Back On My Feet Founder Up for Hero of the Year

We at Phillyist are longtime fans of local nonprofit Back On My Feet, and now the organization is poised to be a national favorite as well. Founder Anne Mahlum was selected as one of ten finalists in CNN's "Hero of the Year" search for her work with BOMF. The program focuses on giving homeless people in Philadelphia “a sense of community and accomplishment through physical fitness,” and includes daily runs, sponsorships for races, even help with job training and employment. In the short time it's been around (the inaugural morning run was in July 2007) the group has swelled to over 50 homeless members and more than 250 volunteers.

Anne and Back On My Feet has already been awarded $25,000, but if she wins the big one they’ll get another $100,000 in funding! That’s a lot of running shoes, and potentially an awful lot of changed lives. Mayor Nutter and CNN will honor Anne tomorrow at a ceremony at City Hall, and the CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute will air on Thanksgiving night. Help Anne out by voting for her on the CNN website or with the widget above, and also consider giving BOMF a boost with your own contribution. Let's show the CNN we really mean that Brotherly Love jazz.

CNN Heroes and Mayor Michael Nutter Honor Anne Mahlum and runners from Back On My Feet
Thursday, November 13, 12:45PM
Office of the Mayor
Room 202, City Hall