Forget the 5K: Try 40 Winks for Charity

Posted on May 5th 2010 3:00PM by Kristen Seymour

Wherever you live, chances are pretty good that you have your pick of races for causes. Walk for Alzheimer's, run a 5K for cancer, do a marathon for Haiti. If you wanted to skate to raise money for people in need of a makeover, you could probably find a race for that if you tried!

But races like these face a couple of limitations. The first is obvious -- not everybody runs, and some people are just flat out uncomfortable in a race atmosphere. The second was recently reported by The New York Times -- there's a serious lack of space for all of these events, particularly in northern states where all of these activities are crammed into a few weekends between April and October to avoid the snow. Most cities only have so many venues that can house a few hundred (or few thousand) people.

The same article that pointed out that these problems offered a possible solution -- napping for charity. Hey, we all sleep (although maybe not as much as we should), and we don't need a big park or major roadway blocked off in order to do it.

Although there's no doubt the physical exertion of a race is great, there's certainly something to be said for the benefits of sleep. It can help us look younger and lose weight -- what more could you ask of something that feels so good?

According to the article, the Komen Foundation has offered something along these lines called Sleep in for the Cure, allowing people to solicit pledges for -- wait for it -- sleeping in rather than running or walking. While that's great (and we're pretty sure we could rock that option), we think that a nap in the middle of the day is a little more worthy of our pledge money. Sleeping in an hour or two is, for most folks, manageable, while a nap in the middle of the day takes a bit of planning and effort.

Another idea -- how about meditation for a cause? We can see a peaceful group mediation in a public park creating a great deal of awareness (and money!) without being a major disruption to others utilizing the area. What ideas do you have for healthful fundraisers like this?

Wishing you could work a nap into your schedule, either for charity or just for your own well-being? Check your gym -- they just might have a class for that!

11 Comment

Tags: cause, charity, fundraising, meditation, nap, napping, race, run, sleep, Susan G Komen

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

StopWastingOurTime 5-06-2010 @ 3:02PM

This is a real stupid story that wasted my time. I thought there would be an actual naping thing where people got together to raise money for charity but it turns out this story has nothing to do with that thanks for wasting my time, perhaps this writer needs a lot more sleep to write an actual worthy story Dumb Moron.

dugandob 5-06-2010 @ 7:44PM

The you should have stopped reading half way through your moron.

mo2go 5-06-2010 @ 3:18PM

My husband and daughter got excited about the idea of sleeping for a charity. There are so many different directions you could take that. Having a after lunch siesta through work to raise money. Having nap,pads, sleep masks. Utilizing an empty business as a nap store. You come in pay, get a fresh blanket, sleep mask, some sort of beverage, aromatherapy, and soothing sounds or music to listen to and all proceeds benefits the charity. Sleep in a high school gym or church to raise money for homelessness or disaster awareness like the Red Cross. Have hammocks and blankets in the park, lazy days of summer, complete with bubble machines, a mellow live band and shady spots. A mommy/daddy and me nap time. Where kids get a glass of milk and a cookie can be put down for a nap with other kids while having soothing music played and getting their backs rubbed. and mom's/dad's are treated to some relaxation time of their own.Based alone on how much teenagers like to sleep, think of the possibilities of money raised. I love the idea of meditation for peace. I am one of those of the hyper mind set that could benefit from training to learn to slow down and just relax.

sunny 5-06-2010 @ 3:55PM

I must admit, this is one of the STUPIDEST stories I have seen floated out here in a very long time.
Give us a break.
Don't we have enough stupid things to deal with?

Cwillett861 5-06-2010 @ 6:58PM

SLeeping not only helps you but it also keeps your health on an all time high. Not enough sleep can effect your health. SO Sleep & dream

Johnny-0 5-06-2010 @ 5:29PM

Oil Wrestling Tourney! you have any idea how much can be raised my a massive oil wrestling tourney? Hell you could probably host one a month and get more for each successive show.

Cwillett861 5-06-2010 @ 6:53PM

Sleeping! Great idea! Not many people get alot of sleep, so sleeping for charity would not only great but relaxing as well. And Sunny, please don't put things down, (try it )!!!you may find that sleeping is
one of the best things for yourself. Heck, I find that the more hours of sleep I get, the better I feel.

emma 5-06-2010 @ 7:29PM

My first thought was I guess Komen isn't raising enough money for "the cure" through their walks, you know, the walks where the participants have to guarantee $2,300 in pledges. Do people realize that you give them a credit card they charge if you don't get enough outside pledges? That there's a $90 non-refundable registration fee? I guess to pay for the non-stop tv ads for the walks across the country. Our country funded the NCI with over $5 billion dollars this year. Why do we need Komen grants - money should be going to patients. Want to help cancer? Go to your local oncologist center and ask who doesn't have money to eat and give them your "walk" money.

tax goddess 5-17-2010 @ 2:41PM

Obviously, you must be a frustrated walker who wasn't able to particpate in one of the events. This is my fifth year walking and fourth year crewing for the 3-Day event.

Yes, there is a registration fee. This covers some of the administrative expenses of putting on this huge event. It helps pay for your meals, the tents and showers, the insurance and the amazing staff that works endless hours to make sure that you have a safe and fabulous weekend experience. It also insures that more of the money you raise actually will go to use in fighting breast cancer than in paying for your event.

Why donate to Susan G. Komen for the Cure? Easy answer -- over the past 25 years there had not been a single development in the treatment for breast cancer than has not been touched by a grant from this organization. They fund not only research, but also early detection programs for women who could not otherwise afford mammograms and educational programs to help raise awareness. They are consistently rated as one of the best charities when it comes to getting the money out there doing good rather than spending it on administrative expeneses.

So yes, you could go donate your money to one person going thru treatment and that would be a very nice thing to do (although not tax deductible) or you could work your ass off to raise the $2,300 to help find a cure for this horrible disease. Please keep your negativity to yourself about things you obviously have never participated in.

As for their Sleep in the for Cure -- I think it's a great idea. Not all of us want to get up at the crack of dawn and drive an hour or more to particpate in a 5K walk or run.

Kate

B 5-07-2010 @ 1:16AM

Good night, everyone!

Donna 5-13-2010 @ 11:59AM

I've been doing alot of walks for the last five years, I have severe arthritis, I think Meditation in the park is a great idea to get handicapped and older people involved more in charity events. Its important for all of Americans to care because the goverment can't do it all.