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MinesweepersÆ - A Running Charity

Minesweepers®

Minesweepers® is the world's first and only running charity dedicated to raising funds for landmine clearance. This group was started in the fall of 2001 as a project of the United Nations Association-San Francisco Chapter's Young Professional Group. In June of 2002, 16 runners participated in the San Diego Rock 'n' Roll Marathon. Half of the team had never run a marathon and all proudly wore finisher medals. All the funds they raised were sent to a mine affected community in Vietnam. We have a training program for all types or runners and will support you both in your fundraising and training efforts. Our goal is for each team to raise over $30,000 to clear at least one minefield.

October 26th, 2003
Minesweepers® Running in Memory of Marine Killed in Iraq

Cpl. Travis Bradach-Nall

On October 26th, 2003 a team of Minesweepers® ran the 28th Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC to raise funds for landmine clearance. Most of the group had already run a marathon in the past, but all were still apprehensive about running 26.2 miles. However, the team had extra motivation because they were also running in memory of Cpl. Travis Bradach-Nall, a Marine killed while clearing landmines near Karbala, Iraq.

The weather held up as much as their desire to complete their respective goals. The fastest time was 3:40 and all runners waited until the last team member crossed the finished line and met proudly wearing their finisher's medals. The Second Team raised over $11,000 for landmine clearance!

Related Links

Adopt-A-MinefieldÆ is a program of the United Nations Association of the USA, which engages individuals, community groups, and businesses in the United Nations effort to resolve the global landmine crisis.

Minesweepers® Second Team. Standing (L-R): Tim Ketter, Paula Dallas, Christine Kennelly, Kerry Kennelly, Julie Megorden, J. Fernando Corredor (Founder Minesweepers®). Front Row: Susan Lange, Dennis McMahon, John Danielson, Jiea Kim (Not present in picture Michael Becker and Marianna Taubman)

"Reflecting on this journey to raise money for land mine clearing, I have come to the realization that sacrifice is necessary to make change. Progress only comes with the will to implement change.
It is my hope that through my efforts and those of my teammates, we may bring awareness to others of the detriment of land mines and contribute to the clearing of land mines around the world." -Paula Dallas

The Rock & Roll Marathon
June 2, 2002

The Rock & Roll Marathon
All 16 runners finished - most of them their first marathon!

On June 2, 2002 we ran our first marathon together, the Rock & Roll Marathon in San Diego. We had 16 runners from Boston, Hartford, Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco. Half of them never finished a marathon, but with the help of our training program, every single one of them finished. Our biggest fundraiser, Gabriela Soto Laveaga, won a roundtrip ticket to Vietnam!

"The war consequences are very terrible and it is even more tragic for the children. We have tried our best to help the victims to alleviate their suffering. We highly appreciate your group's very kind effort and sentiments to assist the young mine victims in Vietnam."

-- Vu Van Dzung, Consul General of Vietnam in San Francisco

Our next event is the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC on Sunday, October 26. For runner's information, future events, contribution and sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.runningtoclear.org .

Mine Facts

• Landmines are indiscriminate weapons by nature - they do not distinguish between a soldier’s footstep and a child’s footstep. Vietnam has approximatelyh 3.5 million landmines plus tens of millions of unexploded ordnance. Many of these are over 30 years old, leftover from the Vietnam War.
• It costs $3 to produce a landmine and up to $1000 to clear one.
• For every dollar spent removing mines or helping landmine survivors, $4 is produced annually in economic benefit to the local economy.

For more info:

http://www.landmines.org
http://www.rootsofpeace.org
http://www.halousa.org

Minesweepers®

The Rock & Roll Marathon June 2, 2002

Mine Facts

The Rock & Roll Marathon
June 2, 2002