Getting active and giving back
by Rachel Liebergall
As the sun shines more than ever, we are all ready and eager to get outside and get away from our computers. The need to unplug is hitting all of us — and with the weather finally turning around, we all deserve and need to embrace our time outside. I especially have taken advantage of this time. Living right by Central Park, I have made it now a daily part of my routine to take a nice “run” (more like walk) and unplug.
Throughout my routine, I have been making constant reflections — feeling beyond grateful and lucky for the ability to move and be able to enjoy the outside while wondering what I could to help, now more than ever. We have all seen the remote ways of giveback and donations, yet “remote” does not have to be virtual and on a computer. “Remote” can enable us to combine our abilities to move with giveback work, independently and in our own way.
Many organizations fundraised and boosted awareness via charity walks, some throughout the year and constant, some only focusing on one key walk and taking the entire year to plan. For many foundations, these events were instrumental in support and are just another one of the consequences from COVID-19. However, a couple of weeks ago, I was able to participate in the National Brain Tumor Society walk in DC. I had never considered the idea of a “virtual walk” before, as motivators for these walks are typically the power of the community and the event behind it all, but I was blown away with the program put together and felt the impact while being miles away.
In support of a friend suffering from a brain tumor, my friend and I walked the entirety of Central Park and signed up online. At lunch time, we took part in a virtual ceremony that honored our friend and other patients, highlighting members around the country and showing how everyone in the organization was embracing the “walk.” While it usually takes place in DC, people were able to avoid the stress of flying and bring their missions to their home base areas, making it personal and involving more in their journey.
Many charity organizations are embracing the “virtuality” behind these new walks, taking advantage of applications like Charity Miles and Strava. As we all get outside and get active with the warm weather, I encourage us all to put more value behind our steps and seek ways to combine movement with giveback. Find some ideas below and see how easy it is to get involved:
