Why I am running 
Operation Christmas Child is a project that is near and dear to my family. We've seen videos of children receiving shoeboxes filled with gifts and how happy they are to get them. Those images made a lasting impact on us. We have even received letters from the children expressing their joy after receiving our shoeboxes.
Lives can be so easily impacted. I saw this personally on a mission trip to Africa (photo at left).

While we have contributed shoeboxes to our church's shoebox collection drive for the past few years, we wanted to do more. It is my hope that this run across North Dakota will result in more shoeboxes and donations for Operation Christmas Child.

Why run in North Dakota?
North Dakota is my home, and I've found the people in
this state to be caring and very willing to help others. Together, we can bring joy to many children.

Why run in November?
While North Dakota's weather is quite cool in November,
I have seen children living outdoors in worse conditions. On a mission trip to China, I saw kids living in cardboard boxes on the street in weather colder than North Dakota in November. Running in the cold is the least I can do.
I hope my run reminds people of how fortunate we are and how many children can find joy in a simple shoebox filled with gifts.

Who are you?
First and foremost, I am proud to be a servant of Jesus Christ. It is His love that is the greatest gift of all, and this is the message Samaritan's Purse conveys to children around the world through Operation Christmas Child.

I am employed in the emergency medicine field in Fargo, North Dakota, where I live with my wife and two sons.
I am actively involved in my local church and began running regularly in 2005.