The Starfish

While walking along a beach, a man saw in the distance what looked like a boy dancing.
He was encouraged by the outward expression of someone dancing to the new day on the beach, and he approached the young man. As he got closer, he realized that the young man was actually running, leaning down, picking something up and then gently throwing it far into the ocean.
As he came closer, he saw thousands of starfish the tide had thrown onto the beach. Unable to return to the ocean during low tide, the starfish were dying. He observed the young man picking up the starfish one by one and throwing them back.

After watching the seemingly futile effort, the observer said to the young man, "There must be thousands of starfish on this beach. It would be impossible for you to get to all of them. There are simply too many. You can't possibly save enough to make a difference."

The young man smiled as he continued to pick up another starfish and toss it back into the ocean.

"It made a difference to that one," he replied.

The older man shook his head at the impossible optimism of the young man, and then turned away and walked home. That night, he sat for a long time thinking of the young man, and determined that the young man was really affecting the world and taking action to make a difference. Something that the older man would like to do. That night he slept fitfully. In the morning, he awoke, went down to the beach and found the young man again. Then together, they went along the beach shore tossing starfish back into the ocean.

--Author Unknown

PLEASE HELP ME !!!!!

In The Starfish, the older man determined that the younger man was really affecting the world and taking action to make a difference. That is my goal! If only to one person! Yes, I'm doing it again - I signed up for the 2009 Breast Cancer 3-Day! I had such an incredible experience doing the 3-Day last year that I'm going back for more. I'm so excited about this event, even though this year I really know what I've gotten myself into.

This event isn't easy, 60 miles over 3 days, but I promise you, I wouldn't be doing it if I didn't believe 100% that it was worth every muscle ache, weary night and training walk!

I need your help. I am planning on surpassing the $3,000 that you - my friends and family - gave so generously last time around to help fight breast cancer.

My sister, Linda Jeskie, lost her battle with breast cancer on October 11, 2003. My personal vow is to walk as many Breast Cancer 3-Day walks as it takes for me to raise $51,000. That is $1,000 for every year that my sister blessed this Earth with her presence. Please donate today and help me reach this goal. I walk for your mother, your sister, your daughter, your friend; anybody that you know that has been affected by Breast Cancer.

If you have any questions or want to hear more about what I'm doing, I love talking about the event. Thanks for all of your support. I'm incredibly lucky to have people like you in my life!

Sincerely,

Michael Pierce