Dear F3Nation, specifically the PAX of Area 51 and The Fort,
Please accept my apology for the belatedness of this post, but I was awaiting some final numbers to share with you as I did not want to chance understating the impact you made on January 4th, 2014.
On behalf of the Davis family, the Boyd family and Keystone Substance Abuse Services, I want to thank you for your participation in the January 4th Convergence and 2nd Annual Joe Davis Memorial Resolution Run 5K!
Together, with your help, over $22,500.00 was raised that Keystone will be able to use for programs to help those suffering with substance abuse and addiction! This is up from $18,000.00 last year.
This year’s race drew 650 registrations which netted 507 finishers. Last year, in comparison, 543 registered and 397 finished!
When I initially mentioned the race during announcements at a Foxhole post several months ago, I had no idea how the race would be impacted by the group of men called F3 Nation that I proudly call my brothers. I simply wanted to invite everyone.
So, when Honey Bee told me that a Convergence had been proposed in conjunction with the race, I was honestly overwhelmed, but very excited!
The morning of the race was really something to behold as the community witnessed almost 80 men from Area 51 and The Fort post to workout at Walter Elisha Park, many of whom did not even know me or my family personally, but were simply there to support a cause they believed in.
I watched teamwork and camaraderie at its best as everyone set up tents, heaters, and coffee. As the Shovel Flags were planted at the race Finish Line, my immediate thought was, “This is how we, as men, make a difference. This ‘I Am Third’ in its truest form.”
I smiled as I recalled The Starfish Story below-
The Starfish Story
Guest Author – Deanna Josephadapted from The Star Thrower
by Loren Eiseley
1907 – 1977Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.
As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.
He came closer still and called out “Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?”
The young man paused, looked up, and replied “Throwing starfish into the ocean.”
“I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?” asked the somewhat startled wise man.
To this, the young man replied, “The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them in, they’ll die.”
Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, “But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can’t possibly make a difference!”
At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, “I made a difference to that one!”
Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
This is a verse that Melissa and I were raised to cling to in all things, good and bad.
When God decided he needed Joe back 4 years ago and our family lost a man, a son, and a brother, it was no different. Nevertheless, it was and is tough. We wondered when we would see the “good.”
On January 4th, at Walter Elisha Park, we saw it .
Often, we do things and we never really know if it makes a difference or not.
But, I can tell you that we made a difference that day. Numerous people approached me, my sister and my mother and thanked us for our efforts to bring awareness to substance abuse and addiction, many sharing similar stories of struggles and even loss.
We feel that if even ONE person was impacted positively by the race and can be freed from the chains of addiction, then Joe’s death counted for good and in that, we rejoice!
Addiction is an awful disease and its reach is hard to comprehend it is so large, but we feel like it is our call and purpose to do whatever we can to help so that others may be spared of the loss we endured.
It is truth that none of us is as strong as all of us.
Each of you made a difference on January 4th and we are eternally grateful for your efforts. In fact, it has come to my attention that Senator Tressel and Cake Boss took it upon themselves to follow up with Keystone and volunteer in the weeks after the race!
T Claps to them for that!
I am so proud to be affiliated in the community with each of you and with F3 Nation and hope we can do it again next year!
See you in the gloom.
Rock Thrill
