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Help Melissa raise money

For participating in 2025 Grandma's Marathon Weekend Races

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Support My FundRacing Campaign for MiMS

I took up running three years ago to help my sweet and very energetic dog relieve some of her energy. In time, I ended up loving this sport and now it is one of my favorite hobbies. Last year I began working at Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities with my dog as a therapy team. That is where I was introduced to Mile in My Shoes. I have had the opportunity to see the incredible transformation this charity has had on so many individuals experiencing homelessness. Once I heard Mile in My Shoes was a charity partner, I was inspired to run my first ever marathon. Please consider donating or sharing, to help Mile In My Shoes continue the wonderful work that they do! 

Description

Mile in My Shoes (MiMS) is an official partner of the 2025 Grandma's Marathon and Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon! 

In 2025, Mile in My Shoes will bring the power of running to at least 250 people experiencing homelessness, exiting incarceration, in recovery, or transitioning from military service. Fuel our Member’s ambition to keep putting one foot in front of the other and help them reach their own finish lines by supporting our FundRacing team today! 

Our mission: Running together to transform ourselves, one another, and our communities.

About Mile in My Shoes: Based in homeless shelters, addiction recovery programs and re-entry centers for people exiting incarceration, Mile in My Shoes views running as a tool for both personal and collective transformation. By centering people and spaces historically excluded by the running community, our teams use movement as a catalyst for social justice. By bringing together people from diverse backgrounds, our Resident Members and Run Mentors not only find common ground, but learn from and reach out to one another for support. As we transform ourselves, we transform one another, and we transform our communities. Read some of our Members stories here

We provide all Resident Members with new running shoes and gear, training tools, education, incentives (like a GPS running watch at 20 runs) and a safe, motivating, and welcoming community to support them.  Our Members commit to running with their teams 2-3 times a week, with the goal of completing a 5K race or longer (like the Twin Cities Marathon!). Our teams also participate in social and volunteer activities together. Since 2014, over 1200 people experiencing homeless and other barriers have run their first mile with MiMS, 500 have run a 5K, and 75 have run a full or half marathon. 

Your donation goes directly to providing gear, shoes, race entries and training for MiMS Resident Members:

$20 - Buys winter running gloves and a hat for one Resident Member Runner

$30 - Pays for a running shirt and shorts

$50 - Buys a 5k race entry or pair of running shoes for a MiMS runner

$75 - Sponsors one runner for the City of Lakes Half Marathon

$100 - Covers the cost of a Garmin GPS watch for an Alumni Member

$150 - Sponsors one runner in the Twin Cities Marathon

$300 Covers all the gear for two new Members: hat, gloves, shirt, shorts, socks and shoes.

Recent donors

Donation date Donor name Donation amount
Jun 18 Gina Landsee You ROCK Melissa! $71.23
Jun 13 Joe Traxler $28.63
Jun 13 Karen J Guettler Best of luck Melissa! $55.25
Jun 08 Kristin Hageman Sykes Go Melissa! Undisclosed amount
Jun 08 Melissa Traxler Run your race! $55.25
Jun 02 Jerry & Cindy Amazing achievement! Thanks Melissa for helping those who are in desperate need of a helping hand. $108.50
Jun 01 Matt & Jen $55.25
May 01 Gabe, Logan, & Austin Go Aunt Melissa! $28.63
Apr 29 Sarah Kluenenberg Can't wait to cheer you on! $28.63
Apr 28 Julie Marka Proud of you! Undisclosed amount