By Martie Thompson
editor@floridanewsline.com
Natalie Edmondson is a 1997 graduate of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, so when she heard the news of the killing of 17 students and teachers four years ago, she was affected in a personal way. The tragedy prompted her to want to take action, and when her efforts to help her local community in Iowa were met with indifference, she said she turned inward, faced her own mortality, and realized her health was of utmost importance so that she could continue her efforts to try to make a difference. “I found healing through fitness,” she said. She made lifestyle changes, took up running, and lost 130 pounds. Continuing her journey, she plans to run the New York City Marathon in November as a member of the Sandy Hook Promise marathon team. Now living in NW St. Johns County, she is holding shoe drives, “Shoes for Sandy Hook,” to raise the funds she needs to participate in the marathon. Community members can support her efforts by dropping off donations of gently worn, used, and new shoes at the bright yellow box inside RiverTown’s Riverhouse, 140 Landing Street in St. Johns, before Oct. 15. She lives with her husband Kevin and three children who attend St. Johns County schools.
Q: How did you begin your healing through fitness?
A: I had always enjoyed sports growing up and had run two half marathons. Then, after the tragedy at my alma mater, I felt isolated and ineffective living in Iowa. I became inspired to improve my health. I called the University of Iowa’s bariatric program, which was a lifestyle changing six month program. I eventually lost 130 pounds and now am in the best shape of my life. I found joy in trying new things — road cycling, duathlons, and then thought what’s next? I decided to run a marathon, but only to benefit a charity that I’m passionate about.
Q: How did you decide to benefit Sandy Hook Promise?
A: Every Christmas, my husband makes a donation in my name to an anti-gun violence charity. I came across Sandy Hook Promise and immediately knew their beliefs aligned with mine. Formed by some of the parents who lost children in the Sandy Hook Elementary shootings, they envision a future where children are free from shootings and acts of violence in their schools, homes, and communities. They offer programming for kindergarten through 12th grade, including peer-led Promise Clubs, teach how to identify at-risk behaviors, and maintain hotlines that have already averted 14 school shootings and averted more than 1,000 suicides.
My mission is to continue on with them after the marathon in a volunteer capacity to try to bring their programming to our local schools.
Q: How does the Shoes for Sandy Hook fundraiser work?
A: My goal is to collect 2,500 pairs of shoes and I am well on my way. The amount of money raised is determined by the total weight of the shoes collected. All donated shoes will be redistributed to microenterprise partners through Funds2Org and will be used in developing nations for impoverished people to start their own business. These people are taught how to run a business and sell shoes and allows them to provide for their families. It also keeps shoes out of landfills. It basically allows donated shoes a second chance to make a difference. With the money raised, I’ll be able to donate to Sandy Hook Promise and run in the New York City Marathon on Nov. 6.
Q: How are you training for the marathon?
A: I’ve been running around 20 miles per week and will build up to 40 miles per week as the marathon gets closer. I’m also doing a lot of cross training.
Photo courtesy Natalie Edmondson
Natalie Edmondson
