Emmy winner Eden Riegel (ex-Bianca Montgomery) has found plenty to keep her busy now that she's no longer appearing on All My Children. The actress is training to run her very first long-distance race.
"I am training for the AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA) Disneyland Half-marathon in September," Riegel announced on her official web site. "The APLA is a fantastic organization, providing much needed support and services for people who are directly affected by HIV. In these tough economic times, a lot of great causes have taken a hit. I know times are hard for everyone, but if you happen to be looking for a worthy recipient to donate to this year, I wanted to bring this to your attention and give you an opportunity to support the good people over at the APLA."
On September 6, Riegel will begin her half-marathon race -- that's 13.1 miles -- at Disneyland California Adventure Park and then travels through Anaheim before ending up at the Magic Kingdom.
"The [Disney] characters even come along for the race to cheer us on! Isn't that awesome? Me and Minnie will reunite!" Riegel adds.
Riegel has made a personal goal of raising $5,000 for APLA. While she encourages those who are able to make a donation to do so, she understands that the current economic state may not allow everyone who wants to help to do so monetarily.
"I've never taken part in an event like this and I am totally stoked (and more than a little nervous, too!). I wanted to let you guys in on this but I also wanted to make it VERY CLEAR that there is absolutely no obligation to donate! I know times are tough for everyone right now (I mean, I am unemployed, after all!)," Riegel explains. "And if you can give, great! But even then there is no need to go overboard. Every teeny little dollar counts, and will be put to work immediately by the organization (so there's some incentive not to wait till the last minute). If you can't afford to give anything right now, please do not worry at all. I WILL LOVE YOU ANYWAY! I DO love you, anyway! There are other ways to help, too: for instance, pass this email onto your rich friends an appeal to their liberal guilt! Or just think of me on race day. I know having you guys behind me will give me that extra push towards the finish line! I just though you guys deserved to know since you've always been there for me, and I didn't want to keep it a secret or anything. I need my peeps thinking good thoughts on September 6th if I'm gonna make it through this!"
To make a donation, visit:
http://apla.convio.net/site/TR/Events/NationalAIDSMarathonTrainingProgram?px=1153261&pg=personal&fr_id=1040
Photo Credit: Dan J Kroll/Soap Central
