The Date is Set!
| By Joe Jovanovich - Jan 20th, 2007 at 11:25 pm EST |
| Also listed in: Sudan Freedom Walk Chicago |
It's amazing to finally see it written down, typed out, and posted wherever we can find blank space: Saturday, May 5th, 2007. That's the date for The Sudan Freedom Walk in Chicago. Finally being able to confirm it's date isn't just an important step in solidifying our plans. It is also an amazing mental trumpet call - this thing is really going to happen.
Ready or not, in less than 4 month, this event will occur. Now the only question is, how much can we do together to ensure it will be as impactful as possible?
In late August 2006, I was sitting in my friend's apartment when my old friend Dave Bredhoff called me. I had just seen Dave two months earlier at a convention where he had won an award for his critical involvement in the original Sudan Freedom Walk. Dave told me he was leaving for Africa in one month to join the Peace Corps, but that he wanted to ensure the Freedom Walk would continue. He asked me to help spread it to Chicago.
At that time, I was inclined to say no. I really didn't know much about Sudan. Above that, I had just started a new job at a non-profit (a good deed enough, right?) that had me reeling on my heels, and was in the process of moving into a new apartment.
I can't imagine having missed out on this opportunity due to such mundane issues. But of course, it is always so easy to get caught up in the stress of everyday life. By the power of suggestion, we convince ourselves that we really already are doing all we can.
Obviously, though, I agreed to help Dave. Not only because I value his friendship and ideals, but because it only took a very brief exploration into Sudanese affairs to shrink the significance of my daily problems to inconsiderable sizes.
Now, 5 months later, I can't believe how far we've come, and how many people - with so little prodding - have jumped right on board. Sure, I wish we had 6 more months to plan as opposed to 3. But, the people of Sudan cannot wait. And, even with just 3 months, our team committed team will pull it off with the help of the amazing community of activists in Chicago.
Today, with the date officially set, it is as though what before existed in simply hypothetical terms just shot into reality like a meteorite. And I couldn't be more excited.
Ready or not, in less than 4 month, this event will occur. Now the only question is, how much can we do together to ensure it will be as impactful as possible?
In late August 2006, I was sitting in my friend's apartment when my old friend Dave Bredhoff called me. I had just seen Dave two months earlier at a convention where he had won an award for his critical involvement in the original Sudan Freedom Walk. Dave told me he was leaving for Africa in one month to join the Peace Corps, but that he wanted to ensure the Freedom Walk would continue. He asked me to help spread it to Chicago.
At that time, I was inclined to say no. I really didn't know much about Sudan. Above that, I had just started a new job at a non-profit (a good deed enough, right?) that had me reeling on my heels, and was in the process of moving into a new apartment.
I can't imagine having missed out on this opportunity due to such mundane issues. But of course, it is always so easy to get caught up in the stress of everyday life. By the power of suggestion, we convince ourselves that we really already are doing all we can.
Obviously, though, I agreed to help Dave. Not only because I value his friendship and ideals, but because it only took a very brief exploration into Sudanese affairs to shrink the significance of my daily problems to inconsiderable sizes.
Now, 5 months later, I can't believe how far we've come, and how many people - with so little prodding - have jumped right on board. Sure, I wish we had 6 more months to plan as opposed to 3. But, the people of Sudan cannot wait. And, even with just 3 months, our team committed team will pull it off with the help of the amazing community of activists in Chicago.
Today, with the date officially set, it is as though what before existed in simply hypothetical terms just shot into reality like a meteorite. And I couldn't be more excited.
Comments are closed for this post.
I already wrote it down in my planner!
I want to do all I can to help make that day the most exciting and productive day! I have been in a march before, well it wasn't that long ago..The immigration March with all the Yellow Shirts. Hee hee.
But I'm very excited and pumped.
I have 2 younger sisters in High School and i'm going to urge them to start a group for the Dollars For Darfur, I wish i was still in High school for that reason!
I'm thinking of getting enough material and people, maybe I could go speak at my high school. Just a thought. But maybe,...just maybe!
I really want to go to a group meeting around the area. And I'm waiting for one, but maybe I shouldn't. Maybe I should create one? Any Ideas. What part of Chicago are you basing at?
Hope to hear from you soon.
P.S. i'm also thinking of making a ribbon or button that'll spread awareness in some way, that i could give out to customers that go into Hollywood Video. (Since i work there)
I doubt it, but i'll ask my boss if we could put a box for money for Darfur and with that I'll order braclets and give them back to the customers who gave?! Sounds complcated! :( I'm bursting with ideas....I'll shut up now.
Laters