"Tri"ing To Raise Money For Our Grunts: Welcome

Tri ing To Raise Money For Our Grunts

We Race In Their Honor Because They Serve In Ours !

Dear Supporters, 3 1/2 years ago I began to support forward deployed Marines in harm's way. After 2 years and nearly $20,000 out of pocket, "Support Our Marines, Inc" was formed so that I could expand the impact we would have on the lives of the most forward deployed Marines living in some of the most austere of locations in the Middle East.

3 1/2 years and closing in on 4 thousand packages to 89 Companies of Marines later ...we continue on.

We ship out 60 plus packages a month to our heroes and our shipping expenses alone take up 1/2 of our relatively small $24,000 annual needs with the rest of money used for requested items not donated, pictures and cards. Support Our Marines typically receives supplies to fill 75 - 80 boxes a month but is limited to funds available for shipping.

Support Our Marines, Inc is an all volunteer organization with 95% of all donations going directly to our Marines. To see the impact we have made on our nation's Heroes please visit www.supportourmarinesinc.org

In a sport where people pay thousands of dollars for the lightest gear and most hi tech equipment, I am endevouring on my first full race season which will include 150 miles of running, biking and swiming with the runs and bikes in regulation combat boots, 4 pound flack helmet and 15 pound pack . What began last year as a one time thank to our heroes has turned into an incredible journey to honor our heroes in the Middle East and to thank them in my own pansy civilian sort of way.

I am blessed to be able to combine my two greatest passions , supporting our Marines in harm's way and fitness and hope that you will join me in this adventure.

For the 09 Race Season, I will be running all races in utes and boots of course and all 10k and under in 23 pounds of field gear .... Relay Team Support Our Marines will be out and about at various triathlons as well.

There are several ways you can help and, thanks to our Partners at The Marine Corps League, Det 57, all donations are TAX DEDUCTIBLE

A) All donations are gratefully accepted but for a minimum of a $30.00 annual donation, athletic supporters (small pun intended) can become "Tri ing To Raise Money For Our Grunts" member which will include a " Team Tri ing To Raise Money For Our grunts Supporter " T Shirt with our "Support Our Marines" logo on the front

B) Athletes can become a TTRMFOG member for an annual membership fee of $30 which will include a "Team Tri ing To Raise Money For Our Grunts" Shirt

If you prefer to donate by check, please make checks payable to:

MCL, Det 57

PO Box 46503

St Pete Beach, Fl 33741

please note "Tri ing To Raise Money For Our Grunts!" in memo and shirt size if applicable

Politicians who won't win anyway raise millions of dollars a day, can't we raise $24,00 a year for our heroes who sacrifice so much?

Donations received:

$0		$ 24,000
	106.036%	Goal

Click here to donate now!

Want To Support A Marine In Harm's Way But Don't Know How?

Team Tri ing To Raise Money For Our Grunts!

Visit Us On Our Official FaceBook Page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Team-Tri-ing-To-Raise-Money-For-Our-Grunts/51475285527 to support the team and view additional race pictures

Team Tri ing in the news: http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2009/4/26/465255.html?title=Triathletes+run+for+fitness,+causes

Team "Tri Ing To Raise Money For our Grunts!" was formed for .... you guessed it .. raising money to help support the most forward deployed Marines serving in some of the most austere locations in a unique and gratifying way. Our goal is to have a Team "Tri ing to Raise Money For Our Grunts!" member in every state so, PLEASE pass along this site to every athlete you know.

Dianne Villano, founder of "Support Our Marines, Inc." competed in her first sprint triathlon ever in August of 08 ... in over 20 pounds of the field gear that our heroes wear while forward deployed. She finished 58/68 in the novice division with a 9.45 swim, 40.41 bike (with 30 pounds) and 39.26 run (with 22 pounds). You can view training and event pictures by clicking the "Album" button on the left.

What started as an effort to send a humble one time "thank - you" to our heroes in harm's way has turned into a full on adventure to continue on.

For those of you who love to swim, bike, run or all of the above, this is the place to do what you love to do while raising money for those who sacrifice so much for their country. Your $30.00 annual membership fee will include a " Team Tri ing To Raise Money For Our Grunts!" T Shirt. Our hope is that you will commit , at least once per season tp "enlist" your friends, family members and co workers to sponsor you for one of your events. It's super easy to set up a fundraising center (literally a few taps on the keyboard) . You can always shoot us an email at Dianne@supportourmarinesinc.org if you need any help.

For the REAL hard chargers out there, I challenge you to do any 5K or above in utes and boots and to enlist your friends, family members and co workers to sponsor your efforts !

Athletes can join Team "Tri ing To Raise Money For Our Grunts!" here: http://www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=1636515

ALL membership fees will go directly to "Support Our Marines",Inc.

Athletic Supporters (small pun intended) can help too. With any donation of $30.00 or more, you will receive a "Tri ing To Raise Money For Our Grunts!" Supporter T. Please visit our donations page for other options.

"Support Our Marines, Inc." believes in giving back to our Heroes who leave their families, risk their lives and sacrifice so much for a country they love. "Tri ing To Raise Money For Our Grunts!" is an opportunity to use the abilities we have been given to make a difference in this world. Be it by competing or just supporting someone who does, you will know that 95% of all money raised goes straight to support our Marines in the Middle East. "Support Our Marines, Inc." is an all volunteer organization which has sent nearly 3700 packages to 77 Companies of Marines in the past 3 years. Please visit their website at www.supportourmarinesinc.org to see the impact that this small but motivated little non profit has made so far!

Planned 09 adventures for Dianne & Team "Tri ing To Raise Money For Our Grunts!" I will be working hard for the money this year so, PLEASE be sure to tell a friend who would like to support a Marine in harm's way wither by making a donation , by becoming a fundraiser or just by joining the Team. Links to each event are listed on the calander !

In an effort to raise $24,000 to support our Marines in harm's way, I am endevouring on a 200 mile race season for 09 and Team Support Our Marines will be out representing as well

17 Jan 8th Annual Bolt 5 milers

24                     Jan St Jude’s Run With The Nuns       5k
08 Feb               Chilly Willy Duathlon
14 Feb               Sun Coast Race For The Kids      10k
28 Feb               Gasparilla Distance Classic        15K

13 Mar Bay to Bay 12K
11 April Escape from Ft Desoto Triathlon – Runner, Relay Team

26 April St Anthony’s Triathlon - Runner, Relay Team

17 May Race for Shelter 5K

14 June Dunedin Triathlon

24 Jul/4Aug Clwr Beach 5K Series

01 Aug Top Gun Triathlon Individual & Relay Team

22 Aug Publix Family Fitness Tri Individual & Relay

13 Sept Sand Key Tri Individual & Relay Team

25 Oct Marine Corps Marathon scrubbed due to injury

21-22 Nov Regnar 2 day 191 Mile Relay

13 Dec 8th Annual Gulf Beaches 1/2 athon

A Special THANKS to all of the above race directors with one exception who donated our race fees. Without them, this race season would not have been possible

TEAM TRI ING TO RAISE MONEY FOR OUR GRUNTS HAS FANTASTIC SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES. Please contact dianne @ dianne@supportourmarinesinc.org or 727-742-0816

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"Tri"ing To Raise Money For Our Grunts: Welcome