Since mid-afternoon Monday, our minds and hearts have been focused on the events that horrifically unfolded on Boylston Street, then radiated out from there. We have wanted to reach out across the miles and console the marathon runners, the spectators, the families, the race officials, the first responders, the medical personnel–and all of the women in this community. And we know all of you feel the same way. Here are 10 ways you can show your love and support.
1. Buy our limited edition Boston Marathon heart run shirt, a super-smart suggestion by Paige on our Facebook page. We will donate all profits to The One Fund Boston, a charity dedicated to all the victims. Sarah is going to the printer later today to tweak the colors; we realize they’re not exactly perfect Boston colors right now. You can order them here until April 26, and we will ship them as soon as possible (around May 6).
2. Download the United We Run bib from Run Junkees. And join them on their United We Run Facebook page, which is, in their words, “a virtual run event, which means you can run (or walk) any distance, anywhere and at anytime. It is intended to both honor the victims as well as display an act of unity and solidarity in the running community.”
3. Join the Run 26.2 for Boston Facebook page, where they ask that you run 26.2 miles over the course of weeks, days, or months.
4. Commit 26.2 acts of kindness in the running community–or world. Two places to start: donating your old kicks to a charity like Soleful Suitcases and sending any unwanted medals to medals4mettle. Volunteer at a race, wave to your fellow runners, say prayers of gratitude before, during, or after your run.
5. Donate blood. According to Runner’s World, the Boston area hospitals have enough blood, but your red goodness is needed everywhere in this nation.
6. Go all Wonder Woman with your support. Katie, a mother runner, is donating 20% of profits to Red Cross responders from these special arm warmers.
7. Take on a Run For Boston 5K in Chicago; or a Virtual 5K via NYCRuns; or Run in Support of the Boston Marathon Victims. Better yet, grab your kiddos and run on May 15 in the emPOWERed Kids Run, a 26.2-minute run.
8. Donate via a posse of super mamas in Raleigh; donate via Technology Underwrites the Greater Good; donate to the Challenged Athletes Foundation, which is going to help those victims who lost their limbs; or buy this all-proceeds-are-donated cute tee put out by Moms Run This Town.
9. Give directly to the Richard Family, who lost lovely 8-year-old Martin, and have two family members also severely affected. Make checks out to the Richard Family Fund and mail to: Richard Family, Meetinghouse Bank, 2250 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, MA 02124. (Information provided by Boston mother runner Rhonda who has connections to the Richard family.)
10. Run
Thank you so much for putting this list together – I’ll share it.
very very very proud to be a ‘mother runner’ right now (even though I am not a mom, teacher yes..) – what a perfect way to help, by suggesting ways others can help…excellent!
Thank you for the list. Especially thank you for #10. I was dumbfounded tonight when several people asked if I was still running my first full on Saturday and expressed disbelief that it wasn’t cancelled. I don’t understand. Maybe because nothing else makes sense in my mind BUT running. Running for those now gone. Running for those who can’t. Running for those who didn’t finish. But mostly running so evil doesn’t win. Am I still running on Saturday? Damn right! And every step will be for Boston!
Thank you so much for putting this list together! I am forever grateful that my husband and I declined a beautiful day with the kids in Boston in order to watch in a less crowded area! Shirt purchased!!!
Thanks for the ideas.
Thanks for the ideas! They are great!
how do i get to the links to buy the moms run this town tee, I could not find the shirt on the website?
Just found it! http://www.recoverbrands.com/store/category/boston-marathon-benefit-tee
The Recover shirts are now sold out – but we are doing a 2nd printing with similar shirts here: http://www.stirlingpromotions.com/mrtt—never-forget-boston.html
Pam – Moms RUN This Town
Thank you for compiling this list! I shared it on a FB page that asked where donations and such could be given.
I love this list so much. This is why mothers runners are so bad ass, we keep moving, we carry on and we find ways to help. I think it’s the mom in all of us that makes us want to take care of others, solve the problem, and nuture everyone. Thanks for the list, I’ll share it with others. Run on everyone and run strong!
What a fantastic post. I work in trauma care and know how expensive the long term care of an amputation is. I was thrilled to read Challenged Athletes is helping. I am personally challenging all my running friends to take what you would spend on a race entry and give that amount to one of these charities. Thanks for putting this together!
Thank you for this. I already ordered a shirt and will be donating to the Richard family. I posted this list on my blog, I hope you don’t mind. Thank you for helping find something to do to help.
Or download the Charity Miles app and “Donate Without Opening Your Wallet” (USA Today). They have added a couple of charities (Achilles International and Wounded Warrior Project) who support people wounded in action.
Check out their facebook page (CharityMiles) for additional information.
Thank you for the graphics and the ideas for supporting our community!
