Hello, my name is Robert Swiderski.

Ten years ago, in 2009, during this time of the year, my life changed forever. The lesson I learned is that people really do care, if they only have the opportunity to express themselves in a meaningful way, for a person or cause they really believe in. I was the recipient of a couple bags of food, just like what the Basket Brigade does for local Families in Need.

As you already know the 2009 recession was a difficult year for many of us. For me, I ended up loosing everything, including my home. While I found myself homeless for 3 months and with little means to support myself, there were people in my life who loved me dearly.

I believe that we are all here for a reason and that reason involves showing kindness to others when there is a need. The Basket Brigade of Suburban Chicago is such an organization that believes in the same by delivering hope to families in need, delivering baskets of Thanksgiving Day meals to local families.

With our goal this year of delivering 2000 baskets, that will feed 10,000 people, this is only possible through the kindness and support of people like you. For every $30 raised, together we can feed a family of five a complete Thanksgiving Day meal.

Besides the work I do year round on the board of this foundation, planning and organizing, I’ll be using the talent and will God has given me to raise awareness for these families in need. On October 5th, I’ll be running in The Hennepin Hundred, a 100 mile race. Within the 24 hours it will take me to finish, my goal is to feed 1 family for each mile I run, putting the total goal of raising $3000 which will support 100 families.

Since each basket will feed a family of 5, together we can feed 500 or more people this Thanksgiving. I ask that you run 1 or more of these miles with me by pledging to support 1 or more of our families. Together, we can and will make a difference in the lives of so many families because we will not only be delivering food, we will be delivering hope.

Along with raising awareness through my running of 100 miles this October, I’ve decided to raise the stakes and put my full trust in God and commit to running in a 200 mile race in the first half of 2020. As a sign of my full commitment I will not be shaving my beard until I’ve run in and completed a full 200 mile race. Needless to say, I am all in, because I believe that I can make a difference and I believe in the kindness of others to stand with me so that together we can show others that there is hope. 10 years ago this single act of kindness changed my life forever…let’s do the same for other local families in need.

You can help me feed families in need this Thanksgiving through the links below, every $30 you pledge will feed 1 family.  

*Note the Legal Name that you will see on the PayPal Screen is The Lorraine M. Walsh Memorial Foundation, which is the official name for the Basket Brigade, for the lady in who’s memory the Brigade was founded.

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The Basket Brigade of Suburban Chicago is a division of The Lorraine M. Walsh Memorial Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charity. Donations are tax deductible. FEIN: 47-5225925.