Help Support Terry Selk
Happy New Year!
Best wishes to you and yours for a healthy and prosperous 2012. It is time for resolutions and I have made mine – how about you?
One of my resolutions for 2012 is to make a difference, to get involved. I am joining the Running For Youth coalition to raise money for underprivileged students so they can experience the wonders of travel with their band, sports team, choir, debate team, or other similar group. Even studying abroad.
Those of us in the travel industry know how traveling has had a lasting impact on how we view the world and other people. We are truly fortunate and we need to pass that opportunity onto the next generation that may not have the same opportunity to enrich their lives.
Do you remember trips you experienced in your younger days? Can you remember how they made you feel or perhaps you can reflect on the way a trip may have affected your life.
Now, many of you who know me are aware that I am committed to fitness and probably think that running 13.5 miles in the Minneapolis Marathon should be easy for me. But the fact of the matter is that I really don’t like to run. In fact, I gave it up two years ago because I didn’t enjoy it and it made my back hurt. But the Running For Youth is a powerful group that hopes to have 40 runners support the cause this year, each raising a minimum of $3,500. If we reach our goal, that will amount to $140,000 and could help as many as 300 or more deserving youth experience travel, possibly for the first time in their lives. These students could be playing in a band performing at the Macy’s New Year’s Parade or the Tournament of Roses Parade, attending choir festival, competing in a soccer tournament or even studying abroad.
Now, $140,000 sounds like a lot of money and it might be in some cases. But I speak from experience when I say that this is still not enough. You see, as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Student and Youth Travel Association’s (SYTA) Foundation, I have the pleasure of selecting deserving young people to receive grants to experience travel. Unfortunately, there is not enough money to award all of the deserving young people a grant and most, despite their need, will not receive any support. How do you choose between a student who lost his/her parents at an early age, is living with a grandparent on disability and a son or daughter of an Irag veteran who was wounded and cannot work. Or the child whose mother or father lost their job a year ago and can barely find a way to put the food on the table. Heck, there was one recent applicant who was actually homeless but still managed to carry A’s and B’s, showed up for school every day and was considered a model student.
Who do you say no to when there is not enough money?
So, I am stepping out of my comfort zone to make a difference and I need your help. Please pledge whatever you can - $5, $10, maybe even $20 if you have it. The more money I raise, the harder I will train. Speaking of which, it is already mid-January and I am only up to 5 miles in my runs so I had better hit the track.
I hope you can find a few dollars to support my cause, and more importantly, change a young person’s life.
Thank you for your help!
Terry
Best wishes to you and yours for a healthy and prosperous 2012. It is time for resolutions and I have made mine – how about you?
One of my resolutions for 2012 is to make a difference, to get involved. I am joining the Running For Youth coalition to raise money for underprivileged students so they can experience the wonders of travel with their band, sports team, choir, debate team, or other similar group. Even studying abroad.
Those of us in the travel industry know how traveling has had a lasting impact on how we view the world and other people. We are truly fortunate and we need to pass that opportunity onto the next generation that may not have the same opportunity to enrich their lives.
Do you remember trips you experienced in your younger days? Can you remember how they made you feel or perhaps you can reflect on the way a trip may have affected your life.
Now, many of you who know me are aware that I am committed to fitness and probably think that running 13.5 miles in the Minneapolis Marathon should be easy for me. But the fact of the matter is that I really don’t like to run. In fact, I gave it up two years ago because I didn’t enjoy it and it made my back hurt. But the Running For Youth is a powerful group that hopes to have 40 runners support the cause this year, each raising a minimum of $3,500. If we reach our goal, that will amount to $140,000 and could help as many as 300 or more deserving youth experience travel, possibly for the first time in their lives. These students could be playing in a band performing at the Macy’s New Year’s Parade or the Tournament of Roses Parade, attending choir festival, competing in a soccer tournament or even studying abroad.
Now, $140,000 sounds like a lot of money and it might be in some cases. But I speak from experience when I say that this is still not enough. You see, as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Student and Youth Travel Association’s (SYTA) Foundation, I have the pleasure of selecting deserving young people to receive grants to experience travel. Unfortunately, there is not enough money to award all of the deserving young people a grant and most, despite their need, will not receive any support. How do you choose between a student who lost his/her parents at an early age, is living with a grandparent on disability and a son or daughter of an Irag veteran who was wounded and cannot work. Or the child whose mother or father lost their job a year ago and can barely find a way to put the food on the table. Heck, there was one recent applicant who was actually homeless but still managed to carry A’s and B’s, showed up for school every day and was considered a model student.
Who do you say no to when there is not enough money?
So, I am stepping out of my comfort zone to make a difference and I need your help. Please pledge whatever you can - $5, $10, maybe even $20 if you have it. The more money I raise, the harder I will train. Speaking of which, it is already mid-January and I am only up to 5 miles in my runs so I had better hit the track.
I hope you can find a few dollars to support my cause, and more importantly, change a young person’s life.
Thank you for your help!
Terry