Run Across Palestine Introductions

February 2, 2012

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Dear friends,

Thanks for signing up to receive updates about On the Ground’s Run Across Palestine! In just a few days, the runners will embark on the first leg of their adventure, which starts in Hebron in the West Bank. We’re so glad you’re joining us to follow their journey.

First of all, a few introductions are in order. I’m Jennifer, & I’ll be sharing the travelers’ stories with you throughout the coming week. Read on for brief bios of all the RAP team members.

Team leader Timothy Fitzgerald Young is founder, President, & Chef of Food For Thought, Inc., creators of organic & wild-harvested gourmet specialty & fair trade foods. Timothy was a founding board member of the Domestic Fair Trade Association.

RUNNERS

Born & raised in the beautiful countryside of Lake Ann, Michigan, Randi Lyn works for Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital in Frankfort, Michigan. Randi Lyn started running within the last year—before signing up for RAP, her longest run was a 10k!

David Gardner was raised outside Chicago & now lives in Benzonia, Michigan. He is owner of Westbrook Construction, Inc., a small custom homes building company. David has enjoyed athletic pursuits his whole life & recently took up jogging on a regular basis.

Meryl Marsh of Traverse City, Michigan is the Global Operations Coordinator for the nonprofit Archangel Ancient Tree Archive. Marsh attended Western Michigan University, earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 2004 with majors in Music & English, focusing on classical piano performance & professional writing.

One of the participants in On the Ground’s 250-mile Run Across Ethiopia in 2011, Claire Everhart will be staying in Palestine for six months after RAP to intern with the Palestine Fair Trade Association. In the fall, she’ll attend graduate school for a degree in International Development.

Chris Treter is the owner of Higher Grounds Trading Co., Michigan’s 100% fair trade, organic coffee roasting company & an importer of fair trade & organic olive oil from Palestine. He also founded On the Ground, a nonprofit dedicated to bringing fresh water, education, & health care to those without. Chris also participated in last year’s Run Across Ethiopia.

MEDIA TEAM

Videographer Aaron Dennis’s Stone Hut Studios creates internet videos for good-for-the-world causes, companies & campaigns. A graduate of the University of Michigan’s film program, Dennis has been a part of several national PBS documentaries & specializes in filming, editing & motion graphics.

An independent journalist, editor, & videographer based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Jacob Wheeler edits the cutting-edge video news website TheUptake.org, publishes the Glen Arbor Sun in northern Michigan, & authored Between Light and Shadow, a book about the Guatemalan adoption industry. He speaks fluent Spanish, German, & Danish.

Dennis & Wheeler will produce a 7-part documentary web series entitled “The People & the Olive,” telling stories of hope & perseverance in the West Bank. These videos will be posted along with blog reports at onthegroundglobal.org. After the run, these videos will be compiled & expanded into a short documentary, which will premier in Traverse City, Michigan & later be available on DVD.

Musician Joshua Davis lives in Lansing, Michigan. Brought up on American roots music, Davis blends these traditions with his love for gritty rock n’ roll & vintage soul. Joshua performs & teaches across the U.S. & has produced & recorded many albums under his own name, with roots ensemble Steppin’ In It, & classic swing band Shout Sister Shout.

Extended bios of all the team members are available at http://onthegroundglobal.org/projects/run-across-palestine/the-run-across-palestine-team/. As the team gears up for Day 1 (Saturday), please know that your support has helped make this exciting project possible. Tomorrow, I’ll give you some background info about their route from Hebron to Jenin. Stay tuned for more news from Palestine!

Peace,

Jennifer and the whole On The Ground crew