On April 9, 2014 twenty-two people were injured during a
young man’s attack in the hallways of Franklin Regional High School. The physical and mental scars still remain with the school but the community support was astounding. Civic groups, businesses, individuals and churches reached out in support to help the community heal from this tragedy. At 8pm on April 15th, only a week later, on the night before students returned to school, individuals and churches
came together to offer prayers upon the school and to share stories and offer
hope for those effected. I was a part of
the group that organized this meeting and it was here that I met some amazing
people including a Franklin Regional alum, Darren Miller.
As a motivational speaker and endurance athlete, Darren has a heart for helping others and he wanted to show his support by doing what he does well; run. Known as the “FR Project 22” Darren and a group of trained runners wanted to run from Franklin Regional High School to the hospitals that cared for the individuals that were hurt during the April 9th event. This run would cover 22 miles on State Route 22 which showed the community support for the 22 people hurt. Darren’s run took place on April 27th and at the April 15th “Sending Back to School” rally Darren was gathering signatures on the “Flags of Hope” that he and others would carry on the run.
In the weeks and months following these community events, I got to know Darren and hear his story of faith, courage and ambition. Darren’s drive to do great things is an aspiration in which we all should have. In 2013, Darren completed the Oceans Seven Challenge which is a completion of swimming seven straits from around the world including the English Channel, the Strait of Gibraltar, the Cook Strait in New Zealand and others. Each of these sections of open-water swimming is more than 10km (6.2 miles) which is the equivalent to a swimming marathon. Darren was only the fourth swimmer to ever achieve the goal of swimming all seven straits.
In the weeks and months following these community events, I got to know Darren and hear his story of faith, courage and ambition. Darren’s drive to do great things is an aspiration in which we all should have. In 2013, Darren completed the Oceans Seven Challenge which is a completion of swimming seven straits from around the world including the English Channel, the Strait of Gibraltar, the Cook Strait in New Zealand and others. Each of these sections of open-water swimming is more than 10km (6.2 miles) which is the equivalent to a swimming marathon. Darren was only the fourth swimmer to ever achieve the goal of swimming all seven straits.
In an effort to raise awareness and monetary support for Children’s
Hospital in Pittsburgh, Darren is using his abilities as an athlete to raise
money through his non-profit, Team Forever.
This organization raises money for the Forever Fund at Children’s
Hospital which helps families pay for medical costs. Darren is not only a great athlete but a
kindhearted philanthropist.
On June 20, 2015 Darren is attempting to make history and
be the first person ever to complete a swimming marathon (6.2 miles) in under 3
hours and in the same day run a land marathon (26.2 miles) also in under 3
hours. There are a few souls that have
tried to complete this feat but none have accomplished it. In the waters and on the land at Presque Isle
State Park I will be offering support for Darren. For the swim I will be paddling a support
kayak and will provide nutrition to Darren as he swims in the open waters of
Lake Erie. Please join me in prayer for
the safety of this great man as he uses his talents and ambition to achieve
what no one has done before. This event is also in honor of Darren’s fiancee’s 11 year old cousin who was recently diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma. Please check out his website at Darren-Miller.com for more information and links to the various
references used are below.
Have a great summer!
Ryan
