I sent an inquiry email to Children of Peru Foundation, asking about charity entries for 2018, and if they were even going to participate. To my surprise, I got a reply within five minutes. Okay, it was basically instantaneous. We both agreed it was a little early to think about the London Marathon 2018. However, after a few months of communication, I was set to go – the first official team member for the Children of Peru Foundation London Marathon 2018 team.

Due to rising costs of the race, the new fundraising amount was also raised. Instead of $5,000 like the 2017 team, I committed to raise $6,000. The benefit of committing early was that I was locked in at $6,000. The organization was still trying to figure out their fundraising costs, and thought it could rise to as much as $7,500. No way! I sucked it up and committed to the low fundraising goal of $6,000.

Fundraising has always been an interest of mine. As a child, my favorite part about being a Girl Scout was selling the famous Girl Scout cookies. I spent summers with my little brother, going door to door, selling raffle tickets for his basketball team. Fundraising was something I could do. You just methodically go through the motions, be creative, and rack up the donation dollars. I could do it.

Since 2013, I’ve fundraised each December for the Dressember cause. The Dressember Foundation raises money for A21 and International Justice Mission – two organizations that are fighting human trafficking. I wear a dress each day of themonth, and get family and friends to donate. However, this year would be solely focused on fundraising for Children of Peru Foundation.

Initial fundraising went okay. I sent an email to family and friends, and then began to push a social media campaign. Over the course of several months, I would post something to social media – specifically Facebook and Instagram – at least once a week. I was on social media sooooo much.

Over the next several months, the amount raised steadily increased. The generosity of my friends and family was encouraging. As an added incentive, for every donation of $45 or more, I would knit a handknit chullo and send it to the donor. Over the course of the months, I knit several dozens of chullos, but with about a month to go, I was still short some funds. I had to do something drastic.

I hate water. I used to swim as a kid, but over the years I’ve developed a fear of water. So I hate water. As a throwback to all the dresses I’ve worn over the years to raise funds for causes, I decided that if I raised all my funds by a certain time, I would get in water…in my high school formal dress. I hadn’t been in water for at least 20 years.

I thought this would be a win-win situation. Either I’d raise all the funds (raising $6,000 is a daunting, stressful task) and then have to face my fear, OR, I wouldn’t raise the funds, but I wouldn’t have to get in water either. And then my credit card would fill in the funds I was short. Well, I raised all the funds necessary, with a few days to spare. I was going in the water.