Miles for Smiles

If you were to ask me what my biggest passion is or what is at the top of my bucket list, my answers would run coincide. Helping others is what I thrive for, and my biggest dream is to travel to Africa. This all started when my mom was the Children’s Director at our church and we sponsored a little girl from Peru. Every year since then, maybe even before, my family has sponsored 1-4 kids all around the world. From ages 12-18, I sponsored a girl from Zambia, Africa who was exactly one week younger than me; her name was Sera. Ever since I sponsored Sera, I had this drive in me to someday meet her. I’m not sure if I ever will, but all I can do is hope and pray.

As my passion for helping people has kept on, I became a leader for an organization called Latte Losers during my sophomore year of college. Latte Losers is a movement of college students who are passionate about changing the lives of children all over the world. It’s a division of VisionTrust International that aims to provide food for children at serious risk of malnutrition, death or trafficking. By giving $5 a month, the average cost to feed a child for a month, we can change the lives of these precious children. Each semester our donations are sent to different countries, this semester we are feeding children in India! My co-leader and I came up with a fundraiser called Miles for Smiles. I registered for seven races, and for every mile I ran, my goal was to feed two children in India. The total mileage was 34.7 miles, so a total of $345 was what I was pushing to raise. Well, after my final race in September, I’m ecstatic to say that I raised $770, enough to feed 154 children in India for an entire month! Praise Jesus!

Now let’s rewind time, back to this spring. In March I ran my second ever 5k, and this was the start of my journey. Prior to this time, I despised running. I was in track in high school, but for the jumping events, not for any form of running. As I’m seeking a degree in the health field and I’ve developed a passion for fitness, this fundraiser was right on point. Not only did I help feed these children, but I developed a passion for a sport I thought I could never call fun. Over the course of the summer, I ran 94 miles and completed a half marathon. Both of these are accomplishments that I never thought I could say I’ve completed! Throughout the training for my half marathon there were times where I wanted to give up, but I knew I couldn’t. ‘You’re running to save lives’ is a thought that occurred more times than not. This project was an awesome incentive to keep me going. God is great and He works in mysterious, but awesome ways. Philippians 4:13 says ‘I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.’ If you have a dream, then fight for it, and ask for God’s guidance. You never know what you can do for both yourself and others in this world. Our motto with Latte Losers is ‘it starts with one: one person, one latte lost, one life radically changed!’

About the author: My name is Emily and I grew up with the Minnesota Caffeine Queen, best pals since the summer of 93’. I am a senior at UW-Superior, seeking a degree in Community Health Promotion & Sports Management. Upon graduation, I hope to find a career in the area of Corporate Fitness/Wellness. Currently I work 4 part-time jobs: YMCA Fitness Trainer, Office Assistant in Admissions, Athletic Worker for Volleyball games, and an Independent Consultant for Thirty One. Recently I became a certified Group Fitness Instructor, so I am hoping to start teaching classes soon! Some of my hobbies include spending time with loved ones, traveling, playing volleyball, running, working out, camping, and watching movies.