Dear Friends,

I am sending this message out for your response or not. Just however you feel led. Most of you know or know about my daughter, Kathy. Last year she volunteered to help at the Marine Corps marathon with the group that was running for The Fisher House. (this is the military version of the Ronald McDonald house in as much as when a soldier comes back to the states wounded or is seriously ill, the family can stay at the Fisher House as long as they need to be close to their loved one.). Anyway, Kathy was so moved by the mission (as were the other volunteers), that they all decided to participate this year! Kathy is like me. We don't run......... Well, she has trained all year long and she is looking forward to participating in the 26 mile run in October in D.C. In fact, this was her message the other day: I haven't meet my goal and believe me, finishing without a bus ride at the end is my ultimate goal but doing this on behalf of the Fisher House is the only reason I ever considered such an undertaking. Please, if you make a donation to charity for any reason, consider this one this year. The Fisher House directly supports military families when they need support the most. It is a wonderful, generous organization. Who else could make me do this kind of crazy thing??

Her husband leaves for Iraq in September. At Fort Stewart where they live, whenever one of their soldiers die, they have a tree planting ceremony. Last week there were 12 trees planted. For those who are seriously injured, it is important to have facilities for their family to be close to them during rehabilitation. There is a Fisher House at every major medical military facility.

Anyway, IF you are interested, log in www.fisherhouse.org/marathon (at the top right of that page is Kathy's picture above the words contact us. Click on Sponsor a Runner, then click on Sponsor a Runner Now, then click on Donate Now, then Click on Support a Participant, then put in McDowell, then click Donate Now. From there, you will not see Kathy's name again and to me it looked like I had just signed up to run (THAT scared me) but no, once Katherine McDowell is clicked in place, everything is fine.

All of my friends (YOU) do so much for so many but I felt compelled to make you aware of her passion for this worthy cause. Thank you for your consideration.

-Jill