Bellevue Beads at the Park 5K/ Fun Run at the Gathering

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  I just heard that there will be a 5/K sponsored by Beads of Courage on the Sunday morning of the Gathering.  I wanted to give you the full lowdown.  It looks like a lot of fun and will be a nice fundraiser for them.  Such a worthy group!  However, there is a conflict for me, due to the speakers starting at 9 am.  I am going to opt for what they call the "Sleep In and get the T-shirt category".  That way, I won't miss any speakers, but can still participate.  It's a win/win situation...even if I don't get the extra hours of sleep!  Read below for the details.  Hope you can attend.
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• Sunday in the Park with Beads of Courage, July 29th, 8:30 a.m.  Bellevue, WA during the Gathering.
  

  Register online at http://www.active.com/running/bellevue-wa/beads-at-the-park-5k-and-kids-fun-run-team-beads-of-courage-run-walk-series-2012 We invite you to TEAM Beads of Courage 5k and Kids Fun Run to benefit Beads of Courage Inc., a Tucson-based charity that provides innovative, arts-in-medicine programs for children coping with cancer and other serious illness. Beads of Courage helps children RECORD, TELL and OWN their stories of COURAGE. Additional Information This run starts and finishes in Robinswood Community Park. All 5k registered participants will receive an official Beads of Courage Team Beads Packet. Each packet contains two beads, one bead you keep as a symbol of your support of a child in our Program, and the other bead we request that you carry during your race and return, packaged with a note of encouragement. This bead will be given to a child in the Beads of Courage Program to provide a powerful source of encouragement. Unique awards to First Man/Woman and the top three finishers in 5k divisions. All Kids Fun Run participants receive a special Bead Award. Beads collected and funds raised support BOC Program at Seattle Children’s Hospital. Bib Pickup: Road Runner Sports 12200 Northup Way Bellevue, WA 98005 Sat., July 28, 2012 10 am-1 pm Day of Race at event: 8:00 a.m

• Don't forget, click HERE for more info!

Ethiopia, Lampwork Glass Beads & HOPE Bracelets

Each year, the non profit organization, HOPE Bracelet Project asks beadmakers from around the world to donate beads which help residents of Yetebon, Ethiopia.

Bracelets are made and sold in the USA from these beads and funds are raised to make an annual trip to Ethiopia to teach students at the Medhame-Alem School. The school teaches vocational and skills to adult men and women which in turn raises the quality of life for their entire community.

This year, beadmaker extroadinaire, Kim Miles and her husband are raising funds to go to Yetebon and teach beadmaking. It's an expensive trek.

Kim is known for generously working with publicizing and donating to this organization. It is through her website (www.kimmiles.com), that we annually sign up to donate 100 bracelet sized beads for this group. Kim's beads are always in demand, and she donates some of her work as prizes for a drawing for people who participate. I was lucky enough to win one a few years ago. Along with many others, I support this annually.

Kim needs help reaching her fundraising goal to get to Africa. I'm hoping that some of my readers will consider donating to her travel fund. She has some lovely jewelry that you can possibly win, if you help out. Here is her donation page, and more explanation. http://cunninghamfoundation.org/kim-miles-fundraiser

And here is the bead donation page, if you would like to help out. You don't need to donate 100 beads, but I'd love it if you joined our group who does. You can find the donation information here.
http://www.kimmiles.com/HOPEBraceletProject.php

Not a beadmaker, but want to donate? There are links for that too. They need other bracelet making supplies & cash as well as Kim's blog (http://greetingsfromtaos.blogspot.com/) has a wishlist from the organizer, The Cunningham Foundation, for the school including items that are specific for classes in biology, math, chemistry, languages and general items like tape recorders, pens, pencils, sports balls and flash drives.

I hope you take a minute to check out some of the links I've provided. There is more information through http://cindybeads.com/projectmercy.htm and http://www.projectmercy.org/