Jess Keefe's Fundraiser:
Jess' Run for Shatterproof
THE STORY:
Hello dear readers,
I'm running my first half marathon and I don't want it to be about me, or how gazelle-like I look, or how fast I'm going for a first-timer, or how well my sneakers match my running tights. (But thank you for noticing, Jeez, I'm blushing. T.J.Maxx, it's the best for activewear, seriously who knew?)
I want it to be about Matt because he was my brother and he died and I miss him. I've been running a lot since he left, more than ever, because I enjoy the calm brain space. I'm not much of an achiever these days, unless achieving new customer loyalty levels on food delivery apps counts. Accordingly, I thought it might be a swell idea to get off my ass and achieve something in his honor.
So I scoured every corner of the Internet looking for charities that wouldn't make him want to puke, and I think I found one. Shatterproof is a down-to-earth, goals-focused organization that seeks to eradicate addiction through cold, hard scientific research, plus meaningful advocacy for social change.
From their website, here are their goals for the next 20 years:
Reduce by 50% the number of Americans addicted to alcohol and other drugs (more than 22 million in 2013).
Reduce by 50% the number of Americans who die from alcohol and other drugs (more than 135,000 per year).
Reduce by 50% the societal cost of alcohol and other drugs (estimated in excess of $415 billion per year).
Sounds pretty good to me. The imaginary conversation I had about it with Matt in my mind went like this:
ME: Say Matt, what do you think about this Shatterproof thing. I think it might help people in a way you would have appreciated.
MATT: Oh you clever bitch. I agree. I like it. Do you want to order burritos? Bernie 2016!
So I think it's settled.
If you knew Matt, if you loved Matt, if you know me or love me, if you care about this issue or society in general, I would just be tickled if you'd donate. Let's give them a fat check to fund a study or support a meaningful bill at Congress. Let's do something instead of nothing because boy won't that feel warm and good and safe.
xo, Jess
The Team: $3,530 TOTAL RAISED SO FAR
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Donor Comments
Joe
DONATION: $25
We walked through the highest snow piles I have ever seen, went to dinner, to your favorite JP dive hang out bar. It was a great night. We rocked out to Robyn in your apt after that. I can't believe I didn't know that you passed Matt. I hate that Facebook notifies me of the most inane stupid things, but all of the love that was shared to your wall wasn't deemed of enough interest by some math program to pop up on my feed. Thank you for 2 of the most fun nights I've ever had hanging out with a boy. I hope you're having an amazing birthday wherever the bits and pieces that are truly you have gone. 4 years ago
