THe way I give back to my community is by giving to the children. The children are the future of this world and we definitely want to see them healthy and well. I have several ways I give back to my community first of all I work in the field of pediatric research. I do this mainly because I was born with a minor defect that I have had to live with all my life and have seen so many other kids when I was young have much worse illness than myself and felt I had to do something. I work at a camp every year for children. Many of these children just want someone to talk to and understand how they feel. Many people that don’t have the problem really don’t understand their feelings and what to say to them. Being a counselor there has been the biggest inspiration to me in every way possible. I also do races for several charities to raise money. For example, The Race For The Cure, Epilepsy run, Plunge for cancer, but the one I am most passionate about is the Sea Colony Triathlon which I have done for the past 13 years. This race is a benefit to the Make A Wish Foundation which gives children with life threatening illnesses a wish to do whatever they want. The race has raised nearly half a million dollars everytime since the first time I did it. It brings tears to my eyes everytime I do the race and at the end they have one of the kids thank us for the wish they received. And just when I say I am not going to do it again next year (since I am exhausted and in pain) I change my mind. It is a very emotional experience and I think I will be doing it till the day they stop having it or the day I die. Whichever comes first.
John
Hebron
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