Partner for People and Place, Inc

As part of my on-going "mid-life conversation", I took a challenge from a fellow volunteer to train for a marathon. It's been 25 years since I ran any significant distance. I was wary, but yesterday I reached 18 miles on a training run and completing a marathon actually seems like an achievable goal.

What I failed to realize though is that the marathon I was challenged to is one week before the Tybee Runfest, which has been a tradition for a group of friends for over 30 years. Last year I committed to run all five races in 2024 at Tybee, which in total equals a marathon.

So, if you add it up, I will run 52.4 miles in the course of 2 weekends back to back. Shortly after that, I will turn 52 in 2024. It seems like it's just meant to be. Why would I do it though?

2024 also marks the 20th anniversary of the founding of Partner for People and Place (PPP), the non-profit that my my mentor, Rob Fisher, and I started. When I worked with Rob, we believed that we could use the skillset of Landscape Architects to create positive change in the world and created peopleandplace.org to donate our time and knowledge. Our first project was in Terrier Rouge, Haiti, and our efforts there after persisted for almost two decades now. What began as a simple Land Use Masterplan has evolved into a collection of initiatives that empower local communities while working toward environmental sustainability.

At some point during my run, I will be thinking to myself, "Why am I doing this?". And that's where you come in! With your help, I want to use the 52 miles to raise a minimum of $50 per mile. $2620 will go a long way in Haiti for PPP's programs, which include: Beekeeping, Goats for Women Enterprise, Hillside Terracing and Reforestation, and Food Security/Sustainable Farming, all of which you can learn about at peopleandplace.org In fact, you can watch a short video below from Rob's latest trip in November where PPP assisted local farmers in opening a cassava mill to learn more about the Food Security/Sustainable Farming program and the impact it has on farmers and their families.

If collectively we can raise more than $2600, that would be great as there is no shortage of work to do and the impact of your donation will go a long way. So when I hit the wall and wonder why I'm trying to defy the aging process by running 52 miles, I will be thinking about you, your donation, and all the good we'll be doing collectively to help PPP's friends and clients in Haiti.

Thanks in advance and please pass this on to anyone you may know who may be interested in helping me out.

Thanks again!

Josh