Hunter McIntosh

Dear All,

In an effort to become less sedentary, to get back into better shape for my wife, my daughter and all my friends and family, I have chosen to take on the Run Disney Wine & Dine Weekend Challenge. It consists of a 10k Saturday and then a half marathon on Sunday. Why might you ask, would a former FSU Track & Field sprinter/jumper being doing distance? Well because I've lost my marbles of course, but also because I am raising money for a very worthwhile cause, The Doug Flutie Foundation for Autism. I mean it is a win win all the way around. I get to raise money for a worthwhile cause and a great former athlete and human beings charity, I get to rub it in all of my friends faces that he beat the "U" with arguably one of the greatest hail mary plays in college football, and in return they get to see me torture myself to fun further over a two day period than I have ever thought about.

In all seriousness though, the foundations mission is to help people and families affected by autism live life to the fullest. With a vision  where people, all around the world, with autism lead productive lives where they are included, respected, and actively engaged in their communities. 

FLUTIE FOUNDATION CULTURE:

The Flutie Foundation community - led by our staff, with feedback from constituents including self-advocates, board members, families served, donors, and volunteers - have identified nine values that guide our work, actions, and behaviors. These values create our unique culture. Our goal is to live up to this culture daily, so that we can better serve people and families affected by autism.

1. Family First: Our own families, as well as the families we serve, are our highest priority.
2. Lead with Mission: Elevating people with autism, and their families, is at the forefront of all
3. Foundation actions.
4. Kindness and Respect: Always treating all members of our Foundation community with kindness and respect.
5. Act, Achieve, Exceed: Be action-oriented, strive for results and achievement, exceed goals and expectations.
6. Extra Authentic: Always go the extra mile for our community, staying true to our own unique style, brand, and mission.
   Celebration and Fun: Bring a spirit of fun and celebration to all we do.
1. Growth: Personal Growth, professional growth, mission growth, revenue growth, brand growth
2. Inclusion and Diversity: We invest in and support inclusive, diverse communities, and strive to include people from all communities we serve at all levels of our Foundation.
3. Dougie's Legacy: All the Foundation's work to improve the lives of people and families affected by autism is done in the name of - and to build the legacy of - Doug Flutie, Jr.

So please take a moment to contribute to this amazing cause and help me reach not only my $5k target, but blow right past it and keep on reaching for the stars, one stride at a time.

Respectfully,

Hunter

Look out 'cause here I come
And I'm marching on to the beat I drum
I'm not scared to be seen
I make no apologies, this is me......

I am a husband, father, out of shape, Proud former FSU Track & Field Athlete who was always focused on jumps and sprints, never anything over a 1/4 mile. Now I'm turning 50, my life is very fulfilling, but taking on an athletic challenge way out of my comfort zone, I am selfishly raising money for this amazing charity to better myself physically. While the charity will benefit from the money I raise, honestly, I think I gain more out of it because of the overall improvement to my health it will "force" me to work on.

In the end, we only have one life to live on this little planet we call home. I want to make every minute as positive as I can. So I'm becoming a distance runner in the second stage of my life and I'm going to raise money for worthwile causes doing Run Disney races moving forward. 

Join me on this journey and help me raise funds to help families with awesome autistic members.

Hunter