The Publication of Habitat for Humanity International | March 2007
| The Publication of Habitat for Humanity International | March 2007 |
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Tax attorney Craig Van Ess dedicates his annual Ironman races to raising money for Michigan's Habitat for Humanity Kent County.
The Grand Rapids resident has always been athletic, playing high school basketball and college varsity tennis. Law school slowed him down a bit, he says, but in the early 1990s, he decided to start running to get back in shape. He's been running ever since. Van Ess estimates that he has run in approximately 120 triathlons to date and has participated in eight Ironman competitions. "It's the ultimate challenge for a triathlete; it's a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike and then a 26.2-mile run." Training for these types of grueling outings represents a considerable commitment of time and resources. One day, somewhere in the Colorado Rockies, a training bike ride took a turn toward community action. "It dawned on me," Van Ess says, "that what I was doing was actually a pretty selfish endeavor. And I just kind of thought to myself, 'How can I turn what is otherwise something selfish into something more selfless?'" After consulting with a few friends, Van Ess decided to try to use his competitions to raise funds for a good cause: the simple, decent housing that is Habitat's mission. He came up with the idea of soliciting pledges only two weeks before a race and--through face-to-face encounters with friends, family, colleagues and church members--managed to put together about $4,500. "I got to thinking after that: What if I had a couple of months in which to exert some energy in terms of raising funds? If I could raise $4,500 in two weeks, what could I do in two months?" Van Ess' efforts took off from there; he decided to dedicate his annual Ironman races to raising money for Habitat. His donor list has grown exponentially, expanding from his first 100 supporters to today's roster of nearly 650. He still meets with some potential donors in person, but also mails out a letter. "I've wanted to keep it really simple," he says. "It's on a blank piece of paper. I sign every letter. And it's doing OK." "OK" is an understatement. This year's effort netted nearly $110,000, enough to sponsor two homes through the Kent County affiliate. The two houses will be built side by side, and Van Ess and some of his donors plan to work on the construction of each, alongside the partner families whose lives they are helping to change. Many people make flat donations, but Van Ess encourages his supporters to pledge per mile. "This fundraiser is what keeps me going these days," he says. Van Ess estimates that a "strong majority" of his gifts are smaller donations. "And that just goes to the fact that, together, we can do so much," he says. "It's power in numbers." (return to main story) |
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