Over the next few weeks, the Lokahi Giving Project will be asking for your help to make the holidays a little brighter for some of Hawaii's struggling families.
There are lots of ways to help. You can adopt-a-family, conduct your own holiday drive, volunteer at one our many events, or you can run the Honolulu Marathon.
Well...not exactly.
Thousands turn out every year for the Honolulu Marathon. If running 26.2 miles isn't your thing, maybe walking 6.2 miles is.
This December, the Honolulu Marathon is partnering with Lokahi to add a little cheer to this holiday season. Everyone who signs up for the marathon race day walk will have their entire entry fee of $70 donated to Lokahi.
This partnership is the brainchild of 93-year old Gladys Burrill.
"Glady" as she is affectionately known, is well known in the marathon community.
She completed her first marathon in 2004, at the age of 86.
Last December, she completed her fifth marathon. For that feat she was entered in the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest female to ever finish a marathon. Her time? Just over 9 hours, 53 minutes.
Glady has lived an amazing life. She was married for almost 69 years and had six children. She has been a multi-engine airplane pilot, a desert hiker, and a mountain climber. Yet, it's her desire to give back that I find so inspiring.
Glady was born poor in the hills of southwestern Washington. Her father died when she was two so her mother raised her and her five siblings.
She remembers what the holidays were like when her family could not afford Christmas gifts.
"Going back to school after Christmas, the others were talking about what they got for Christmas and it wasn't very much but they got something and that I have to say, I got nothing," she says.
Glady wants all of Hawaii's children to experience the Christmas joy that she missed growing up. And that's why she chose Lokahi has the beneficiary for this year's walk.
It's not too late to sign up and walk with team "Gladyator." All you have to do is go to honolulumarathon.org, click on "Registration" then click on "Events Online." Don't forget to type in "Team Gladyator" for the discount code so your entry fee goes to Lokahi.
Deadline is November 27.
