I MET MY FUNDRAISING GOAL!!!

Today marks the day that I complete my official fundraising for Team Challenge! I reached my 75% mark today ($3,390.30), thanks to some generous birthday donations from my sister, Andrea Tarbet,
and a former co-worker, Ashley Medlar. I then received my matching gift from Rich Collins to bring me to a total of $4546.30.

Thanks to Rich Collins and others,
I reached my fundraising goal today!

I am so excited that this has happened, especially ahead of schedule. I seriously never thought I'd be able to make it, but now I've surpassed my goal!

I'm not going to stop here, either. I'm going to continue fundraising until the cut-off date, which I think is August 1st. The more money I raise, the closer we get to a cure!

Please consider donating today, or spreading the word to your friends and family to help us fund a cure for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis!

Happy birthday to me!
ashley

Rolling in the Dough!

I guess I spoke too soon!

I've been worrying about my fundraising for several weeks (read: the last 2 months) because I thought I would never be able to reach my goal. While my friends and family have been beyond generous, it's a lot harder than I thought to raise $4500.

But, just when I thought things were looking down, I received a matching donation pledge for $1100. Now, with less than 50% of my $4500 to raise, I have been rolling in the checks from local businesses that would like to support my cause. In the last week alone, I have received checks from:

Kristin's Breakfast
Liberty Bay Credit Union
Alarm Central
Kendall's Kloset
Action Collection Agency

All of their donations will be matched by The Collins Farm in Davis, CA.

So, it looks like I might meet my fundraising goal after all. And I'm learning so much about fundraising, making a pitch, and really selling my cause. Thank you for everything, Team Challenge - you keep surprising me!

Running strong,
ashley

Local Businesses Rock!

I received a check today from my local credit union where I have been banking for over 4 years. I have to say that I was completely surprised and utterly thankful when I opened the envelope to find a check for $250!!

When I brought them my fundraising letter I thought it was a long shot because they have their "select" charities that they support and because I haven't really been banking with them for very long. But I brought the letter anyway, in-person, just before the holiday weekend.

Sure enough, their community service rep saw the letter and sent me a sponsorship check. Thank you
so much to Liberty Bay Credit Union of Braintree for your sponsorship, which will also be doubled by my match from the Collins Farm!

Just another reason why local businesses rock, and why you shouldn't hesitate to ask anyone and everyone, especially if you are asking in-person :)

Run on,
ashley

Fundraising Match Announced!

At this time yesterday I thought I would never reach my fundraising goal. In fact, I'm still not so quite sure that I'll be able to make it. But, thanks to the generosity of friends things are definitely looking up!

I emailed all my work friends today to remind them about my upcoming run and to ask them to donate to my Run for a Cure. I received a few more generous donations from my co-workers (a.k.a. my second family!). But one message in particular caught my eye.

My friend Melanie grew up in Davis, CA, a couple hours outside of Napa where my cousin currently lives, and where I will be staying during race weekend. Her family owns a farm there - The Collins Farm - and they will be having a blackberry festival during the weekend of the race that they invited us to. Unfortunately, it's the same evening as our inspirational pasta party, so I let them know that we are unable to attend.

Donate today at bit.ly/ashleytarbet!

However, once they read my fundraising page and blog, they offered something even greater! This morning I was just shy of the 50% fundraising mark, and Rich Collins offered to match each dollar I raise from here until I reach my goal!

With this encouragement, I am one giant step closer to reaching my fundraising goal and getting us to
Napa for the Wine Country Half Marathon! Please consider donating today to help me reach 75% so the Collins Farm match will get me to my goal!

I have to say that I am continually surprised my the generosity of human beings, and feel extremely grateful to have such loving and supporting friends, family, and co-workers. Thank you to all of you for your continued support - 13.1 or bust!

Run strong,
ashley

I Want to Inspire

National Running Day!

I run for my health, for my family, for my future, and for all those that cannot. I run to stay in shape. I run to feel good. I run to have energy and to clear my mind. I run to be a role model and to show others that anything is possible.

This year, I am running a half-marathon race with Team Challenge on behalf of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America. I am running because there is someone in my life touched by IBD and he has inspired me to challenge myself and overcome the odds. I run for Nick. I run for Erin. I run for Timmy. I run for the 1.5 million Americans suffering from Crohn's and colitis.

I run for a cure.

What inspires you to run?