Last Saturday I was able to check one item off my to-do list as I completed my first-ever road race, and a seven-mile one at that!  With assistance from the Friends of Fairwinds and Fellowship's own Fairwinds Clubhouse, Fellowship Health Resources, Inc. fielded its first team to run in the prestigious Falmouth Road Race.
 
I, along with Fairwinds Clubhouse member Rachel Grinnell, formed "Team Fairwinds." Together we ran to challenge the stigma surrounding mental illness, as well as to raise money towards the purchase of a new home for Fairwinds.  Through the generosity of many supporters, Team Fairwinds has raised almost $40,000 to date.  While the running of the race may be over, there is still time to help us reach our finish line goal of $70,000.  To contribute a gift in support of our team, you may mail a check made out to "Friends of Fairwinds" addressed to my attention at 25 Blackstone Valley Place, Suite 300, Lincoln, RI  02865, or you may visit my donation page at www.firstgiving.com 
 
The race itself was memorable on several levels, particularly the kinship we formed with a team from Genesis Clubhouse, a well-respected organization led by Executive Director Kevin Bradley, and located in Worcester, Massachusetts.  Together, Team Genesis and Team Fairwinds raised almost $70,000!  At this time of uncertainty around funding for clubhouse programs and the role they should play in the reorganized mental health system, it was encouraging to see clubhouse members, staff, and contributors come together, work hard, and truly make a difference in people's lives. 
 
I am proud to be among the estimated 10,000 runners that left Woods Hole on the seven mile, often-hilly, route bound for the finish line in Falmouth Heights.  The satisfaction of knowing that my run helped to increase mental health awareness, as well as raise funds for Fairwinds Clubhouse, underscored my satisfaction with completing my first race.  I invite you to view a video of the event here.