A Chance to Make a Difference that can Last Many Lifetimes

A letter to all good people from Rachel Muha, founder of The Brian Muha Foundation/Run the Race Club:

Dear Friends,

Why does everything have to cost so much these days? Things like food, gas, school supplies - and gym expansions.

I'm starting to cringe every time I hear the words "gym" and "expansion." We just need it done - now - and we want the bills to stop coming.

Weather, theft, supply shortages, materials cost increases and more have made this project more expensive and
more stressful than any of us thought it would be.

Why are we expanding the gym anyways? Wouldn't it have been easier to just leave it the way it was - make do?

Sure, we could have made do. But the neighborhood that we are serving, one of the poorest and most violent in Columbus, is filled with children
and there isn't a safe Center within 3 miles.
No place they can come to and find a safe refuge.

The gym is an integral part of a community center. It is where young people who live very difficult lives can play sports that help them burn off their anxiety and yes - fear. They are safe, they are strong, they enjoy a little bit of life
and they get tired -
they can go home and sleep away the dangers until the next day.

The gym also offers the families of the neighborhood a place to have baby showers, wedding showers, receptions and more at a very reasonable cost - something they couldn't otherwise afford. Celebrations are a great way to build family bonds and that can only be good for the children.

Then there are fitness classes for residents, holiday parties and so
much more that a full size gym allows us to do. And there is our
community theater and of course, having a basketball league
for the young people in the area builds community.

But we need a bigger gym to do all that.

I didn't come to you when we started this project because I had saved a lot of money over the years and that, coupled with a few grants, was going to be enough. But like I said, weather, theft, supply shortages...ugh.

So even though we have our Night of Champions in two months and I hope and pray you can all come because those proceeds help us with our yearly expenses, I have to come to you and ask you to help us finish this once in a lifetime (here it comes): gym expansion.

We want to recognize your generosity, if you will allow us, with a Wall of Champions in the new gym.

I'm not asking for myself.

I'm just asking for the children.

God bless you friends.

Love and prayers,
Rachel