I have a confession to make. While I love the online fundraising page, new since I did this for the first time back in '01, as a long-time user of blogger, I have a hard time keeping this "blog" updated. Example - I just spent about 15 minutes writing a post about a new fundraising effort I'm launching today, just in time for Valentine's Day. I don't know what I did - I hit enter in an effort to write some text after adding an image - and mysteriously I was on some completely different page, with nothing saved. Sad face.

Yes, I know it could be worse. Much worse. But it's still annoying. At any rate, rather than writing all that down again, may I kindly redirect you to my other not-always-about-running blog? There you'll find all the details - but in a nutshell, donate $10 by February 7th for a gift-ready box of 6 chocolate covered candied orange slices. PLUS, you'll be entered in a drawing to win one of three pieces of handmade glass bead jewelry donated by my aunt, Jolina Adams. Feel free to let me know which item you're coveting most (there are two necklaces and one pair of earrings).

By the way, this is me! Running! Up a hill! Last week in Oakland's own Redwood Regional Park. It was torturous - I mean - gorgeous! In fact, I think the picture is a bit blurry because I'm that fast.

Congrats to Sammie, Amanda F., Amanda H.-F., Laura, and Margaret on their raffle wins last month! And thank you to everyone who contributed before recommitment. I didn't quite reach my fundraising minimum but I'm getting awfully close!

With a New Year, how about another raffle? Along with three other teammates, I'm organizing yet another raffle for an in-store fundraising event on Sunday, January 22, from 11 am to 1 pm at See Jane Run in Oakland. Check out the Facebook event page for all the details and sneak peeks of goody bag goodies, raffle items, etc. Hope to see you there! To buy raffle tickets for the in-store drawing (you don't have to be at the event to win!) please make a donation right here. Raffle tickets are 2/$5 or 10/$20!

Congrats to Brian & family and Meredith, winners of my November 30th raffle! Thanks again for the support and I hope you enjoy your goodies. I have another raffle starting today, including not one, not two, but TWELVE items up for grabs for anyone who donates between today, December 1st, and December 17th (that's "recommitment"!). And, this raffle includes items handmade by fellow Etsy sellers, all geared toward runners.

I've included a sneak peek of all twelve products on my blog, including this custom purple 26.2 marathon no-slip elastic headband by Leanne of SlipNotHeadware on Etsy. I'll be highlighting the twelve items, one each day, on my other blog between today and Dec. 12th so hop on over to check out all the goodies, and make a donation right here, in any amount $5 and up, to qualify for the raffle. Check out this post for a recap of how raffle entries are handled. Happy Holidays and happy running!

One more thing...I've been thinking a lot about how I'm handling raffle entries and I'd like to change it up a bit in an effort to open the raffle to folks who might not be able to contribute a minimum of $25 (did you know you can contribute any amount?). Instead of one measly entry per every $25 you donate, I'm going to do the following instead, copied verbatim from my amazing mentor (and wedding planner nearly 7 years ago!) Laura:

$5 = one entry

$10 = 2 entries

$15 = 3 entries

$20 = 4 entries

If you donate $25-$99, you will receive matching entries per dollar donation, so for $25 you get 25 entries, for $38 you get 38 entries, and so on. For a donation of $100 or more, you get double entries, so $100 = 200 entries, $125 = 250 entries.

I think I'll do what she did as well and employ Random.org to sort out the winners for me. Winners will be announced right here on Wednesday, December 1st!

This just in! I've received another donation for my November 30th early bird incentive raffle - this gorgeous fused glass pendant by another local Etsian, Berkeley-based Elayne Isaacs.

And, the main color is TNT purple! I've added a very basic choker chain that you could easily switch out for a chain of your own, and the lucky raffle winner will receive this in a purple organza gift bag. So that's two wonderful items up for grabs if you donate before November 30th! You'll notice I've already surpassed the $500 mark (Yay! Thank you to those who have donated so far!) but I wanted to include another incentive for prospective donors so that I can get my fundraising well underway before the end of the calendar year and the beginning of the double-digit runs! Yikes! So donate today and you'll be entered in the raffle to win either the AngelMade eco spa gift set (see previous post) or this beautiful fused glass pendant.

And as always, thanks so much for your support!