Charity Miles app makes every step count

I don’t know about you guys, but this Thanksgiving, I have a lot to be grateful for: family, friends, access to basic needs, and Uloop’s generosity in not closing my account despite two months of inactivity (apologies for my delinquency; it’s been an, um, interesting semester).  As a student at one of the country’s top private universities, I recognize that I am incredibly lucky to be where I am today.  In addition to having loving friends and family, as well as a top-notch education, I am fortunate to live a life that affords me security, freedom, and time for leisure, which often includes physical activity.  (While some people on this planet have not eaten in days, I have to exercise to make sure I don’t get fat.  Gee, life sure is rough sometimes.)

Never fear, socially-conscious exercisers: an app has emerged that enables us to contribute to a good cause while working off the season’s turkey and mashed potatoes.  Charity Miles, available for iPhone or Android, allows you, the user, to pick a charitable organization as a sponsor.  For every mile you run, walk, or bike, your chosen charity receives a fixed amount of money.

The organizations currently participating in the Charity Miles fundraiser.

Sounds good, right?  Of course it does, but know that the company does expect you to publish your achievements on Facebook.  Rookie mistake: after running 3.5ish miles this morning and earning 8-point-something “breaths of fresh air” on behalf of The Nature Conservancy, I accepted its sponsorship, only to back out when it required a post on Facebook.  When I Googled the app for research, I found out that publication is necessary for the funds to actually go through.  Charity Miles doesn’t save your progress once you’re done, so my eight breaths of fresh air went up, up, and away into oblivion.  Not cool.

Why is it imperative to advertise?  The Charity Miles FAQ insists that the app is as much about making money as it is about “making a statement” and “spreading awareness.”  More practically, it explains that the increased visibility will lead to the increased usership (is that even a word?) that will lead to the app actually affecting change.  Now that I know that it’s either publish-and-produce or sweat in selfishness, I don’t particularly mind.  Hopefully someone will see Charity Miles on their news feed and, instead of thinking “wow, what a self-congratulatory toolshed!”, he or she will ponder, “Wow, good for him/her.  I’m signing up to do that as well!”

Honestly, when you think about it, accepting Charity Miles sponsorship is a victory on multiple fronts.  For one, you can now technically say you’re a sponsored athlete.  (You know who else is?  Ryan Lochte.  And you don’t even have to wear a grill!)  And even though every time you run, Facebook will let the world know how darned active you are, it will only seem marginally narcissistic; after all, you are helping those in need.  More importantly, a good cause—whether it be services for wounded veterans, feeding the hungry, or autism research—will receive money for your efforts.  And if word gets out and enough people start running/walking/biking for charity, then maybe our miles can add up and make a meaningful difference.

Seriously, guys.  The more people who download the program, the more potential we have to improve the world around us.  You can find the official website here and an FAQ page from the Charity Miles blog here.  Happy app-ing!