After Superstorm Tragedies, Extra Mile Message Resonates
MARINA DEL REY, Calif., October 31, 2012 – At minimum, millions have lost electricity. At the most extreme, many people have lost their lives. Superstorm Sandy has produced trauma and destruction. When the rebuilding process soon begins, hundreds of heroes will be remembered for their extra mile effort. In the midst of this current tragedy, the message of Extra Mile Day on November 1 bears more significance.
November 1, 2012, is Extra Mile Day across America. Mayors in 359 cities in all 50 states have made the declaration symbolizing the capacity all of us have to create positive change – in every aspect of our lives - when we go the extra mile.
As millions of Americans deal with the aftermath of superstorm Sandy, the “go the extra mile” message reminds all of us that giving up is never the best response to dealing with life’s tragedies and defeats. Extra Mile Day reminds individuals and organizations that we each have the power to create positive change for ourselves and others through a personal willingness to do more, work harder and go the extra mile.
Extra Mile Day was started in 2009 when best-selling author Shawn Anderson completed an ocean-to-ocean bike ride to symbolize the power of the "go the extra mile" message. Along the 4,000 mile journey, Anderson, a non-bicyclist, created events in 21 cities and interviewed over 200 people who had been publicly identified as going the extra mile in overcoming setback or who had risked everything in order to accomplish something extraordinary. After the ninety-day tour, Anderson, a motivational speaker, personally gave away $10,000 to those people whose stories he found especially inspiring.
“As we continue to deal with the devastation of Sandy, going the extra mile reminds us to wipe away our tears when tragedy strikes, rise to our feet, and continue to give life our very best effort,” Anderson says. “Circumstances rarely change unless we create the change…and that’s what going the extra mile is all about.”
From the North Pole, Alaska, to Poughkeepsie, New York, from Honolulu, Hawaii, to Boston, Massachusetts, mayors in small and large cities have made the November 1st declaration. "Life can be challenging," Anderson says. "The 'go the extra mile' message, though, gives people an alternative to just throwing their arms in the air and saying 'I give up.' We each have a choice when life gets tough to dig deep…do more…try harder…and affect practically every area of our life and communities in a positive way."
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For more information about Extra Mile Day, visit www.ExtraMileAmerica.org. To speak to Shawn Anderson directly at Extra Mile America, call 310-402-4826 or email Shawn@ExtraMileAmerica.org.
A map and list of the participating mayors and cities can be found at http://www.extramileamerica.org/extra-mile-day.
The Extra Mile America Foundation is a nonprofit organization that encourages positive attitude and action by empowering individuals, organizations, and cities to "go the extra mile."
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