Oh, what I'll do for charity - Cupid's Undie Run

* I received complimentary race admission.

All views and opinions shared are my own. *

I have decided there is almost nothing I won't due in the name of charity.  I've jumped out of a plane - twice, I've ran into a frozen lake every December many times, and now I can add running in my underwear in February.  This past Saturday, February 13th, in single digit temperatures, I joined around 400 other individual in Mason City, Iowa for the annual Cupid's Undie Run.  This mile long race raises money for the Children's Tumor Foundation that is dedicated to finding effective treatments for Neurofibromatosis (NF) through research.

As the name suggests, the run takes places every year around Valentine's Day and everyone runs in their undies.  Now, being 26 weeks pregnant I decided to wear a little more than just my underwear.  Who am I kidding, even if I wasn't pregnant I wouldn't be wearing just my underwear.  I did style my exclusive "Cupid's Undie Run" underwear (and socks) over my running leggings though ;)  (I think the pregnant belly actually helped me keep warm during the run!)

Members of Team #AmysGift
getting ready for the run
L to R: Eric (Amy's brother), Alicia of
The Pork Diaries, Libbey of Life of Lippy,
Donna of DonnaHup.com and me!
Laura of  Life on SkyView Farms and Angie of
Bee Happy Video were also on the team
but were unable to run with us

This year I ran in memory of my dear friend Amy Hild who passed away last winter.  Amy loved participating the Cupid's Undie Run, so this year a group of the North Iowa Bloggers and Amy's family created a #AmysGift team.  We had so much fun participating in the pre-race activities and running together.  It was a great time to not only raise money for an organization so important to Amy, but also a great time to remember her big smile with members of our team and other runners at the event who also loved and cared for Amy.

Team #AmysGift after the race with Amy's Parents

Thank you to everyone for your support of our team, and a special thanks to Amy's parents who met with all of us before the race, cheered us on during the race and congratulated us afterwards.  It was great to have them with us throughout the day.

As of this posting, the Mason City Cupid's Undie Run has raised just under $70,000 for the Children's Tumor Foundation.  It'd be great to get our run over $70,000.  Donations are still being accepted this week to go towards our goals!

We want to make #AmysGift efforts even bigger for next year.  So maybe you can help us out with pitching some ideas in the comment section.  We'd like to sell something for people to wear at the race in memory of Amy with the proceeds going to the Cupid's Undie Run.  Remember, some people literally run in just their underwear....  Remember to Comment for a Cause!

Comments for a Cause - Cupid's Undie Run Mason City

It's the New Year and start of another year of Comments for a Cause on Corn, Beans, Pigs & Kids.  I've had so much fun the last two years supporting and creating awareness to a variety of organizations and causes that I just had to continue the program into 2016.  As always, if there is an organization or cause that is near and dear to your heart, contact me and let me hear about it.  I'd love to feature it.

In December, my Comments for a Cause donation went to the North Iowa Christmas Cheer Fund.  Throughout the month I had a total of 74 comments, which creates a donation of $37 to help North Iowa families in need.  Thank you for your support!

In the month of January, I am excited to be donating $0.50 for every comment made on my blog to the Cupid's Undie Run Mason City.

Have you ever heard of Cupid's Undie Run before?  I hadn't until last year.  Cupid's Undie Run is a national fundraiser for the The Children's Tumor Foundation, which raises money to help find a cure of a genetic disorder called Neurofibromatosis (NF).  NF causes tumors to grow throughout the nervous system and can cause blindness, deafness, learning disabilities and chronic pain.  Runs take place across the country during the month of February (usually close to Valentine's Day), where people literally run in their underwear to raise awareness and funds!

Amy running in last year's Cupid's Undie Run Mason City
Photo thanks to Cupid's Undie Run Mason City
and Mod Photography

This year I am going to be running in my (long) underwear at the Cupid's Undie Run Mason City on February 13th as part of  the #AmysGift team, in memory of my friend Amy Hild, who loved participating in the run.

The Mason City Run Director is Loni Dirksen, who blogs at Lifestyles of the Pantless and is a fellow North Iowa Blogger.  She got involved with Cupid's Undie Run because she has NF.  Loni said that she "was looking on the Children's Tumor Foundation website and noticed a link for a crazy event called Cupid's Undie Run, so I had to check it out.  At that time the run had just happened and there was a link that said click here if you want it in your city.  Just for fun I filled out the application thinking they would never pick such a small town to have a major event in."  Well, Loni was wrong.  "A couple days later the national director called me and wanted to do an interview.  She asked me about my involvement with NF and about North Iowa - what sets us apart from everyone else.  The national team loved everything from the Music Man, to John Dilinger, to the Historic Park Inn, to our tight knit community and love for one another.  And just like that I became the race director and Cupid's Undie Run Mason City was born!  If you look at the list of cities (that host a run) we are the smallest by far, but very mighty!"

So support me and my team's efforts by commenting on any post all month long.  I'll be making a personal donation to Cupid's Undie Run Mason City at the end of the month based on the number of comments received through the month.  You can also make a personal donation towards my goal by clicking here.  Remember to Comment for a Cause!