Hi CNC readers!
My name is Katie and I blog over at Talk Less, Say More. I’m so excited Tina is letting me stop by today to share a really cool project I’m starting called 50 States In A Year!
The last few years as CrossFit started to come in the forefront of fitness, I’ve wanted to try it but it wasn’t until May of this year when I finally bit the bullet and signed up for the foundations classes at a local box. I knew a few friends who went there which helped but I was definitely nervous. After the first class, I was in love. I suddenly understood the hype. Once I graduated foundations and moved onto the regular classes, my love didn’t fade. In fact, things only got better. I was immersing myself in the community that is CrossFit and couldn’t believe how incredibly supportive, nice and welcoming everyone was. To say I was hooked would be an understatement.
At the same time this was all starting, I was at a crossroads with my job. I work in music and absolutely love it and despite loving the company I worked for, they needed me to move and for some reason that just wasn’t sitting right in my gut. While out running errands one day, I was thinking about the move when I suddenly got this idea…
So I’m sure you’re all wondering what is 50 States In A Year?
50 States In A Year is a charity fundraising tour where a friend (Samantha) and I will travel to all 50 states in a single year while spreading the health, wellness and fitness mission while raising money for the CrossFit for Hope charity.
Our mission may be simple, but it’s bigger than me and it’s bigger than Sam. In fact, I believe it’s bigger than all of us but by coming together as a community, we’ll be able to make an impact and change lives. To help clarify, CrossFit for Hope is the official fundraising arm of the CrossFit Foundation and every cent donated goes directly to it’s target recipient as all costs (accounting, administration, etc) are paid for by CrossFit Headquarters. How cool is that?
The CrossFit for Hope charity helps fund research for the fight against children’s cancer, provides educational opportunities and relief from hours of daily water cartage in Kenya, supports Infant Swim Resource to stop infant drowning, and provides educational opportunities to those in need. For more about the great efforts of CrossFit for Hope, please check out their website.
As Sam and I travel the country, we’ll be hosting fundraising events (mainly WODs at CrossFit boxes) and working with sponsors to keep our costs as low as possible. The goal being the more we’re able to raise, the more we’re able to donate to the charity at the end of the year. It’s definitely not something we can or want to do alone! I fell in love with the CrossFit community and this is my way of giving back, saying thanks and making us even closer while we all work towards the same goal – giving back!
If you want to follow our journey, be sure to follow our blog, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram! While we’re working with sponsors, we still have a lot of expenses to cover and need all the help we can get! The more we all share and spread this message, the more the project grows and the more we’re able to give back to the CrossFit for Hope charity. And of course, if you’re interested in hosting an event when we come through your area, please shoot us an email! (50statesinayearATgmailDOTcom)
Thanks again to Tina for having me and I can’t wait to see the impact we can make together!
12 Comments
I love to follow these types of adventures, but I might suggest that they get a little more specific about how the charitable funds are going to be raised. The GoFundMe seems to be going to the trip expenses, so I’m confused about how the charitable monies will be raised (maybe I’m just missing it on their site?).
“Throughout the year, we will be raising money to not only to help cover expenses but to give back to the CrossFit for Hope charity.”
I’m really not trying to detract from their goal, but it’s a bit vague.
Good luck ladies!
Hi Eileen! Thanks for the feedback! I’ll try to re-word some things to make it more clear.
For now, to clarify – the events we’re hosting at CrossFit boxes are to raise money for the charity. We’re working with sponsors to help cover the majority of our expenses, but the GoFundMe is set up with both purposes in mind – to help cover what we can’t from the sponsors AND to give back to the charity. It’s no easy undertaking, so it’s definitely not one we can do alone.
I hope that helps clarify!
I think it sounds like a fun travel around the states. Hope this will happen in canada oneday.
We’ll be traveling through Canada to get to Alaska, where in Canada are you? 🙂
This is awesome, Katie! Best of luck with the project. Thank you for sharing.
Woohoo!! I’m so proud of you, Katie! You are making such a huge commitment to this goal and I know it is going to take you far. xo
This is a fabulous idea! I wish I was as courageous and as selfless as you are to put your own needs aside for others. Best of luck to you & I will be watching for you to come to AZ next year!
Thanks so much Megan!! 🙂
What a cool mission! I’m sure you’ll meet a ton of great, like-minded people and have fun seeing what each state has to offer. Way to give back to the community!
So so so fun! I will be following your journey- best of luck!
What a freaking cool and inspirational idea! Keep it up!
Thanks Ashley!!