“It is not a stretch at all to believe that everyone and anyone can uniquely make a powerful difference in this world in his or her community.”
 
Andrew Okashimo, 1/20/2010
 
 
This week’s ExerciseToronto.Com athlete of the week is an athlete with a purpose. Since finding a cause he is passionate about, Andrew Okashimo hit the street’s running – literally – to make a difference.
 
Lacing up his cross-trainers and possessing a goal to raise awareness for the Toronto Sick Kids Foundation, Andrew Okashimo, is running 10 km, six times a week for six months. “Ultimately, my goal is to encourage others, bring awareness (to The Sick Kids Foundation) and assist the less fortunate,” says the Leaside native.
 
Okashimo’s run began on September 21st and will continue until March 21st, 2010, challenging him to take on virtually every running route throughout Toronto. Okashimo originally developed the concept of running six times a week for six months when he became motivated by his volunteer work to go the extra mile.
 
“Volunteer work, as well as running has always been a passion of mine,” says Okashimo. “Combining the two is something I had been thinking of for a while. It took a bit of planning before I proposed my idea to the Sick Kids Foundation but the support has been tremendous.”
 
Andrew’s commitment to community involvement, as well as exercise has created a natural transition for his aspirations of becoming a firefighter. The 20 year-old has been running since he was 13 years old and credits his parents and Terry Fox for inspiring him in his current community endeavors.
 
“Terry Fox is a true hero and will be a lifelong inspiration,” says Okashimo. “My Dad and I have used running as a way to bond, and my mother is amazingly supportive of everything I do. My parents are the two people I look up to the most, and have made me who I am today.”
 
The Toronto Sick Kids Foundation was founded in 1972 in an effort to raise funds for the health and well-being of all children. Their mission is to inspire communities to invest in health and scientific advances to improve the lives of children in Canada and around the world.
 
Setting the bar high with a goal of raising $5,000 for the Sick Kids Foundation, Okashimo is well on his way achieving 35% of that goal to this date through the support of everyday individuals he meets along the journey and his sponsors: Clockwork Productions (Frank Turner), Colin K. Okashimo and Associates and Lands Studio 8.
 
This week’s ExerciseToronto.Com athlete of the week is a true demonstration of an individual making a difference in the community through a passion for exercise and care for others. We at ExerciseToronto.com believe he will continue to serve as an inspiration for all those around him.
 
For more information about Andrew Okashimo, how you can donate and information on his six runs a week for six months, visit his website at http://www.6d6m.webs.com/
 
 
ExerciseToronto.Com Staff