Going nuclear.

I had the privilege to hear Dr. Walter Kimbrough, the President of Philander Smith College, during a Presidents' Panel at a higher ed conference last month. He is known as the Hip Hop Prez, and the guy had me at "hello." He told a story about getting his daughter into a particular public elementary school in Arkansas, and if he didn't get his way, he was "going nuclear." Well, folks. Here's me. I'm going nuclear.

What now, you ask? I'll make it short. My goal is to raise $3000.

On April 30, People for Care and Learning is hosting the Run for Hope--a fundraising opportunity during the Country Music Marathon. The CMM is a hugely popular marathon and half marathon in Nashville, TN that I've enjoyed running with dozens of Lee University alumni and friends, but this year I'm running for PCL. I have never witnessed an organization do all that this one does, especially for the people of Cambodia.  Because it would take me 27 days to tell you about it,  I'm going to take 27 days to do it. For the month of April I want to tell you about the Herculean efforts of People for Care and Learning. Jake has traveled with this organization twice in the last year, and he can testify to the genuine care and integrity of its leadership both locally and in Southeast Asia.

We're all stretched and committed to many, many projects, but if you would like to help me reach my goal, here are few amounts to consider:

• $13 - I'm running the half marathon. I've been training like it's my job, and I'm expecting a PR. 
• $26 - Run for Hope is a Country Music Marathon thing. That's 26.2 miles. It's on my bucket list. 
• $5/mile - It's a nice round number. ($65)
• $100 - You would be astounded at what $100 could do for a community learning to utilize a tilapia pond and a pig farm. 

I've created a giving website at http://www.active.com/donate/pclrunforhope/mstum.  If you want to send a good old fashioned check, that works great, too. Checks can be made directly to People for Care and Learning or to me to pass along.

The Stums
134 Woods Trl NE
Cleveland, TN 37323

Okay, one day down. 26 to go--nuclear style.