When I ran the Antarctica marathon I fund raised for the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund. Due to the incredible generosity of friends, family and Active.com community members, I was able to raise more than $5,000 for injured Marines and their families. I know that I took my obligation to the organization very seriously. Even a few dollars would be more than they had, but I frequently worried about raising "enough" to make a difference. A few of my running friends are taking time out of their busy schedules to do good for others and I wanted to support them in their endeavours by sharing their organizations:

Ashley: Etgarim

Ashley and I went to college together, and now we're both getting our Ph.Ds in clinical psychology studying addictions. Ashley rocks at life and is as sweet, beautiful and athletic as she is smart (sorry boys, she's taken). Her goal is to raise $1,800 for Etgarim via her participation in the NYC Marathon.

"Etgarim (which means challenges in Hebrew) was established in 1995 as a non-profit organization by a group of disabled Israel Defense Force (IDF) veterans and rehabilitation experts. The principal aims of the organization are to enable children, adolescents, and adults with special needs to realize their optimum potential, to enhance their abilities, and to integrate within society at large. These aims are achieved through outdoor and adventure training. Through educational rehabilitation, Etgarim facilitates personal growth, enhanced self-confidence, the nurturing of excellence, and improved self-esteem. To date, Etgarim has opened up a new world and a variety of options for over half a million Israelis. Today over 5,000 children and teenagers with different disabilities participate in its activities, as well as 700 adults from over 100 communities around Israel.

Today there are some 50,000 special needs children in Israel. Their disabilities range from physical disabilities to autism, Downs syndrome, trauma, and paralysis. Of those 50,000, Etgarim reaches only 5,000. This year Etgarim has set itself the goal of expanding the programs to reach even more children."

Click here to support Ashley and Etgarim.

Karl's Run for Clean Water

I know Karl from running the Marine Corps Marathon. A Naval Academy alum, to the best of my knowledge, Karl has succeeded at everything he has put his mind to, but remains humble about his accomplishments. One of the most consistent and dedicated runners I know, Karl's goal is to raise $7,500 for clean water by running the Las Vegas Marathon.

"Every week, millions of women and their children walk more than 14 miles just to get water for their families. Most of this water is contaminated, but it's the only water they have. They take the chance of catching diseases like bilharzia and schistosomiasis (parasites) - with every sip. There's nothing they can do to change it.

100% of all donations go directly to water projects, and each donation is "proved" when projects are complete. A $20 donation will provide clean water for one person for twenty years."

Karl's donations are being matched. Click here to help support Karl's Run for Clean Water.

Toby: Outdoor Outreach

I know Toby through Active.com. As community development specialist and endurance expert extraordinaire, Toby has given me lots of great advice and nudged me towards ultra running and triathlons. Toby isn't running anything in particular for Outdoor Outreach, but I'm not sure he needs to: in the last few years, Toby has raced nearly every race distance, including two 100 milers and an Iron distance triathlon. Toby's goal is to raise $1,000 for Outdoor Outreach.

"Outdoor Outreach programs support underserved youth in San Diego County who are at risk for school dropout, substance abuse, violence and unintended pregnancy. This is the only agency in San Diego and one of just a few in the country that utilizes *outdoor physical experiences *to provide youth with the support, relationships, resources and opportunities they need to become successful adults. Watch the video.

Some ideas of where your donation(s) goes to the below:

1. Support 15 youth at a surf camp in southern California $500.00

2. Purchase snowboarding lift tickets for 13 youth $250.00

3. Send one youth on a multi-day climbing trip to Joshua Tree $100.00

4. Transportation for 1 surf trip $50.00

5. 1 pair of rock climbing shoes for youth participant $25.00"

Click here to support Toby's fund raising efforts for Outdoor Outreach.