In November, Good Sam participated in the annual Phoenixville Bed Races, a fun and competitive event that has become a beloved tradition for our community. We partnered with our friends at Ann’s Heart, and together we raised an incredible $40,000 to support our work with individuals experiencing homelessness. It’s always inspiring to see the community rally behind important causes while having a blast!
In past years, I attended as a spectator, cheering on the teams as they raced down the street. But this year, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and become a runner, helping to push the Good Sam bed in the race. For three months, I trained hard—going to the gym consistently and running three miles nearly every day, steadily improving my speed and endurance. By the time race day arrived, I felt confident and ready.
What I didn’t anticipate was just how hard it would be! Sprinting full speed while pushing a bed is no easy feat. Despite my preparation, the race was tougher than I imagined. My legs felt like jelly during the event and for over a week afterward, I was sore—it felt like someone had taken a baseball bat to my legs! I didn’t perform as well as I hoped, and things didn’t go as planned.
It reminded me of the struggles our participants face every day. You can work hard, prepare, and have the best intentions, but sometimes life throws unexpected challenges your way.
But there’s something else I learned that day: it’s so valuable to have people you can depend on when things get hard. There were three other runners helping me push the bed. Without them, I don’t know what would have happened! It’s a perfect reflection of what Good Sam provides to those we serve—compassion, support, and a steady hand to lean on when life feels overwhelming.
Thank you for being part of this mission. Together, we’re helping others run their race—and cross the finish line.
By Nate Hoffer
CEO, Good Samaritan Services
