Cocodona Charity Bibs

Help me in supporting Rising Hearts for the Javelina Jundred 2024!

In October, I'm going to run 100 miles in the desert at the Javelina Jundred. I want to make this challenging endeavor mean more that just a run, so I plan on to raising $5000 to support Rising Hearts. I recognize that I live and run on Indigenous Lands, and Rising Hearts is an Indigenous led organization with a focus on movement and the outdoors. I can't think of a better partner in this mission. A donation of any amount will help me cross the finish line, so please help me get there!

The Runner
My name is Jesse. I live and run in the lands of the Lenni Lenape, also known as Philadelphia. I appreciate the joy and discipline that running gives me, but I want to be able to use it for something more than that. I have helped start running groups to bring people together, I have helped organize running protests, I have posted endlessly on social media running fueled rants about all the things I care about. But I have never properly used running to raise money. Until now. 

The Reason
On my last hundred mile race, I was listening to "Braiding Sweetgrass" by Robin Wall Kimmerer as I ran. The deep sadness and enduring beauty of her stories had me literally weeping on the trail as I ran. I love these lands and trails, but I am a newcomer to them. I was moved to honor the indigenous caretakers of the land and to learn more.
And as I learn more, the history of colonialism and imperialism, I care more and more about folks and communities around the world that don't have the same privilege and freedom that I have. Running is simple, easy, primal, but requires ephemeral things that we take for granted, time, safety, rest, space. As I learn and advocate for my global family in Palestine, Sudan, Congo, Haiti, I want to bring that energy to my community, to the lands I live in and run on. 
Running can also be resistance. To unhealthier versions of ourselves. To our capitalistic society telling us to be productive and consume. To colonial power structures that want to keep us compliant
I recognize my privilege, I recognize that I run on land that was forcibly taken by my own ancestors to some degree, I recognize that running can be a selfish endeavor. I want to use my love for running to give back in some way
And here you are, reading this. Just like I will lean into my crew and the volunteers to help me on race day, I'm leaning in to you now. Your donation, however small, will help me make the thing I love something bigger. Please consider helping me give back to the stewards of the land we run on



The Mission
From Rising Hearts mission statement:
"Rising Hearts is an Indigenous led grassroots group devoted to elevating Indigenous voices and promoting intersectional collaborative efforts across all forms of movements with the goals of racial, social, climate, and economic justice. Our Primary focuses are to inform, elevate, mobilize, and organize through strategic and targeted advocacy, establishing collaborative partnerships to help create a better and safer future and environment for all of our relatives who inhabit this planet, past, present and future."
I won't try to speak for them, so please go check out what they do and what they are about here: https://www.risinghearts.org/ 
Its important to me to direct my care for humanity and liberation towards my own community, my own home. As the original stewards of the land I run on, its an honor to partner with Rising Hearts to support Indigenous advocacy.

The Story
For an east coast city kid, I really love the desert. Particularly the Arizona desert, which I've been sporadically visiting since I was a teenager. I didn't want to admit it then (I don't even really like to admit it now), but the desert has an allure and a special sense memory for me. So I've decided to experience it the best way I know how: to run 100 miles in it!
The real story is that I signed up for Javelina because I wanted to. Because I like the desert and I like to run. But I was conflicted about 2 things, running races can be expensive, and as such, in some ways it is a very selfish, privileged thing to do. My real dream race is the Cocodona 250. If running 100 miles in the desert is good, then running 250 must be great, right? But as I looked into it, I struggled with those truths. And then I heard about the charity bib program. I couldn't imagine a better way to enjoy what I love while supporting work that is meaningful!
But alas, by the time I had connected with Rising Hearts and The Wander Project and worked out the details, the charity bibs were sold out. The entire race had sold out actually. I was bummed. But why should I let that stop my from doing something good with my running?? So instead, I'm dedicating my race at Javelina to raising money for Rising Hearts. And even better, because I've already signed up, none of the funds raised have to go to race registration!

The Challenge
Running 100 miles is easy. Asking you to donate is the hard part. So will you help me? I don't have prizes or gifts, but I do have a hundred miles to run in your honor. Will you put your name on one of them?

$50/mile will get me to my goal, but any amount will help! Who's name will be on mile 1???

Double Your Donation Today!

Does your company have a gift-matching program? Check with your HR department to see if your company matches employee gifts. If they do, take advantage of this opportunity to double your contribution today!

Please note that matching gifts must be received 2 weeks prior to the race day to be counted towards your fundraising goal. Donations must also have the athlete’s name associated with the donation so we can allocate funds accordingly.

The Wander Project Tax ID number is: 83-1778644