You may not know this, but The Oregon Brewery Running Series is about three things: Getting Active, Having Fun, and Giving Back. Our name may lead you to believe it’s all about beer and running, but that’s just how we accomplish it.
We get people active by hosting 5K fun runs that start and end at great breweries. These are family-friendly events where people can run as fast or as slow as they want. It doesn’t matter, partially because it’s not timed, but also because the idea is just to get your body moving. A lot of good comes from that.
The second thing, having fun, also doesn’t need an explanation. Yes, our runs involved craft beer from some of the best breweries in Oregon and now Southwest Washington, but the fun doesn’t simply come from what’s in your pint glass. There’s something inherently enjoyable about getting together with like-minded people. Runners and craft beer enthusiasts are some of the nicest folks you’ll meet. The runners high is real, and we have a blast celebrating the accomplishment of finishing a 3.1 mile run by pairing good beer with great people.
The third thing, giving back, is less obvious, but no less important to us. When Drew and I started this back in the summer of 2016, it was important to us that we partner with non-profit organizations doing good in and for our community. We wanted to help, to give back to the great communities we live in. Currently, 10% of our proceeds go to support the work of The Oregon Brewshed Alliance through Oregon Wild, and also the Portland Parks Foundation, the fundraising arm of the incredible Portland Park and Rec department.
Since we were going to be hosting our first run across the river in Vancouver Washington, we wanted to find an organization operating there that we could get behind. In August, Drew was approached by a friend who was just beginning to volunteer with a pretty cool organization, whose values lined up with ours.
We’re proud to announce a third non-profit partner. Life Vest Inside is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that inspires, empowers and educates people of all backgrounds to lead a life of kindness.
Jason talking with runners at the Ghost Runners event on October 28, 2017.
Today on the Oregon Brewery Running Series podcast, you’ll get to hear my conversation with Jason Hattrick, a local volunteer for Live Vest. He’s also a Kindness Ambassador and a Dance for Kindness Group Leader. His day job is a PE and Leadership Teacher at a middle school in Vancouver. He is determined to equip the Portland/Vancouver metro area with tools to become catalysts to change in the world. We talk about the movement that is Life Vest Inside, what exactly Kindness is, why all of us need more of it in our lives, and a few tips for quickly showing the next person you see a random act of kindness.
LISTEN NOW!
We’d love to invite you to one of our next 5K fun runs that start and end at great breweries in Oregon and now a few in Southwest Washington. November 4 we’ll be at the Hopworks location in Vancouver, and next week, November 11, we’ll be in Tualatin at Stickmen Brewing. Use promo code LVI5, for Life Vest Inside to save $5 on your entry.
About Life Vest Inside
Life Vest Inside was founded by Orly Wahba in 2011 in Brooklyn New York. She produced a remarkable video, showing how one act of kindness can trigger a kindness ripple effect, and make an impact on an entire community. As of today, that video has been viewed almost 28 million times and landed her in the national spotlight with a TED Talk, as well as appearances on The TODAY Show, NBC, CBS, ADWEEK, International Business Times and more.
She is on a mission to unite the world with KINDNESS. The organization she has created is attempting to affect global change and reignite human connection through inspirational media, technology, education, and on the ground social engagement.
Today’s show is the first part of a special two-part mini-series we’re doing on Life Vest. The national Kindness tour is kicking off next week right here in Portland, and next week on the show, she’ll be here, and you’ll get to hear from her as I sit down with her to learn more about her amazing vision.
Resources and Links
Vote now for the KIND Foundation grant for Life Vest Inside. VOTE HERE! Voting ends on October 31.
- Kindness Boomerang Video
- Kindness Boomerang Book
- Kindness Boomerang Tour
- November 4, Run at Hopworks
- November 12 – Dance for Kindness
Big thank you to Jason Hattrick for taking the time to chat with me. I can tell he’s excited to get things off the ground.
Thank you for listening to the Oregon Brewery Running Series Podcast, your home for everything beer and running in Oregon! We host 5k fun runs that start and end at great breweries around the state! If you’d like to join us for our next run, register on the web at breweryrunningseries.com/or and use promo code LVI5 to save $5 off ANY of our upcoming runs.