Wow! These are all great ideas. I’d like to add one more, if I’m able to: Support the Boston-area First Responders. Now, I have not been keeping up with the comments, and I’m not sure how many first-responders are still working, but I just wanted to throw it out there. My hubs is a first-responder and some of the police, EMTs, hospital staff, and fire-fighters in the Boston area may have been working round the clock the last couple days. Some might be home now, but still exhausted. Some ideas:
1. Bring over a huge and delicious meal or two. No diet food. Supply paper plates and plastic cutlery for easy clean-up.
2. Offer to babysit kids, take them to school, pick them up from lessons, etc.
3. If you’re really close with them and they don’t mind, do their laundry that’s been piling up for days.
4. Offer to feed,sit, and walk pets that need it.
I’m not sure if this helps much, but maybe someone in the Boston area would like these ideas.
These are fantastic, practical ideas. I hope many who are nearby can step in for the response team families. Thank you for both your husbands and your service to others.
Thank you for this post!!! Can’t wait to wear my rum shirt with pride!
Great options!! Thanks for sharing :) I love the shirts! There is also a charity called 50 legs that is donating prosthetic to those who lost limbs (http://www.50legs.org/). Check them out :)
I have a race on Sunday in Colorado. Does anyone know where I can get a tshirt by Sunday? I’d love to wear one to show support.
The Adidas website has a great selection of Boston Marathon gear, a discount when you enter the word “UNITE” and free shipping. For a shipping upgrade, you might be able to get one to wear by Sunday! I ordered one to wear in the Nike Women’s Half here in DC next weekend.
Thank you. I actually found someone local that is already making up shirts and is sending proceeds to Red Cross. Here is a link in case anyone else is looking: http://www.familyfanclub.net/Apparel/Tech-T-shirts/Boston-Tech-Shirt.html
Hey Katie- Thanks so much for the code! I am also running the Nike Women’s Half next weekend. I ordered a Boston shirt to wear for it too!!
How thin and how sheer are your Boston run shirts?
Thank you for this. At times like these we all want to do what we can, in our own small way.It;s nice to see some legitimate avenues for donation.
Thanks for the great ways to show support. Just ordered my heart run shirt, and I will wear it proudly!
Just ordered shirts for my husband and me. I start my 26.2 tonight. I am so happy you put this info together. Thank you!!!
Love the tee! Just ordered one!
Thank you so much for this.
Our school has our yearly walk a thon fundraiser coming up and we are trying to incorporate collecting funds for Boston.
Will you be offering any other color than white? That is a rough one for a lot of us :)
Ordered a shirt just now
I thank you for doing this
I love the suggestions of how to support Boston! If people haven’t run yet today, there is a site for running today in blue and yellow and taking a picture of yourself doing it. Here is the link to the Facebook page if people are interested.
https://www.facebook.com/#!/permalink.php?story_fbid=613339808693487&id=613135315380603
Love it! ordered two. Running local run on Sunday and will print the bib
I ordered 2 shirts to support and I am dedicating all of the miles I run for the month of April to Boston!!
This is a great list. Thanks for sharing. I’ll share with my circle.
Any way the shirts could be technical fabric or 50/50 so we can wear ’em while we run? :)
The shirts are a fantabulous idea. Can’t wait to get mine and wear it proudly. What wonderful ideas you put out there to pay tribute to the runners, spectators, and first responders. Thank you. I will run with heart…it’s just a little heavy right now (I can consider that strength training too then, right?!).
Just ordered my shirt!!! I will be wearing it in The Flying Pig Half Marathon on May 5th.
I was there Monday and had finished my race about an hour earlier. My husband and I had just made it to our hotel room when we heard the explosions. I had intended to take it so much slower, but circumstances, adrenaline and other factors had me crossing the finish line in a Boston PR time. Wish I was saying that out of pride. I’m really saying it out of gratitude because had I executed my original race day plan, my husband could very well have been one of the many injured. He was waiting for me at mile 26.
All my friends are okay, but we are heartbroken and still a little shell-shocked. I go between uncontrollable sobbing, anger, determination and gratitude. It still has not sunken in. Our hotel was only .30 a mile away from the blasts. Our lobby became a gathering place for misplaced runners and spectators. SWAT teams took over. From our window all we could see were ambulaces, fire trucks, police vehicles, first responders and dazed people. We were told not to gather in large crowds, but we needed to be together. The Prudential Center where our hotel is was evacuated, so we gathered in the hotel lounges, restaurants and lobbies to console and comfort each other.
I was sad to leave. I couldn’t wait to get home. I was so happy to be there with my running family. I wished I could have been anywhere else. So many contradictory feelings.
One thing is for sure. This was our day. No one will steal it from us. I don’t know how we will find the money to go back, but we will. I have to. This isn’t a question. I will run Boston 2014.
We felt the love from those who couldn’t be there. We really did. If you can, go for a run. If you can’t, encourage others who can. We are all in this together.
