Working a way out of global poverty

Idea exchange
August 2007

Working a way out of global poverty
CARE, the global poverty-fighting organization, has partnered with CBS fitness expert, professional triathlete and best-selling author Eric Harr to launch the I Am Powerful Workout with Eric Harr, a campaign to help Americans achieve their health and fitness goals while taking action to fight poverty by empowering marginalized women around the world.

"Here in the U.S., we are facing an unprecedented health crisis in the form of obesity and physical inactivity. At the same time, women in the developing world are impacted most by the effects of extreme poverty," says Eric Harr, who has put up an initial $50,000 to match gifts to CARE through the workout, committing a total of $1 million over the next five years. "This campaign addresses both of these issues in a very special and emotional way." Harr, who recently traveled with CARE to visit women's empowerment programs in Mozambique, is training for the Ironman Triathlon World Championship in Hawaii in October in order to lead the charge on the awareness and fund-raising efforts.

The idea behind the I am Powerful Workout is simple: seize the moment and empower yourself with better health as you empower women and families in poor communities around the world to improve their lives. Set a goal for yourself whether it's quitting smoking, losing ten pounds or running your first marathon, et your friends and family to sponsor you, and, all of the money raised goes directly to CARE.

Here's how the I Am Powerful Workout works:

Work out with one of Eric Harr's customized training programs , or set your own program.
Raise money for CARE simply by exercising. For every hour you work out, Eric Harr will donate $5 to CARE, up to a maximum of $50,000. Work out five hours this week, and you will have automatically raised $25 for CARE.
Inspire others to join you in fighting global poverty. Follow the easy steps to set up your personal I Am Powerful Workout Web page at CARE Corps Online. When you raise $1 for CARE on your personal Web page, Eric Harr will match it with $5, up to $50,000. Get your friends to donate $50, and the matching gift from Eric will be an additional $250.
Earn prizes along the way. Receive a copy of Eric's book, Goal Digger Fitness by setting up an I Am Powerful Workout Web page. Those who log 100 hours of exercise receive an I Am Powerful t-shirt. People who tell their story online receive the CD: Music to Empower Women.

"The I Am Powerful Workout is an opportunity to take charge of your life in a passion-driven way," says Harr. "Imagine: every step you take is a step towards securing a better life for women in developing countries, who make up 70 percent of the world's poorest people. At the end of the day, women everywhere want the same things for themselves and their families and the I Am Powerful Workout is an easy way to help yourself and others achieve good health and opportunities in life. Taking part provides a big dose of extra motivation to work out and to live fully."

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