It’s that time of year again; spring…a time to start anew…or a time to start over.
For the members of Team AllEars that means it’s time to roll up our sleeves and get to work again as we launch Team AllEars 2014
The Origin of Team AllEars
The Team AllEars Running Team was founded in 2009 to motivate everyone into a healthier lifestyle via the activities of walking, jogging, and running. The team also had another goal in mind as well and that was to do more than just motivate people into adopting a healthier lifestyle. The goal was to serve others who were dealt a challenge…the challenge of dealing with breast cancer.
Team AllEars focused on increasing breast cancer awareness by raising funds for Deb Wills’ Avon Walk for Breast Cancer .
Regarding launch of Team AllEars for 2014, Deb Wills expressed:
“Team All Ears has exceeded every expectation I could have ever imagined. Each year veteran and new runners join together to Run With Purpose – to get healthier and fight breast cancer. Together we can and do make a difference and since its inception, Team AllEars has raised over $220,000 in the fight against breast cancer and touched countless lives through awareness and fundraising. I look forward to this year being the best ever!”
A Family Strong
Every year during the annual Team AllEars Official Team meet at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, team members celebrate their accomplishments of not only completing their goal of finishing their target race for that weekend, but also on how much they have contributed to breast cancer awareness through various means of fundraising.
At the 2012 Team meeting Team AllEars Co-Captain Michelle Scribner-McLean used “family” as the proper word to define what Team AllEars has become over the years. Those words have rung true as this team, this family, continues to do things far above the expectations set when the team was first created.
Team AllEars has become well known in the runDisney world and at every runDisney sponsored race you will always hear runDisney race announcer Rudy Novotny pay tribute to the efforts of the team members and all they do. Novotny has been quoted as saying runDisney “…is better for having Team AllEars out on the roads. All of those that are touched and benefit from AllEars fundraising efforts surely appreciate the blessing you all bring more than you will ever know.”
How Team AllEars Works
The members of Team AllEars commit to walking, jogging, or running in one of the various races held in January, during the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend. These races include a range; a 5K distance (3.1 miles), a 10K distance (6.2 miles), a half marathon (13.1 miles), and finally to a full marathon distance (26.2 miles).
Each team member commits to running “with purpose” and that means a commitment to raise $500 in funds for Deb Wills’ Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. Members are also asked to sign a liability waiver before becoming official members of the team. The team has fundraising experts who assist team members with ideas on fundraising events and, in fact, the entire team shares ideas in this area, which in turn aids towards the success of the team.
Mike Scopa, Co-Captain for Team AllEars, says of the membership, “These folks are tireless in their quest to help those who have been ravaged by this demon Cancer. We and all families have all been victims of this terrible disease and thus we work together to help the fight to snuff it out. I cannot express how proud and in awe I am by the devotion, the effort, and the labor of love each member gives year after year in this cause.”
During Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend the team holds meets and its annual Illuminations dessert party to top off the weekend and celebrate their success.
Team AllEars has much more than runners. It has Team AllCheers who support the Team AllEars runners and their efforts by also attending the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend and rooting them on.
Beyond the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend in January, team members join up throughout the year to run in other races around the country and to enjoy friendship and support.
The Fifth and Final Year for Team AllEars
Earlier this year honorary Team captain Deb Wills and co-captains Michelle Scribner-MacLean and Mike Scopa announced that this would be the final year for Team AllEars and that the goal is to have the best year yet. The call has gone out to have Team AllEars alumni come back and help the team go out with a rousing success.
Everyone who has and will be part of Team AllEars will take with them a legacy that will have them smiling and continuing with their own personal fight to help those who need help in the fight against breast cancer.
So the call has gone out…to our present members…to those who are coming back for one final year…and for those of you who have wanted to be part of Team AllEars and have said, “Maybe next year.”
Well, next year is now. Cancer does not wait until next year…it strikes as soon as it can.
How to Join Team AllEars
Team AllEars 2014 has a limited number of open slots and we are offering these slots to those who would like to join the team.
For you to join the Team AllEars 2014 you must plan to register for at least one of the 2014 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend races.
Secondly, you are asked to commit to raising $500 or more to Deb Wills’ Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, along the way raising breast cancer awareness as well.
Member Benefits
Team members will receive official AllEars® Running Team Newsletters that will feature special articles along with some tips and hints on preparing for the big race.
Team members will be encouraged and welcomed to contribute to the team newsletter with questions regarding training and to share their success stories in the team blog.
If you need help in the form of a coach the Team AllEars Mentor Program is ready to help you achieve your goal.
Team members are encouraged to participate in the private Team AllEars Facebook page (open to members only).
All team members will be invited to special team events during the 2014 WDW Marathon Weekend.
If you would like to become a member of the Team AllEars Running team please send an email to Team AllEars Co-Captain Michelle Scribner-MacLean at [email protected].
This is your last chance to join Team AllEars and become part of an amazing group of individuals who Run with Purpose.
I’m just starting to get into running and I’m looking for the New Balance Disney shoes. Do they sell them on property or online? Any help would be great.
Terry
Any plans for races other that WDW Marathon weekend?
Team AllEars only focuses on the WDW Marathon weekend in January.