven't asked the mall for permission to walk. I did call, and they said they have "walkers" that come to the mall. So I'm assuming they'll be OK with this. I guess we'll see.

I'll be wearing my GOM T-shirt. As I previously mentioned, I'll also have a bright neon sign taped to my back. I'm bringing flyers and T-shirts with me in case anyone wants info or to even walk with me. I have one person that says they plan to walk with me. Hopefully he shows up.

So everyone stay tuned for tomorrow. I will try and post tomorrow night to let you know how it went. I'm pretty sure my legs will be non-functional at that point - but my fingers should be working! :)

Help me reach one million in one year. Donate now!

Day 300 - $16,157

Day 300 folks. Kinda crazy.

So I walked 13 miles on Monday to get ready for the walk-a-thon on Saturday. I started at 8:30 pm and walked until 12:30 am. I'd like to get out earlier, but it's just kind of hard. I don't get home from work until around 5:30 or 6, and by the time we eat dinner and get the kids in bed... it's 8 pm. 13 miles was kind of hard. It's not that my muscles are really sore. It's more my joints that hurt. But it's Wednesday now, and I'm not sore anymore... EXCEPT for my knee. Not sure what ligament or whatever is on the outside of your knee... by mine is hurting a little from my walk. I'm trying to rest it up and get is back to 100% by Saturday. Wish me luck on that.

As of right now I'm at $56 a mile for sponsors. I really want to get to $100. I'm going to hit a bunch of people up at work tomorrow... But I could really use some help, so if you're out there. Please sponsor me. Please.

I'm going to try and get some good rest before Saturday. No late nights this week working on GOM.

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Day 297 - $16,157

OK... so work was pretty crazy last week. I spent some late nights at the office. I'm a financial Analyst/Cost Accountant just in case everyone didn't know. And like most businesses, we are really pushing to get some things done "financially" at work by the fiscal year end - which is MARCH 31st!!! Things are going to just keep getting crazier and crazier at work as we work to meet our year end numbers.

Funny how that coincides almost perfectly with the GOM deadline of March 25th! Well... I guess that just means we're going to have some late nights these next few months trying to fit everything in :)

So even though thing have been busy at work - things have been even busier with GOM. I did an interview with Teresa from Mix 93.3 fm here in Kansas City. It aired today. Hopefully a lot of people heard it! here is is in case you missed it:




So we are counting down the days until the walk-a-thon. Once again... the details are:

Jan 22nd in Independence, MO

We are walking the Little Blue Trace Trail. We will be starting at 8 AM by Buffalo Wild Wings. If you plan to walk email me for the exact meeting place.

If you want to walk with me - you can donate $15 and you get a GOM t-shirt and a St. Jude pin. I also have a sheet you can use to get sponsors.

If you can't walk, you can sponsor my walk. I am going to "TRY" to walk 26 miles. We'll see how that goes. So far I have $52 a mile in Sponsors. I'm trying to reach $100 in sponsors - so if you want to sponsor me - I need you to :) just email your name and per mile donation amount to giveonemillion@hotmail.com

This is just a walk for fun. If you decide to walk - you don't have to walk 26 miles. You can walk as far as you want.

Another event we have coming up is a work out event in Vancouver, WA. My friend Bob is putting that on, and I will have more details to come on that. But if you are in the Portland, OR/Vancouver, WA area mark Feb 5th down on your calendar to come raise money for a good cause.

So... I better get walking. I need to get ready for the walk-a-thon. I'm getting a little nervous about this whole 26 mile thing :)

Help me reach one million in one year. Donate now!

Day 293 - $16,147

Up to $52 a mile for the Give One Million for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Walk-A-Thon on January 22nd.

OK people. So we've only got about 72 days left to reach our goal. Is there anyone out there that can help??? Anyone that can organize and follow through on a fundraiser for GOM??? Anyone that will send emails asking friends and family to go to www.giveonemillion.blogspot.com to donate. AND don't forget Facebook! Please invite all your friends to follow!! We are trying to get one million fans there as well. I need help to reach the goal! I repeat: I need help! Organize a fundraiser in your town and email to let me know what you are doing.

Help me reach one million in one year. Donate now!

Day 291 - $16,036

Sorry it's been so long since the last post. It's been a long week at work! But I've also been training for the walk-a-thon on the 22nd. Take a look!


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Day 286 - $16,036

I'm not holding back on who I ask to sponsor me. Eveyone is invited to sponsor me. Here's the email I sent to Ellen

Hi Ellen,

I just wanted to let you know about Give One Million for St. Jude. It's a campaign I started back on March 25th to raise one million dollars in one year for St. Jude. Here's a video I made for you that will explain everything: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXZGvwVcXug

So I have now raised over $16,000!!!!! I know. I know. It's nothing near one million yet. But I think it's a great start. Well, I'm down to only about 80 days left, but I'm still doing everything I can to reach my goal. The next big event I'm organizing is a walk-a-thon. I'm planning to walk (I should say hoping)26 miles on January 22nd. Here in Independence, MO. I'm getting people to sponsor me "per mile". So far I have 26 sponsors for a grand total of $51 per mile! So… I was wondering if you would like to sponsor me for my walk-a-thon? Any amount per mile would be awesome! Or…. If you wanted to, you could even walk with me. I’m inviting people to walk with me and either donate $15 or get their own sponsors. If you walk – you get a Give One Million T-shirt, and a St. Jude pin :)
So let me know if you can sponsor me! Here is a link to the Give One Million blog giving all the details on the walk-a-thon: http://giveonemillion.blogspot.com/2010/12/day-261-14509.html
I hope to hear from you soon!

Thanks Ellen!

David Feldman
http://www.giveonemillion.blogspot.com/


If anyone else wants to sponsor me, please let me know. I'm up to $51 a mile so far. Pretty cool right!? So here's the question folks. Can you write some emails for me to any influencial person you can think of. I think that's the only way we are going to reach the number of people we need to reach in the next 80 days. Invite all your FB friends to follow GOM on FB. Send emails to your friends. That's what I'm going to be doing with all my free time for the next few days. EMAILS! let me know how it goes, and who you write to. Thanks everyone.

P.S. I'm glad my FB button started working again :)

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Day 284 - $16,036

So we're over the $16,000 mark! Thank you and congrats to everyone! Sorry It's been so long since the last post. I've been in LA visiting family for the holidays. I didn't really have too much access to the Internet. I did manage to donate $11.11 on 1.1.11 though! And thank you to the other 3 people that did as well. (By the way - if you signed up on FB to donate the $11.11 it's not to late. You can still do it!)

So we're coming down the home stretch. What can we do that would be big? Maybe something that would generate a lot of attention... so it will drive people to the GOM website which equals donations :) Help me think. Think. Think. Think. I'll come up with an idea... but I need you to come up with one as well. organize it and do it! We have to reach 1 million and we're running out of time!!!!!!!

Help me reach one million in one year. Donate now!