Hey Guys!

As most of you that have come across this page know, my name is Gabriella Labi.

Just three weeks ago, I made the impulsive decision to take part in my very first Triathlon - 0.5 miles swim in the Ocean, a 17-mile bike ride and a 4-mile run!

Now I consider myself a pretty athletic person. Still, that athleticism has only ever been tested by Pilates, and if you were ever at school with me, you could attest that I never did exceptionally well at any sporting events. So with that being said, I had a few organizations that I've been following or helping with that mean a lot to me, and I needed a great way to raise money for them, which led me to sign up for a Triathlon.

The event takes place on September 18th in Malibu, so for anyone willing, come and watch me and my dear friends Michelle and Andrew take part. But, most importantly, please read below and donate; every little counts.

I am looking to raise funds for three organizations that are doing some pretty incredible things:

1. Murphs Life Foundation

2. Liberty Dog Network & The Pitty Committee

3. Tomchai LA

Murphs Life Foundation - Aaron Murphy, the founder of the foundation, provides aid and resources to those who need it most in developing economies by strategically identifying and helping impoverished families and communities to empower them to become self-sufficient. If you haven't already, check out @murphslife on Instagram, where you can see firsthand the children, families and people Aaron is helping throughout South America. Any donations go towards getting kids and families off the street, building homes, buying toys for kids that have never had any, paying for hospital bills for the sick, helping set up businesses for families that cannot provide for themselves, and the list goes on...

I have been so incredibly touched by Aaron's work, and I hope you can find it within yourselves to donate generously towards this incredible foundation.

Liberty Dog Network & The Pitty Committee - If you know anything about my family or me, you know we love our dogs. We currently have 16 dogs between me, my siblings and my dad. The situation at shelters in LA is dire, with 100,000 more dogs and cats than last year and shelters euthanizing over 350,000 dogs and cats yearly. These two organizations are doing incredible things for the shelter dogs of LA. They have boots on the ground going into kill shelters and pulling dogs from the euthanized list. They then have a foster network that cares for the dogs until they find their furever homes. I have a very personal connection to both organizations as my dad has fostered a handful of the dogs on the list to be put down. Dogs are indeed man's best friend and need all the help they can get right now, so please donate generously so that these organizations can continue doing their vital work and saving more dog lives.

Tomchei LA - I was introduced to Tomchei LA by my dear friend Joe when searching for a meaningful organization to donate to right here in LA. Its mission is to assist the Jewish needy of LA - finding jobs, providing clothing, paying rent, and giving food for the week, Shabbat and holidays. I found this specifically impactful as I have come to not only host but love Shabbat dinners (partly because my boyfriend is the most excellent chef) but also because it is a time to gather with friends and family and a beautiful way to close out the week. To think some families don't have this privilege and aren't able to put food on the table makes me even more determined to raise that much more, and I hope it inspires you to dig even deeper into your wallets.