Find 52: Sonya's Extra Mile

The tragedy of life doesn’t lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach.
Benjamin Mays Civil Rights leader

Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.
T. S. Eliot Poet

Wait a minute. So, I’m running?

When I first met my husband nine years ago I couldn’t have imagined we’d start a literacy charity, let alone run – in admittedly a smaller capacity compared to Richard – as a Turtle in July 2017.

I’m not sure how he does it. Richard runs for hours on end, in extreme heat or punishing cold weather, and manages to keep going. I wish I had half his mental stamina – what we refer to as the ​“Treasure Chest.” But this year, I am determined to jump in and go the extra mile. I hope you’ll join me as a donor.

In 2018, we will continue to run the island of St Lucia with thousands of students in relay teams. Despite blistering heat and humidity and relentless hills, these kids are eager to show us how it really gets done – and many actually sprint! They don’t realize we’ve been running all day (and will carry on tomorrow, too) nor do they care. Ah, to be young again!

My Goal

My goal is to have 52 names added to a scroll inserted into our special batons that will in fact be carried by St Lucia kids. A $20 pledge of support will see your name on this scroll. In effect, you’ll be going the distance with me this July.



It’s a modest fundraising goal – but it’s part of a much larger campaign vision to raise $52,000.

If Richard has taught me anything (as a runner!) it’s that we can always go further than ever thought possible. I have seen him, go mile after mile, without complaint. So, join me and you too can go the extra mile for literacy.

I am grateful to the following 2018 supporters:

UPDATED: Tuesday, July 10, 2018
Shannon Moore; Danielle Holmes; Lana Button; Stacey Giffen; Cheryl Van Ooteghem; Kadri Jessop; Jen and Ian Rosa-Dupuis; Judy Cathcart; Sandra Levy; Angela Whetham; Janine Hotham; Anonymous; Lori Sherrit-Fleming; Jennifer Jager; Carolyn Mills; Mark Howe; Crystal and Mark Pellizzari; Susan Cook; Kari-Lynn Winters; Peggy Collins; Mary Ellen Belanger

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Ready to go again at Derniere Riviere School. image
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In Words & Pictures

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Students at Laguerre Combined school did an amazing job running! Ready to hand off batons to the next group.
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Day 3 of 5 and these kids are still wanting to sprint ahead of us!
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Richard and I capture a quiet moment at Pigeon Point. Beautiful spot!
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The community at Belle Vue comes out to support the runners and sing 'Happy Birthday' to Marlaina.
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Nigel laughs at me when I ask, 'How hilly is this next part?'
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Love when students offer to help out!
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What an amazing display of support and love of reading from Derniere Riviere kids.
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It was a long, hot and hilly stretch, but this student was so proud when we 'made it' to the end of his mile.
Students at Laguerre Combined school did an amazing job running! Ready to hand off batons to the next group. image
Day 3 of 5 and these kids are still wanting to sprint ahead of us! image
Richard and I capture a quiet moment at Pigeon Point. Beautiful spot! image
The community at Belle Vue comes out to support the runners and sing 'Happy Birthday' to Marlaina. image
Nigel laughs at me when I ask, 'How hilly is this next part?' image
Love when students offer to help out! image
What an amazing display of support and love of reading from Derniere Riviere kids. image
It was a long, hot and hilly stretch, but this student was so proud when we 'made it' to the end of his mile. image
2018

Find 52: Sonya's Extra Mile

$1,594

raised of $1,040 goal

Campaign concluded on Tue, July 31 2018 12:30 AM EDT

153

% raised
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Find 52: Coyotes
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Find 52: Robin's Runners
Fundraising is an Uphill Battle
In January 2015, I ran 52 miles in Grenada. Let me dismiss athletic motives; it so happens 52 miles gets you all the way around the island. I did it for money – $40,000 – all of which went to OneWorld Schoolhouse. CTV National news ran the story on May 25, 2015 and so began Find 52.

All men should strive to learn before they die what they are running from, and to, and why.

James Thurber
International Literacy Day 2016
Soufrière Primary ran a relay on September 8, 2016 to celebrate reading. The event was filmed as part of the "run-up" to our first Find 52 Thousand campaign in 2017. Over 1,000 students from grade 3-12 ran 1 mile segments right around St. Lucia.

Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.

Albert Einstein
(1879-1955)
Find 52 started in Grenada
52 miles gets you right around this small, beautiful island. Companions on the second day included: Philip Clift from Petite Anse Hotel, an enthusiastic young boy and one very fit dog named "Dodgy".

The world is a book and those who do not travel read only a page.

ST. AUGUSTINE
Finding the way for Fundraising
Olympian Jake Holden and Richard Clewes survey the route for Find 52 in January 2016. The duo were joined by St. Lucian Olympic athletes and members of the Royal St. Lucia Police Force.

A road is a song, a poem, a movie, an adventure. It's hope and optimism, and inquisitiveness.

A. A. GILL
The Angry Isle