Pat Runs for RBO

Hi my name is Patrick Der. I am the program director of Green Cormorant Run Club. I am born and raised in Oakland. One thing you should know about me is I have so much love and passion for our beautiful city of Oakland. Oakland made me a competitor, and most importantly this city has taught me about community. If it wasn't for the role models that I had as an Oakland Youth there is a good chance I would of have turned out as a "statistic". These role models gave me the opportunity to use sports as a positive avenue to express myself and empowered me with the confidence needed to try and be great. Today I still use the sports to express myself; through running I manage the stresses of daily life, and I use my time running as an opportunity to reflect on what is and isn't important. Oakland is my home, and what is most important to me is to give back to the youth of this city.

This year for my 30th birthday I will host a run/walk-a-thon to raise money for Running For Better Oakland. Running For Better Oakland is a Non Profit organization that coaches K-12 Oakland students to prepare for the Oakland Running Festival and other local races. On February 11th, I will be running about 10 laps around Lake Merritt to make 31 miles. I am asking you all to sponsor me for $1 per mile that I run or to donate any amount you can. 100% of the proceeds will go to RBO and I want to invite all of you to celebrate my birthday with food, drinks and great company (Please RSVP). Your donations help RBO with practice equipment, provide buses to expose the students to other great running areas in the Bay Area, supplying proper running shoes for the students and can even create scholarship opportunities.

Please join me on my birthday to run with me, celebrate with me, and to raise money for a cause that is important to me. If you decide to run with me you do not need to run all 31 miles with me, but run as far as you can. When you participate on my run for a better Oakland, I guarantee you will feel the sense of empowerment and confidence that RBO gives to our Oakland Youth. I am asking for your sponsorship and donation to help me support an organization that helps give Oakland youth the same positive avenue I was once given.

I have set up a GoFundMe, but I want to encourage you to donate with cash or check RBO will be able to truly receive 100% of your donation. It doesn't matter how you donate just donate what you can, and if there is another way you can help out or donate during our run/walk-a-thon please feel free to contact me. We can use all the help we can get.

Thank you and I look forward to seeing you on my birthday!

Pat Der

Run/Walk-a-thon:
Lake Merritt Amphitheater
Run Starts at 8:00 am

Pat's Birthday Party 
4pm-6pm
Please RSVP for Pat's bday dinner at [email redacted]