Today's Hero: Jack Orchard
Happy Saturday! Today, November 15th, we celebrate Hero Jack Orchard. Jack began Extra Hands for ALS, an organization that connects high school and college volunteers to people with ALS. This is a fascinating organization and we admire Jack's work in building these bridges.
*Be Well!
Team 2175
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Jack's Bio:
Jack Orchard is the Founder and Chairman of Extra Hands 
for ALS and the Jack Orchard ALS Foundation. Prior to his work in the fight against ALS, he was the founder and Managing Director of various companies including iSpringboard, a venture capital firm, Red Square Software, a software development company, and United Financial Group, now Russia's largest independent investment bank. He serves on Advisory Boards of the ALS Center at the University of California San Francisco Medical Center and the NeuroRestoration Research Initiative affiliated with the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore. In 2005 Jack was named as one of nine finalists in Volvo of North America's Volvo For Life Award which recognizes ordinary people who go above and beyond the call of duty to help others. He has an A.B. in economics from Harvard and an MBA from Stanford.
Jack's experience with ALS and the creation of Extra Hands for ALS:
Jack Orchard, was profiled on the NBC affiliate in St. Louis shortly after the publication of his book, Extra Hands - Grasping for a Meaningful Life. Click here to watch the video: A Meaningful Life
Extra Hands for ALS:
According to their website, "Extra Hands for ALS sends pairs of students to help ALS families with chores and provide companionship for the homebound. The students grow and mature while the families receive much needed help." Click Here to Visit the Homepage
One of the things that Extra Hands for ALS offers is "The Extra Hands Athletic Challenge." According to the website: "The XHAC is a group of athletes around the nation who participate in endurance sports events ranging from 5k runs to Ironman triathlons. Members of the XHAC are required to participate in at least one event per year as a sponsored
athlete." In return for raising pledges on behalf of Extra Hands for ALS, sponsored athletes receive a number of benefits to help with racing.
One of the great stories to come out of The XH Athletic Challenge is that of Becca Katzman, a student who recently set out to ride her bike cross-country. Click Here to view the webpage
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Ben has entered Tennessee! Please donate $1 to help 2175 for ALS reach our fundraising goal.
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