As an teroGO ambassador and Back on My Feet core team volunteer, I’m SUPER excited about the launch of the teroGO virtual race benefitting Back on My Feet!
How long have you been involved with BoMF?
I met Guillermo, Martin, and a few other BoMF members at an Atlas Decathlon Tuesday fun run last November and then ran the Great Santa Run with BoMF last December. I became a regular morning volunteer this year and more recently started helping out as part of the core team for Team SOMA (with Team Tenderloin and Team 360 being the other two teams in the city). I’ve really enjoyed getting to know the SOMA core team, amazing members, volunteers, and of course Cricket, our fearless leader and San Francisco Program Director!
Why did you initially get involved with them?
I joined the circle because BoMF combines the power of community and a healthy, active lifestyle to combat homelessness, which is one of the biggest problems our city faces. Going to the first run, and having since heard the same thing from other new volunteers, I think one of the coolest things is that a new volunteer not only wouldn’t be able to tell who’s a member and who’s a volunteer, but in our circle, it doesn’t matter. We’re all just there to support each other and run or walk together.
What kinds of work do you do with BoMF, and what do they do in general?
Back on My Feet is a national nonprofit combating homelessness through the power of running and community across chapters in 13 cities. I love seeing news about members as they take steps towards finding employment and housing through the program, as well as setting PRs at our monthly timed miles and hitting walking/running distance milestones. I run or walk with Team SOMA every Monday morning at 5:45 am and help out wherever I can, whether that’s helping to take attendance, sending weekly updates to volunteers, or making signs to cheer for members and volunteers who ran the San Francisco Half Marathon or Marathon at the end of last month! Yes, it’s early in the morning, but I can’t think of a better way to start off your day! Hopefully, I’ll see you in the circle soon!
Follow David’s BoMF and other adventures on the teroGO app: @dtran or his blog about running and startups.