Thank you for sharing your story. You captured perfectly the horrible mix of emotions so many of us are experiencing. I have been to Boston as a spectator and now I am determined to find my way there as a runner. Love and pride to you and all who were at the marathon.
I have always laughed and said, ” I only run if someone is chasing me.” Well, this is a new day and time! I am inspired beyond words and will now begin running for those who cannot. It may be a long time before I run my first marathon, but I vow to run my first race with in the year. My prayers go out to all who have been affected by this horrific event and I have been personally inspired by Mrs. Carri Gaudion who completed 25.73 miles, but ran the race of a lifetime! I am ordering my T-shirt and will wear it proudly.
I’m so happy to have this list; I will share it with my friends and family. I, too, would love to have this as a tech shirt! Thanks so much for all you do.
Great list. Thank you. I want to help out and have felt powerless to do anything.
I ordered a shirt. Thanks for giving us a way to help out. I also am determined to continue running and have signed up to run 26.2 miles this month. I also will go donate blood… I haven’t in years (with birthing 4 kids and all) so now I will. All of this really shows how strong the running community is. Thank you.
Dimity and Sarah,
THANK YOU for your immediate action and for using both your hearts, heads and wide-spread “voices” (blog, social media presence and blog) to rally support for Boston runners, fans and families this week! All 3 of my kids (11,10, & 5) wore our race shirts in strong support yesterday, but we must all RUN on and not let our prayers, positive support and passion for the goodness/GREATNESS of MOTHER RUNNERS…ALL RUNNERS everywhere lose momentum as the days and weeks pass.
Looking forward to getting my AMR Boston Heart Run shirts and gifting them to the other 3 most inspirational and supportive Women Runners in my life! We will wear the Bright Blue Heart with honor and RUN, always RUN with a prayer in our heart for those who can not!
Love, Peace, and Happy, Healthy Running,
Molly
Go Running Mom
Hi, I’m another mother runner from Italy. I’d like to purchase the ‘run remember’ tee-shirt. You could ship it to a friend of mine in Olympia, WA. May I do the purchasing from Italy paying by credit card? I see the field USA is the only option to check.. Thank you!
I’m having trouble ordering the heart run shirt. When I indicate the size and quantity, I click on Add to Cart and nothing happens. Any suggestions? Thank you!
I figured it out. Thanks so much! Ordered 2 shirts. I agree with a previous comment, that it would be great if the shirts were 50/50 or technical tees….but I’ll take them either way! Thanks!
Ordered a Boston run heart shirt- love it. Thank you.
I ordered mine! I will be running everyday (started Tuesday) and will continue until I reach 26.2 miles.
I am going to wear it proudly to every race event.
Thank you!
This is so awesome! Thank you for sharing links.
If anyone is looking for one more way to help, a friend of mine and I have designed custom T-Shirts to honor those who have been affected by this tragedy. You can buy one at the link below and the full commission ($10) will go towards relief efforts in Boston.
http://skreened.com/janeofsometrades/keep-running-boston-2522120
Thanks!
I want the t shirt with the shoe track mark across it. I am just not learning to walk with out a cane, can;t do running, but random acts of kindness are my thing. do them all the time. the look on people’s face is priceless. I was the recipient of one last Sunday.
The Recover shirts are now sold out – but we are doing a 2nd printing with similar shirts here: http://www.stirlingpromotions.com/mrtt—never-forget-boston.html
Pam – Moms RUN This Town
I want the t shirt with the shoe footprint, how? where?
The Recover shirts are now sold out – but we are doing a 2nd printing with similar shirts here: http://www.stirlingpromotions.com/mrtt—never-forget-boston.html
Pam – Moms RUN This Town
Thank you for posting this! It’s nice to have it all in one place. Just bought the heart run shirt – love it!
I love all of these lists I’m finding to help Boston. I ordered my ‘Run’ t-shirt!!! Working to get my 26.2 in this week – 23 miles ran so far, 3.2 left to go.
Thank you so much Dimity and Sarah for including our design in your list!! The shoe print shirt (and one with the Boston Skyline) can be found here: http://www.stirlingpromotions.com/mrtt—never-forget-boston.html – such a great list and we are compiling our own and adding your run heart shirt :) <3
Pam – Moms RUN This Town
Do they only come in white?
Thank you for posting this link. I just ordered the shoe shirt, I love it and can’t wait to get it!
Thanks for including our Chicago race! There’s a virtual option too-join in!
Thank you for including our race in your post!
Have the heart run shirts shipped yet?
Thanks!
No matter if some one searches for his essential thing, so he/she wants to be available that in detail,
therefore that thing is maintained over here.
I haven’t checked in here for some time since I thought it was getting boring, but the last few posts are good quality so I guess I will add you back to my everyday bloglist. You deserve it my friend :)