7 Days to 30 Miles

The countdown begins–it’s only one week until our CEO/President Melissa Hanson will set out from Maple Grove to walk to the Mall of America, a distance of 30 miles–her personal Amazing Walk.

Melissa Hanson, training with her dog Skeeter

Why is she doing this? To raise awareness of the dangers and prevalence of childhood obesity. You can find her thoughts on why raising awareness about childhood obesity is critical by clicking here.

You can also see the route she’s planned by clicking here. 

We really don’t want Melissa to have to walk the full 30 miles. Even for someone in great condition (which she is), that’s a lot to ask of the human body.

How Can You Help?

On Wed., Nov. 16, Minnesotans will participate in the third annual Give to the Max Day. Donations made via our Give MN page (on Nov. 16 only) will have two additional benefits:

• Donations up to $10,000 will be doubled by a generous anonymous donor
• Donations will take some of the burden off Melissa

How Will Donations Make Melissa’s Walk Easier?

• Every $500 raised, Melissa will get a 15-minute break to rest from her own Amazing Walk.
• Every $1,000 raised, Melissa will have a substitute walker for 1 mile while she rides in the van that will be following her throughout the day.
• Every $5,000 raised, Melissa will get a 5-mile bike ride.

What this means is that every donation will be doubled (up to $10,000), helping us teach even more kids about healthy living and exploring the outdoors, and as they accumulate, Melissa will get some much-needed relief.

Please consider making a donation on Nov. 16 to help us teach more kids about healthy living–and to help Melissa make her journey!

What We Also Need:

The walk ends at the Mall of America, as that’s where the Give to the Max Day headquarters are located. You know what we’d really love?

A huge crowd of supporters cheering Melissa across the finish line.

This will take place sometime late afternoon. We’ll have a more definite time as we get closer to the date, but right now we’re estimating around 5-5:30 p.m. If you could join us at the Mall around that time, please email Amy (amy@sajaifoundation.org) and let her know, so she can contact you with details as we get them.

If you can’t be at the Mall, but have some flexibility during the day, also let Amy know–there will be stops at coffee shops along the way, and it’d be wonderful to have people greet Melissa and give her lots of encouragement. (Especially if the weather is bad.) (Which we’re trusting won’t happen.)

We’re very excited about Nov. 16–please join us! 

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