Why I am "Frundraising" and What You Can do to Help

If you have seen my posts on social media the last few weeks, you may have found yourself wondering, "What on earth is 'frundraising' and how can I get Emily to shut up about it already?"

It's a pretty simple concept, really, and a pretty brilliant one, if I do say so myself.

I can't take any credit, though. I was just lucky enough to stumble across Andrew Knight and Michelle Kennemer on Twitter.

These brilliant music therapists and runners had the great idea to try to raise money for the American Music Therapy Association using something we already love to do: run!

So, when you take fundraising, and add running, you get frundraising!

That is how I ended up planning to run this awesome 10k (my first!) October, and I am hoping to raise $1,000 for the AMTA while I train for the race.

That's the basic WHAT of frundraising.

The WHY is simply that I believe in music therapy with all my heart.

I have personally seen so many lives touched and changed in amazing ways through the work of dedicated music therapists. I can't put into words how much I believe in the power of music therapy.

Because I believe in music therapy with a passion that's out of this world, I also believe that the national governing body for music therapists deserves our support.

The AMTA is a music therapist's first line of defense for help with advocacy, starting a program, getting access to quality research and publications, finding a job opening, helping the public find a board-certified music therapist, you name it. The AMTA can help.

Supporting our non-profit organization is one of the very best ways to assure that quality music therapy services continue to reach the clients that need those services.

So, without further ado, I offer you the link to my First Giving page: Panther Run 2013.

This page is a secure and easy way to supporting my frundraising efforts. As an added perk, my highest donor gets to determine what I will wear on race day. It can be goofy, embarrassing, uncomfortable, or maybe even with a shirt or banner for a cause you care about. Oh, the possibilities.

I won't beg (at least not yet!) but I would ask you to consider supporting the AMTA through my frunning efforts.

See you at the finish line!