You may have seen Butts County native Danny Edmonds running through the Stark Community frequently. He will be using his passion to run to support the very worthy cause of one of his fellow State Farm Agents. Edmonds had no idea that reaching out to a fellow Agent would result in him participating as one of a 50-person team to run in this year's New York City Marathon on November 1. The annual event is viewed by 3.5 million people.
Edmonds is running to support the memory and raise money for scholarships on behalf of the late Mariah Daye McCarthy who was tragically killed in October 2007 when struck by a car driven by an underage driver who had been drinking. Mariah was only 14 when her life was taken in this senseless accident. Mariah's father, Leo McCarthy (a fellow State Farm Agent ), decided even before her funeral that he would try to make good of a horrible situation; McCarthy issued a challenge to the Butte, Montana community to change the culture that accepts underage drinking and turns a blind eye to drinking and driving. Funds are being raised to provide education, create awareness, and provide scholarships through the foundation entitled "Mariah's Challenge."
As an insurance agent Edmonds has seen the devastating effects of people choosing to get behind the wheel after drinking. He knows this is a national issue that affects Georgia as much as Montana and every state in between as well. As a matter of fact, 45 percent of people who die in car crashes involving a drinking driver under age 21 are people other than the driver. Such accidents account for the loss of over 5,000 youth nationally each year.
"I just felt led to try and help in some real way," said Edmonds. But he and his 49 teammates need your help. They are attempting to raise $37,350 for this cause.
"I ask the Butts County community to help me honor my friends daughter and make a difference," said Edmonds. "So here is my challenge to Butts: I will do the hard part running the 26.2 miles and ask you to consider sponsoring me at $1 per mile. That is a sacrifice about equal to a cup of coffee a day for a month. If you would do that I would be so grateful. Thanks in advance for all your help Butts County; I know I can count on you to help!"
As he makes this effort in memory of 14-year-old Mariah, it is even more special to Edmonds because his son will celebrate his 12th birthday on the day of the New York City Marathon.
To donate make funds payable to Mariah's Challenge and mail them to Danny Edmonds at 262 Godsey Road Jackson, Ga. 30233, or PayPal is available along with complete information at the website www.mariahschallenge.com. Edmonds will even pick up donations; call him at 770-775-6746 for more information.