Hi Everyone,
Let me tell you what happens when a group of
In[Focus] film makers (and one sewing girl) meet a man who's running cross country from Miami to Los Angeles to benefit disadvantaged children in Uganda. Our waiter was busy quizzing us with trivia from the Movie - Forrest Gump when Milton Miller walked by our table at the Bubba Shrimp Company. Our waiter (Britney) explained to us that he was running cross country to benefit
ECYE.ORG. We were curious... so on his way back around, we asked him about his adventure... I don't think he knew what he was in for, because before he knew it, all cameras were focusing in to document his story.
Milton explained that it started out as a challenge and self improvement. But he quickly realized that simply losing weight and getting in shape were not providing enough motivation to run the 2700 mile across country. To help achieve his goal and find a larger purpose, he found his true motivation in his friend Eden Orfanos. Eden has been going to Africa to help the disadvantaged children in a small village in Uganda. Milton decided to raise money by running cross country to help the organization she founded, The Eden Center for Youth Empowerment.
As he told his story, we realized that the woman he was talking about was right in the restaurant with him and it became their story. Eden explained that it all started with a visit to a school for deaf orphans in rural Uganda. There were so many children that were overlooked, abandoned and abused. Because there were so few social services these children were often sent to orphanages that were not capable (or equipped) to care for them. Eden met one child in particular that really touched her heart, and she knew she had to help. She raised money to build a school for sign language so that the children could learn vocational skills that they would need to survive in their communities. She also started ECYE which is a rapidly growing international charity that identifies orphanages and schools that desperately need assistance.
I was so touched... and as I watched my new film maker friends capture the moment, I knew they would transform the footage into a wonderful short story about Milton's journey. As soon as the film is created, I'll post a link so you can see it!
Not being a film maker I took out my iphone and snapped a photo of Milton and Britney (so I'd have a pic for this post). Talking with Eden afterwards, she got excited when she found out that I was a sewer girl... because there is also a great need for fabric in the village as well. She's going to contact me with more information about that soon... That would be a good job for me! (I'll keep you guys posted on the developments!)
If you're interested, you can check out Milton's blog,
100 Days of Madness, which tracks his progress (and/or make a donation) as he runs from Miami to LA. I feel honored that I had the chance to meet him in New Orleans... some 800 miles from South Beach where he started on December 19th.
