Cleveland resident William Lamb, who serves as the director of the Leonard Center at Lee University, has been affected by various charitable organizations and wants to make a positive impact on them in return. He plans to do that by running in the 26.2 mile Marine Corps marathon in Washington DC on October 26. By running in the marathon and obtaining sponsors, Lamb hopes to raise $52,000—$2,000 a mile—for mission-oriented organizations Serving Paraguay, the Dyar Family Missions in Honduras and Cleveland’s own Leonard Center Food Bank.
“I know people support a lot of good causes and these are three good causes that I’m personally invested in,” he said.
“My contribution is running, although I’m giving, too. Donations are being funneled through Operation Compassion, which provides a financial covering.”
Mr. Lamb, who serves the Cleveland community as a volunteer chaplain with Bradley County Fire Department and Sheriff’s Department, served one tour in the US Marines in the early 80s, stationed in DC on the same streets he will be revisiting as a runner. “We’re all moved by something and I’m moved by people in need,” he said. “I have a real heart to effect change on their behalf and close the gap. There are plenty of people in our local town who are in need of food so I’m running to raise money for the local food bank—and then there’s my heart for missions. I’ve been involved for 28 years.”
Mr. Lamb currently serves on the boards of several international mission organizations and the Governor’s Commission for Volunteerism and Service for the state of Tennessee. His full-time role is director of the Leonard Center, which he said is a “Clearinghouse for all service learning at Lee University.”
“(The Center) creates partnerships with community organizations for students to make a difference through service, local and international,” he said.
Darlia Conn, adjunct music faculty at Lee University, said, “(William) is the right person to do this marathon for this particular cause,” she said. “William has spent himself in helping the less fortunate in our community for many years, long before he became the Director of the Leonard Center at Lee University. This seems to be a great match: the perfect person and an ambitious goal.”
Tennessee State Representative Kevin Brooks added that, “William Lamb is already on the super-hero list here in Cleveland, TN. His work in our city and across our state with those in need is the stuff of local legend – except is all 100% true. William’s work with the State Volunteer Board puts him at a national level. And his work in S. America is truly life changing for those in need.”
For more information, contact William Lamb at 650-6554 or email wlamb@leeuniversity.edu.