Thanksgiving: A Run for a Lifetime

In late September, I ran through the mountains of southern China, just north of Vietnam. This was a run that changed my life, and launched me upon a journey of a lifetime. Let me explain ... (view all Run for China posts)

My friend, Dj, challenged me last Winter to make my Grandma's Marathon this past Summer more than just a physical test. He said: "Rich, Build a school." I'm proud to report that the school at JiaYou is built. However, that marathon run which began in Duluth, Minnesota and ended in JiaYou, China, launched me upon a new life's journey. (download JiaYou case study)

My wife, Molly, and I are now the Midwestern representatives of the China Tomorrow Education Foundation (CTEF). Molly's and my goal in 2008 is to rebuild the dorm and kitchen for a mountain school in the LingYun region. Please help with a cash pledge! It is through education that this world becomes a better place! I've created a short 4 minute webcast which explains the LingYun dorm project ... Loppets for LingYun!

What are Loppets for LingYun?  Watch the video and learn! The answer involves Southern China, Wikipedia, technical conferences, Grandma's Marathon, loppets, and now Legos!

• Loppets for LingYun
  • Project Outline - 4 minute video
  • Mora Vasaloppet Slideshow: Flash Version

The China Tomorrow Education Foundation (CTEF) is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt charity organization in the United States; all donations will qualify for tax deduction.

• Send a pledge via email to Rich Hoeg, at rhoeg@comcast.net.

Project status:

• Total Money Pledged: $4,052
• Goal: $ 7,500 (1/3 the cost of the dorm)
• Stretch Goal: $22,500 (entire dorm)
• Project Kickoff: November 19, 2007
• Last Update: April 11, 2008

Donor List: (will be updated throughout the project)

As with the JiaYou school project, my wife and I are also financial donors.

• Thank you to these donors!
• Allen, Kristine and Ben
• Anderson, Ron and Glorian
• Arone, Joe
• Barber, Sally
• Birrell, Nancy
• Bloom, Patty
• Brehmer, Karen and Joe
• Brewer, Susan
• Chung, Albert
• Du, Doris
• Fraser, Dougall
• Griffith, Lynda
• Gupta, Puneet
• Hanson, Bruce and Pat
• Hanson, Eric and Maria
• Harris, Kay
• Hearn, Carol
• Hoeg, Molly and Rich
• House of Hope Lutheran Church
• Huebel, Martha
• Koch, Rhonda and Roger
• Jackson, Jill and Todd
• Larkin, Mary
• Lutz, Judy
• McMillan, Ginny and Ken
• Owen, Janet
• Prystal, Jim and Betty
• Readinger, Sue and Todd
• Rollin, Jane
• Sabo, Julie and Mike
• Sidi, Rafael
• Smidzik, Linda
• Spoden, Jodi
• Sundeen, Gil and Mary
• Stensaas, Connie and Stan
• Thompson, Jan and Doug
• Troester, Linda and Tom
• Vinje, Reverend Mark (pastor at House of Hope Lutheran Church)
• Weiss, Betsy and Bill
• Wachholz, Laurie and Rob