Some of us run to find a sense of balance in our lives, or as a way to stay healthy and to improve our overall fitness. Some of us choose to run for a cause or a purpose that has touched our lives and those around us. The truth is that many of us choose to lace up our shoes for a combination of reasons—some private, and some public.
This time, members of the running community are coming together to run “to save lives.” June 1 is National Gun Violence Awareness Day and runners are organizing to dedicate their miles to raising funds and awareness in what is becoming increasingly far too common: gun violence in our communities and schools.
Awareness may already be at an all-time high, but we need to let the decision makers know that the system is broken and what we thought was working, clearly isn’t. This post isn’t meant to insight a heated debate in the comments, or to talk about the rights of gun owners, or amendments, or mental health—it’s simply acknowledging that mass shootings should not be common place and to encourage the community to action. I like to belive that we can all agree that SOMETHING needs to change.
Join a National Movement
Everytown—a movement of Americans working together to end gun violence and build safer communities—and their partner organizations are encouraging everyone to wear orange on Friday June 1 to “honor those who have lost their lives and loved ones, and to demand a future free from gun violence.” There are also weekend events happening nationally on June 2 and 3. Use the hashtag #wearorange on social throughout the weekend to spread awareness and show your support.
Organize and set up a run in your community
Kelly Roberts of She Can & She Did, has set up a doc to allow runners to organize their own communities and is encouraging everyone to run together (physically and/or metaphorically) on June 2. Click here to learn more about it. She has also set up a crowd rise campaign that donates money to Everytown and their movement.
A $1 makes a difference. So does $5. If you are frustrated with seeing the same thing happen over and over again, with little to no change, consider making a donation. I know I did.
