An Open Letter to LeBron and the LeBron James Family Foundation

Dear LeBron and The LeBron James Family Foundation,

(my 23rd post on this blog, ironically) Everyone across the world can agree, your Impact is beyond measure!  From the support hugs for Akron's students to trees in Topanga State Park, the amazing things you and your team do daily are inspiring people for life!  I am one of them.

I was first inspired by watching you grow up in Akron, hearing about your stories from the Central Hower High School office and watching highlights from St. VM.  Everyone knew you'd be great, but how great, no one knew for sure...

I then watched you grow as a player for the CAVS!  Our hometown team deserved to have a hometown hero like you-a kid from Akron.

I started hearing more about the foundation as Michelle spoke to our instructional coach group about learning from mistakes and growing up and going away...and coming home too.  I learned more about how you are #morethananathlete with all the philanthropy you and your team are making happen every. single. day.  I don't think there's an award big enough to give you all for the lives you've touched and impacted in special ways throughout your career.

As I started working on the curriculum team for the I Promise School, I learned even more through visits to the LJFF Suite-which is very sweet.  I became even more inspired by the work our team and your team would do to launch the I Promise School...

And that brings me to the staff and student promises.  Our staff and our students take these seriously.  One of  the parts I personally took serious is the message to take time and take care of myself.

I became inspired to focus on being more active.  I have been going to the rec center, meeting with a trainer and working out on a more regular basis.  As a result, I have worked on clean eating and setting goals on becoming more fit.  I think about pushing through the pain as I work out and have gained incredible respect for all the working out you must be doing to stay on top of your game.

I can't thank you enough for all of the support you and the family foundation have provided to me, our staff and most importantly, our students as we move through our first year at the I Promise School.  I am personally and professionally grateful to you in such a heartfelt way I am practically in tears as I write this post.  I truly feel blessed to be a member of the I Promise School Family.

I promise to keep running even when it seems like my tank might be empty.  When the going gets tough, the tough get going...

Gratefully,

Amy Rudd